Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-01-04

gers trembled when pointed to the lit
tie storc-room that opened out Of the
chamber. The keys were there true
enough but I'd like to see any one ex-
cept Uncle Jack or | find them. |
suppose you have heard of such things
as secret panels.
The store-r floor is lower than
the chamber floor. Many a time, when
| haven't been thinking, I've stepped
down with jar that almost sent my
backbone up through the top of my
head.
"In there, ehy said my bold burg
lar, quite cheerful like, and pushed by
me to the open door.
set the lamp down, and my heart be-
gan TO beat SO that | was almost afraid
he could hear it, "Now or never" l
whispered.
1t was all done quicker than you
could say "knife." put my head
down like billy-goat, and ran for the
small of his back "Butted" isn't a
nice word, but that's just how | sent
him flying headlong into the closet. |
heard him 90 down with crash that
shook Mrs. Halstead's biggest jar of
raspberry jam off the shelf.
didn't stop to take breath until I'd
locked the door and barricaded it with
Uncle Jacks big mahogany bureau
just as the lady did in the story. Then
breathed-and listened. What |
heard made my eyes stick out bit.
First | almost felt like crying. Then
l laughed until did cry. | suppose
the excitement made me hystericky.
1t was ten minutes before | reused up
Mr.. Simms, the Constable, and Jared
Peters. who lives next door. Mr..
Simms brought along an old pepper
box revolver and pair Of handouts.
Jared Peters had his double barreled
gun, but, in his furry, he forgot to
load it.
Up stairs we hurried The two men
pulled away the bureau, and Mr..
Simms, who was in the army, stationed
us in our places.
"Look a-here, you feller," Mr..
Smms called out, "the strong arm of
the law is a-coverin' of you with dead
" weapons. Surrender without resis-
tance-Phil, yank open the door,
| flung open the door. Jared Peters
covered the prisoner with his gun. He
was covered with something else, too
Mrs. Halstead's raspberry jam, that
he'd been wallowing round in. He
didn't look proud, for all he was so
stuck up.
Before he could open his mouth, Mr..
Simms had him handcuffed and drag
ged out into the chamber.
There" he said, with IL long breath,
81 guess you won't burgle no more
right away"
"For goodness sake, Simms
don't you know mc-Mr. John Nor
ris, cashier of the savings-bank 2,
That was what the prisoner said just as
soon as he could speak.
Well, I-didn't wait any longer
just bolted for my own room, where
could lie down on the floor. And there
lay laughing until ] was purple clear
round to my shoulder-blades. Then |
went to bed
"Philip," said Uncle Jack, solemnly
while we were at breakfast next morn.
ing, 81 should beg your pardon fol
trying to test your courage in the-the
consummately idiotic way / took to dc
it last night, but"-and he looked pref
| ty sheepish-"I-I think | got the
worst of it"
81 think you did, sir" | answered
him choking bit.
"rhe disguise was good one
though" he went on, with a sort o.
feeble chuckle, "and leaving my false
teeth out changed my voice completely
-eh, PHILIP
eyes, sir-until you hollered out il
the closet that it was all joke, ant
wanted me to let you out" | answered
him, as | got up aud edged toward thu
door.
"Why didn't you let me out then p
roared Uncle Jack, who is rather quick
tempered.
hope wasn't impudent. Truly,
didn't intend to be. Because, Uncle
Jack" said, as | turned the door
knob, 81 have heard you say NOR,
than once that he who cannot take Q
joke should not make one." And as
lodged through the door | heard Uncle
Jack groan.