The Russellville Democrat., 1886-01-28
MAS nR A BURGLARi

l When the housemaid at Colonel R0s- siter's locked up the hoiise for the night she saw . man wearing cap, who seemed to be reconnoitering. She said nothing about it because she believed the house to be invincible to burglars, and she was sleepy and did not want to l go the rounds again. So she left the hall light burning, as was the custom. and vent of to bed in the part of the house where the other servants slept, dismissing the circumstance from her mind as of no importance.
 A few hours later window rattled 1 in a lower easement. Mrs. Rossitcr heard it and called her husbands atten- ton to it. He yawned sleepily and said as he turned over:
 ..The wind is rising; it will be a rough night on the lake"
 l Thus treasured Mrs. Rossiter fell asleep again.
 The window went on creaking, nlittle at time, then a long rest, then it was 1 softly showed up and head was thrust in, and pair of keen eyes took 8 I searching look at the rooms which the hall light made plainly discernible. There was nothing frightful about the head. It was rather a good-looking, boyish head, with closc-cropped, nut ] brown hair, covered by an old cloth cap. The face had fine features, white and distorted, it is true; tho thin lips were compressed with fierce decision, han lsome throat, and following these 1.-the, sinewy body, that sprung. cat like and vigilant, into the room, and stood there erect and alert.
 Then the midnight intruder did Q strange thing. He went straight into the hall, as if he belonged there. and turned on the gas. After that he walked to the parlor mantel and looked ct portrait that hung above it, one of Colonel Rossiter in full regimentals As he looked a smile, or sheer, dis torted the burglars face-if he were g burglar and he muttered curse and turned from that picture to otbers-a handsome woman, worldly-looking and fashionable; two lovely children; then a blank space on the wall, as if 6 picture had been taken down. At this tho burglar dug his finger-nails into the palms of his hands and gritted his teeth. Then he turned sortly away and went upstairs.
 Up, up, each step protested loud against the unhallowed intrusion he laid his hand on the banister-it groaned at his touch. At the top he hesitated moment, and then turned to the left. It was plain he knew the way Either he had been there before, or con spirators had given him a plan of the house. A light burned low in the room be entered, going softly like cat or panther, or other dangerous beast of preyl Two children lay sleeping on the lace pillows of white bed--two fair, happy. healthy children in pretty ruff fled night-gowns open at the throat They lay in the sweet confusion of childish slumbers, tumbled and tossed; their pink skins moist with the health of refreshing sleep; their rosy lips hal4 in- closed like dewy rosebuds; little pufs of fragrant breath disturbing the dimples In regular rhythm. What had this bad man to do with these children that he leaned over them and wrung his hands, and drowned and dashed tears from his hardened eyes?
 Oh! surely, he cannot mean-but no
 as noiseiessly as he enters. he departs, but as he goes he stumbles over the shoes placed side by sidc at the door. One baby sleeper half waxens, murmcrs Mamma, and with sigh of satisfac- ton drops away again into a Heaven of Dreamland.
 The man goes into another room, a large, stately apartment, luxurious in all its appointments. The door is closed. but this man knows how to open it, softly, rcmorselassly. and he steals in, and there too, burns soft, chamber light. But he does not lingerbere. He gives one keen glance at the gray head lying on the pillow. He looks away from the other pillow. steps softly across the room. fumbles little, and comes out swiftly with some dark object clasped in either hand. He breathes hard; his nostrils are distended; drops of water stand on his face. His right hand clutches something with vise- like grip. The left hand Is clenched over small object that is clasped con- vulsively; one holds loaded and cooked revolver. the other pocket-book full of money.
 Then he is a burglar!
 Just as he reaches the door the man who is asleep stirs; he has had an ugly dream about wayward son whom he has disowned and disinherited-- if a father dare ever disown his own flesh and blood. He dreamed that his boy was with him holding him by the hand and calling him .'Papa;' telling him of school pranks and mistakes over which they both laughed; asking for advice and help which he gave willingly. From this dream hc passed into another. His boy was in a convict's cell, and as the father stood before him broken h arted he was taunted with having placed him there. The boy had turned accuser q I said vehemcntly:
 s.You never loved me. You were sl- ways too busy making money te hear my wants. You and my mother owed e duty to society. l was left to ser vants This is the fruit of your own