Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-11-22

1
be. We recalled certain zone
stories of counterfeitsrs. hur| 8 sn.l
other criminals who settls il zpe6
table neighborhoOds. and q zeited
suspicion by the unrsason kou1s
which they kept.
Was that a step on thl sis.7 I
listened more intently. ny .lsf;aa
thoughts recalled from al nj <ssb
jects. Surely it was. ans 4 xaa
another. There was bur ii the
house. I sprang out n \ ia u.
velOped myself in Cir 4 rbicz
chased to - l.s-g - - =
I had worn It out into The rain the
preceding evening.
In spite of my boastsd courage. my
heart beat very loudly as the step was
heard once more. and this time upon
the landing just outside my own door.
grasped the poker firmly. however.
trying to restore my wonted courage
by the pressure of that formidable
weapon in my hand. 1t was q plain,
heavy bar of iron. at which the others
often laughed, declaring that it must
make me tired to rake the FIRE.
The knob of the door turned slowly
and cautiously, and the burglar eu-
tered the room. What would he 30
next? He closed the door gently as
he had opened is. and for a moment
seemed undecided. Did he have
dark lantern and a pistol? / could
not imagine a burglar without such
adjuncts, both of which were equally
unfamiliar objects to me; and l shiver-
ed as l thought of the advantage
which he would have over me and my
poker.
Evidently the dark lantern Was not
in working order, however, for he
simply struck match. The little
flame showed me that our suspicious
of our new neighbors were not un-
founded upon reason-this was one Of
them. They were certainly gang OF
burglars.
He made step toward the dresser.
To reach it he must pass me-. He was
within reach of my arm. 4 10Y
apon, and ptterirsn@ ~,
BILE, / struck him on ths5l( sihe
head. He fell like a log to tie floor.
Horrorl I had killed himl
Ny renewed screams alarmed the
house, and the others were speedily
at my side. l had already lighted thu
gas, and was on my knees beside ,h''
man l had struck, vainly endeavoting
to recall life. My assortment Of les
torstives, was afterward assured,
was sufficient to have revived dozen
swooning men.
"What in the world" began my
brother as he appeared upon the scene.
He was the first to come to tie
room.
"Oh, my burglars comel" exeI"im
ed. half hysterically, "but I've billed
him."
wholly unnecessary severity" Ee-
marked Tom; "you always overdo th'
thing. But that man isn't dead"
As if to confirm his words, the burg
lar just then opened his eyes and look
ed inquirirgly around him.
"Hs looks dazed," ! whispered to
Tom.
He has occasion to look daz ID il
you hit him with your beloved poker.
rejoined Tom, pushing me aside aud
applying restorative= in his turn; put
it where it belongs and 60 he, int
some brandy or whisky or some,hing
of the kind. VII have to Ct this
fellow on his feet before we call the
police"
"I-I-wss mistaken, sir, saii lhc
burglar in a feeble voice. but with :.
very decided manner. 81 was mis-
taken in the house. It appears i!la;
the same latch key unlocks bo,h
doors, and I got the wrong one.
"Yes. 1 think you did," njrir,d
Tom. enphaticAlly. and cycling him
with suspision.
The burglar managed to scraablr
to his feet, although I could see iha,
he was still dizzy from the encou, Ter
with my poker. ! retired into the
closet and held the door shut-thai Is,
very nearly.
81 think that you will do me the
favor to change your mind about send
ing for the police" he said, "wisn ]
explain. / am employed upon a
morning paper. and am not through
with my work until nearly this hour
in the morning. ! usually walk home.
but took advantage Of the owl cars
Tonight. and went To slAan on my