Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-12-13

py their hands, their clothing, their
eearlng-and we were afraid they were
not just what they should be. We re-
called certain grewsome stories of
counterfeiters, burglars. and other
criminals, who settle in respectable
neighborhoods, and only excited sds.
2lcion by the unreasonable hours
which they kept.
Was that a step up the stairsp l
listened more Mtehtly, my wandering
thoughts Recalled from all other sub
jects. Surely it was, and that was
another There was burglar in the
house. lsprang out of bed and envel-
oped myself in circular which
CHANGED to be hanging on o chair, DIS |
had worn it out into the rain the pre-
ceding evening, II | was to receive a
burglar was determined that the pro-
prietios should not suffer; / would
have something on besides my night
dress, while II he went to any other
room | could steal along the dark halls
to alarm my brothers, and be less
noticeable in this dark wrap than in
my night-gown.
In spite of my boasted courage, my
heart beat very loudly as the step was
heard once more, and this time upon
the landing i outside OF my own
door. l grasped the poker firmly,
however, trying to restore my wonted
courage by the pressure of that for
midable weapon in my hand. 1t was a
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 enters
the room. What would he do next?
He closed the door as gently as he had
opened it, and for moment seemed
undecided. Did he have dark lam
tern and pistolp Icould not imagine
a burglar without such adjuncts, both
of which were unfamiliar objects to
me; and l shivered as 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 sim
ply struck a match. The little flame
showed me that our suspicious of our
new neighbors were not unfounded
upon reason-this was one of them
They were certainly a gang of burglars
He made step toward the dresser
To reach it he must pass me. He was
J within reach of my arm. | raised my
weapon, and, uttering the loudes
} scream of which my lungs were capa
BILE, l struck him on the side of thu
head. He fell like log to the floor
Horrors! had killed him!
My renewed screams alarmed tn
; house and the others were speedily b,
, my side. had already lighted tn
gas and was on my knees beside tn
man that had struck, vainly endeav
| oring to recall life. My assortment O
/ restoratives, | was afterward assured
} was sufficient to have revived a doze
swooning men.
"What in the world" began m
brother as he appeared upon the scene
He was the first to come to the room
} ooh, my burglars GOMEZ" ex
, claimed, half Historically, "but Nv
killed him."
"Wholly unnecessary severity" re
, marked Tom. 'you always overdo tn
| thing. But that man isn't dead"
As if to confirm his words, tn
burglar just then opened his eyes an
looked inquiringly around him.
"He looks dazed," l whispered t
) Tom.
: HE has occasion to look dazed
you hit him with your beloved poker,
: rejoined Tom, pushing me aside an
, applying restoratives in his turn; ''pr
: it where it belongs, and go get IN
some brandy or whisky, or somethin
of the kind. Wen have to get this fe
low on his feet before we call the pr
/ lice"
l "I-I--was mistaken. SIR" said til
burglar in feeble voice, but with
very decided manner. II was mi
l taken in the house. 1t appears thu
Y the same latchkey unlocks both door
Q and got the wrong one"
"Yes. l think you did," rejoine
t Tom, emphatically, and cycling hi
: with suspicion.
The burglar managed to scramble
his feet, although could see that /
l was still dizzy from the encountt
r with my poker. | retired into tn
n closet and held the door shut-that i
s very nearly.
T II think that you will do me I'll
favor to change your mind about sen,
g ing for the police" he said, "when
; explain am employed upon mornir
u paper, and am not through with N
; work until nearly this hour in the NOR
}; ing. usually walk home, but toe
d advantage of the new owl cars tO-nigl
y and went to sleep on my way HON
/ hardly waking up when got out an
u walked the half block here. live /;
o Ais, and hope that you will accept N
explanation and apologies and allo
> me to go home to bed. am very sorl
e Ihave disturbed the lady and probab
J, frightened her. !"
n ut seems to me-" said Tom, putin