Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-03-14
Bread Upon the Waters.
BY uoRATIo ALGER, JR.


II was midnight, and the household
of George Grey, wealthy merchant
doing business in Boston, but resident
some miles distant, was hushed in re-
pose. There seemed TO be nothing
stirring in or about the house, yet in
truders had entered the grounds.
These intruders were three in num-
ber-two men and boy.
o They carried u dark lantern, and,
from their evident fear OF discovery,
were upon some business which would
not bear scrutiny. In n word, they
were burglars, and their present object
was to rob the house OF such articles OF
INDEPENDENTLY plate-Rs might
most readily be converted into cash.
Tho two men were darit-complcx-
Toned, and with a reckless expression,
which bespoke no compunctiOus visit
ing5. The boy was, perhaps, thirteen
years of age. OF his appearance we
shall speak, shortly.
Bob" said one of the men, address,
ing the boy, "yOu are lighter than
either of us, and won't make so much
noise. You must get in through that
window after We have lifted it, and
hunt around for the plate. have infor-
nation that it is kept in Il closet leading
out Of the dining room. expect, from
appearances, this is the room, and that
must be the closet
The boy drew back reluctantly, and
VI 4 L..
know don't wish TO be thief"
you can't help yourself, said the
man. eXutingly.
why do you have such a spite
against mep"
because you are continually preach
ing to us about our improper conduct.
Well make you rs bad Us we are our
selves"
Il won't 60"
''YOu wont!' retorted the other, with
an oath. you won't, you rascal, and
we losing time here when we ought to
be doing something! Say that again,
and"
Instead of finishing tho sentence in
words, he presented "a pistol at the
boys head.
Bob was frightened (what boy would
not be?) at the menace implied.
II will CO." said he.
81 thought should bring you to your
Senses" said the other.
This conversation was, OF course,
carried on in a low tone, and the prepa-
rations for entrance were made in as
much silence as possible.
Nevertheless, there were two cir
cumstances which were likely TO inter-
fere with the designs OF the burglars.
In the first place, Mr.. Grey's sleep
ing room was directly over the apart
ment which they were about TO invade.
Furthermore, he had been kept
awake that evening by a severe tooth
ache, which would not permit him to
rest. His wife, who was seeking. by
various remedies, to relieve her hus-
bands PAIN, was likewise awake,
II thought / heard noise down
stairs" said Mrs. Grey, who had de-
,tected the noise made in raising the
window.
Mr.. Grey listened attentively.
He, too, fancied that he could hear a
noise, and rising, slipped on his panta-
looms. Hastily snatching pistol,
which he always kept loaded, in case
of emergencies, he descended, with
cautious steps, to the dining room.
1t did not take long to satisfy Mr..
Grey what was going on.
Bob was at that moment carrying a
piece of plate TO the window, 10 his
''sonfederates.
drop that" he exclaimed, In an ali.
lucrative voice.
At the sound, the two men made off,
,precipitately, and Bob would no doubt
have followed their example, but that
In his haste he stumbled over an otto
man, aud fell headlong on the carpet.
In falling, his head struck agaIns,
the corner of chair, inticting SO VIC
lent blow that he became senseless.
Mr.. Grey hastily lighted the gas.
BY this time, his wife. who had be-
come alarmed at her husbands long
absence, descended, and inquired
,anxiously: "What is the matter?n
"0ur house has been assailed by
burglars; but, fortunately, they took
fright at my entrance, and have al
made off except this boy"
"Surely, you have not shot him" ex
claimed Mrs. Grey, seeing him pros
trate.
mo; he fell over something ant
struck his head violently"
"And is seuseless! We must take
means TO recover him"
So saying, she snatched pitcher o
water from the sideboard, and sprinkI
ed the face Of the boy.
He sighed, and opened his eyes.
We have not yet described him, ant
will do so now:
His hair was OF rich dark chestnCt