Dodge City times., 1889-01-03

and pistol? I could not imagine
burglar without such adjnncts, both cf
which were unfamiliar objects to ne;
and / shivered as thought of the ad-
vantage which he would have over me
ans, nay poker.
Evidently the daFk-lantern was not
in working order, however, for he SIM
ply struck a match. The little flame
showed me that oar new neighbors were
not unfounded upon reason-thls 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. l raised my
weapon, and, uttering the loudest
scream of which my lungs We're capable,
/ struck him on the side of the head.
He fell like a log to the floor. Hor-
rors, / had killed HIN,
Nv renewed scre...As had alarmed the
house and the others were speedily by
my side. had already lighted the gas
and was on my knees beside the man
that / had struck, vainly endeavoring
to recall life. Ny assortment of restor-
atives, / was afterward assured, wac
sufficient to ha -e revived dozen swoon-
ing men.
What in the world - began M
brother as he appeared upon the sceile
He was the first To come to the room
~Oh, my burglars GOMEZ l ex-
claimed, hall Historically, but I've
killed him
Wholly unnecessary severity, re-
marked Tom: Won always overdo the
thug. But that man isn't dead
As il to confirm his words, the burg
lar just then opened his eyes and looked
inquiringly around him.
He looks dazed," 1 whispered to
Tom.
He has occasion to look daZed if YOU
hit him with your beloved poker" re-
Joined Tom, pushing me aside and ap-
plving restoratives in his turn; put it
where it belongs, and go get me some
brandy or VIII isky, or something of the
kind. Well have to get this fellow on
his feat before we call the police"
"I-I-was mistaken, sir said the
burglar in feeble voice, but with q
very decided manner. Il was mistaken
in the house. 1t appears that the same
latchkev unlocks both doors, and l got
the wrong one.
"Yes. think you did, reioined Tom,
emphatically, and eyeing him with sus-
picion.
The burglar managed to scramble to
his feet, although I could see that he
was still dizzy from the encounter with
my poker. l retired into the closet and
held the door shut-that is, very nearly.
Il think that you will do me the favor
to change your mind about sending for
the police" he said, when | explain !
am employed upon a morning paper,
and am not through with my work until
nearly this hour in the morning. l
usually walk home, but L took advan-
tage of the new owl cars tonight and
went to sleep on my way home, hardly
waking mp when | got out and walked
the half block here. / live at 4l5, and
l hope You will accept my explanation
and apologies and allow me to go home
to bed. / am very sorry l have dis
turbed the lady and probably fright
ened her
IL SttilS W Ilt- loli- putting
out his hand, that the lady is perfectly
well able to take care of herself, and
that you ought TO know it.
The stranger laughed good-naturedly.
"She tried to beat it into my head, at
any rate. But you will convey my apo!-
ogies to herr
The two men went downstairs then
and heard no more. But the blow Oh
our neighbor's head effectually broke
the ice between the two families and We
became firm friends.
was married about two years after
the episode of the burglar. My husband
declares that he is not afraid of the
house being entered while he is away,
for my fame must have gone abroad;
while if, under the supposition that my
vigilance relaxed when he Glanced to
be at home, they should come while he
is there, he would be sure of being ably
defended.
z. 81 married proof-reader on q
morning paper.