The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-01-10

1 Gll6 ldnulllS JuSb OuISiuc illy OWN uOOL.
] grasped the poker firmly, however
trying to restore my wonted courage
by the pressure of the formidable
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 h;u,l
opened it, and for moment seemed
undecided. Did he have dark lantern
and Il pistol? | could not imagine Il
burglar without such adjuncts. both of
which we're unfamiliar objects to me-;
ard ! shivered as I thought of the adj
vantage which he would have over me
and my poker.
/ Evidently the dark-lantern was not
in working order, however, for he
struck match. The little flame
showed me that the opinion we
had formed of our new ncighbors
| were not unfoundrd upon reason-thiS
was one of them. They were certain
| ly gang of burglars.
He made II 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 were capa-
bic, | struck him on the side of the
: head. He fell like a log to the floor.
HorrOrsi | had killed him!
My renewed screams alarmed the
house and the others were speedily by
my side. l had already lighted the
gas and was on my knees beside the
man that l had struck, vainly en-
deavoring to recall life. My assort-
ment of restoratives, l was after
ward assured, was sufficient to have
revived a dozen swOoning men.
What in the world" began my
brother as he appeared upon the scene.
He was the first to come 10 the room.
30, my burglars Gomez" / ex-
claimed, half Historically, ''but I've
killed him."
wholly unnecessary severity" re.
marked Tom; ''you always overdo the
thing. But the man isn't dead"
AS if to confirm his words, the
burglar just then opened his eyes and
looked inquiringly around him.
''He looks dazed," l whispered to
Tom.
ale has occasion to looked dazed il
you hit him with your beloved poker"
rejoined Tom, pushing me aside and
applying restoratives in his turn; ''put
it where it belongs. and go get me
some brandy or whisky. or something
of the kind. Well have to get this
fellow on his feet before we call the
police"
"I-I-was mistaken, SIR" said the
Al,
very decided manner. Il was mis-.
taken in the house. 1t appears that the
same latchkey unlocks both doors, and
got the wrong one"
"Yes, l think you did," rejoined
Tom, emphatically, aud eyeing him
with suspicion.
The burglar managed to scramble to
his feet, although l could see that he
was still dizzy from the encounter will
my poker. l retired into the closet
and held the door shut-that is, very
nearly.
II think you will do me the favor to
change your mind about sending fol
the police" he said, ''when explain
am employed upon a morning paper,
and am not through with my work un'
til nearly this hour in the morning.
usually walk home, but | took advan-
tage of the new owl cars Tonight and
went to sleep on my way home, hard.
ly waking up when l got out and
walked the half block here. | live nj
415, and | hope that yon will accept
my explanation and apologies and al.
low me to go home to bed. am very
sorry that have disturbed the lady
and probably frightened her."
''lt seems to me-" said Tom, putting
out his hand. "that the lady is perfect.
| ly well able to take care ofherself, and
that YOU ought to know it.n
The stranger laughed IgoOd-natured.
ly.
'She tried to beat it into my head, al
any rate. But you will convey my
apologies to her?'
| The two men went downstairs then
and heard no more. But the blow on
our neighbours head effectually broke
the ice between the two families and
we became firm friends.
| l was married about two years after
the episode of the burglar. My hus.
band declares that he is not afraid oi
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
CHANGED to be at home, they should
come while he is there, he would be
sure of being ably defended.
| P. 81 married proof-reader ON 6
morning paper.