The sun., 1889-12-15
THV STORIES or THE THREE BURGLARS.
BY FRANK r. sTocKToN.
Author Of Such Works, for Instance, as
the Lady or the Tiger
A TIMELY TALE.
EcoNT1NuED.l

copvriCh lisa
hoped that my wife would put herself on
ynv aide, and would say that we had enough OF
this sort OF thinRIbut female curiosity is an un-
Known quantity, and she eunhesitatingly replied
that she would like to hear the young mans
story, sat down In despair. It was useless
10 cndenyor to Withstand this yearning for per-
aonAl informatlon-one Of the curses, may
say, of our present civilization. The young
man gave no time for change OF opinion, but
Immediately began. His voice was rich and
rather low, and his manner exceedingly pleas
ing and gentle.
Il wish to state In the first place" said he,
"that am q reporter for the press. In the ex-
ercise OF my vocation have frequently found
myself In peculiar and unpleasant positions,
but nevdr before have been in q situation so
embarrassing, so humiliatinR as this. In the
course Of my studies and experiences have
found that in literature and journalism, as
we'll as In art, one can make true picture only
Of what one has seen. Imaginationlis is all very
we'll often grand and beautiful. but imagina-
tive authors show US their inner selves and not
our outer world; there is to-day'a demand for
the real. and tits o demand which will be satis-
fed with nothing but the truth. I have deter
mined. as far as in me lies, to endeavor to sup
My this demand. and have devoted myself to
the study Of Realism.
with this end In view. 1 have made II rule
never to describe anything have notkper-
sonally seen and examined. II we would
thoroughly understand and appreciate our
fellow beings we must know what they do and
how they do It; otherwise we cannot give them
credit for their virtues, or judge them proper
~ for their faults. II could prevent crime I
would annlhilate 1t. and when IL ceased to exist
the necessity for describinRit 1t would also cease.
But 1t does exist. 1t Is q powerful element in
the lie Of the human race Being known and
acknowledged everywhere. 1t should be under
stood, therefore It should be described. The
grand reality OF which We are part can never
be- truly comprehended until we comprehend
all fits parts But 1 will not philosophize. I
have devoted myself to Realism. and In order to
be conscientious student study 1t in all its
branches. / am frequently called upon to
write accounts Of burglars and burglaries,
and In order thoroughly TO understand these
people and their method Of action deter
mined. as soon as the opportunity should offer
itself, to accompany burglarious expedition.
My sole object was the acquisition of knowl-
edge OF the subject-khowledge which to me
would be valuable and, may say. essential. 1
engaged this man. James Barlow, to take me
with him the first time he should have on hand
an affair Of this kind. and thus 1t is that you
find me here tonight In this company. As I
came here for the purpose OF earnest and
thorough Investigation, will frankly admit
that would not have interiered with his pro-
cesses, but at the same time I would have
seen that NO material injuries should result to
any members Of this family"
That was very kind OF you" said, at
which my wife looked ct me somewhat re-
proachinRly.
If he really intended It." she remarked,
" and do not see why that was not the case
It was kind In him."
''As for me-" said Aunt Martha, very sympa-
theticslly. '' l think that the-studyI Of Realism
may be carried u great deal too far do not think
that there Is the slightest necessity for people
to know anything about burRlars II people
keep talking and reading about diseases they
will get them. and IL they keep talking and
reading about crimes they will find the iniuui-
~ 10 catching the same as some other things.
Besides. this realistic description gets to be
very tiresome II you really want to be q
Writer. young man. why don't you try your
hand on some original composition2 Then
you might write something which would be
Ah. madam" said the young man, casting
his eyes on the floor. 1T would be far beyond
my power to write anything more wonderful
than what have known and seen. II may tell
Tou some Of the things which have happened
10 me. you will understand why have become
that In this world Of realities imagi-
nation must always take a second place."
OF course. We want to hear your story" said
Aunt Mar tina: that's what we are here for"
III was unbound" said the young man,
ooking at me. Il could speak more freely"
mo doubt Of it." said L; but perhaps you
might run away before you finished your story.
wouldn't have that happen for the world"
Don't mako fun OF him." said Aunt Martha.
i was going to ask you to cut him loose. Ebut
'tter what you say think 1t would perhaps be
ust as we'll to keep them all tied until the mar
fatires are completed"
With sigh of resignation the young man |
began his story.
i am American born. but my father. who |
vas civil engineer and Of high rank in his |
Profession. was obliged. when was quite q
mail boy. to 60 to Austria, where he had ex-
ensiTe contracts for the building Of railroads.
n that country l spent the greater part OF my
,oyhood and youth. There was educated In
ne best schools. my father sparing no money
nave me taught everything that a gentle
nan should know. My mother died when I
vas mere infant. and as my fathers vocation
-"ue necessary Tor MIN to travel great
cal my life was often lonely one. For So
ley l depended entirely upon my fellow
cnolars. my tutors. and masters. 1t was my
'tner's Intention however. that when 1 had
nished my studies should go to one OF the
Ieat capitals. there to mix with the world
But when this period arrived was in no
Aste to avail myself OF the advantages ho
nered me. My tastes were studious. my dis
'sition contemplatlye. and I was lover OF
nral life.
MY father had leased an old castle in Car
lthia' not far from tho mountains. and here
O. kept his books and charts. and here no came
u recreation and study whenever his arduouB
utleB gave him o little breathing spell. For
1,eral months had lived at this castle. happy
nen my father was with me and happy when
! mEss alone. i expected soon to go to Vienna,
,,nte[o my father would Introduce me to some
y ais influential friends But day by day
2 4osMtponed the journey
walking one morning q few miles from the
que saw at the edge of a piece OF WOO dland
female figure seated beneath a tree. Ap-
,oaching nearer. / per ceived that she was
,IHhg' and that she was sketohlnR. / was sur
,iSed' Tor knew that In this part of the world
,unR women, at least those OF the upper
aasseS TO which the costume and tastes OF
lS one showed her to belong were not
loved to wander about the country by them
ives but although stood still and watched II
loyoung lady for some time. no com DAnion IL