Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-04-03

give him fortune and reputation, or he
has a startling imagination which, If
used in the production of works in the
romantic school, will be of the same ad-
vantage to his future. Looking upon it
even in this light and without any
reference to his family and the possible
effects on his own moral nature, we
shall assume a great responsibility in
deliberately subjecting such a person to
criminal prosecution, and perhaps con-
viction."
This was enough. "Well," said /, ''we
will release the young fellow and send
the two other rascals to Jail"
''That was not well expressed" said
my wife, "but we will not criticise words
at present"
We returned to the library and I an
nounced my decision. When he heard
it the stout burglar exhibited no emo
ton. His expression indicated that,
having been caught, he expected to be
sent to Jail, and that was the end of it.
Perhaps he had been through this ex,
perience so often that he had become
used to it. The tall man, however, took
the announcement in a very different
way. His face grew dark and his eyes
glittered. lyon are making a great
mistake" he said to me, "a very great
mistake, and you will have to bear the
consequences.
every good" said 1, 81 will remember
that remark when your trial comes on .
The behavior of the young man was
unexceptional. He looked upon us
with face full of happy gratitude, and,
as he thanked US for the kind favor and
the justice which we had shown him,
his eyes seemed dim with tears. Aunt
Martha was much affected.
81 wonder if his mother is livingr
she whispered to me. "a wife is a great
deal, but mother is more. If l had
thought of her sooner l would have
spoken more strongly in his favor
And now you should unite him at once
and let him go home. His wife must be
getting terribly an xious."
The young man overheard this last
remark
"YOu will confer very great favor on
me, SIR" he said, IF you will let me
depart as soon as possible. l feel great
repugnance to being seen in company
with these men, as you may imagine,
from wearing mask on coming here
If 1 leave Immediately l think l car
catch the first train from your station"
l considered the situation. If 1 did
no Il 1Na fxr-r
bound burglars to guard, three women
and child to protect, an uncertain
stranger at liberty, and only David and
myself to attend to the whole business
''No, SIR" said l, 81 shall not unite YOU
until the officers l sent for are near a.
hand; then will release you, and you
can leave the house by the back way
without being seen by them. There
are other morning trains which viii
take you into the city early enough"
81 think you are a little hard or
him." remarked Aunt Martha, but the
young man made no complaint.
81 will trust myself entirely to you
sir" he said.
The officers arrived much sooner than
1 expected. There were five of them
including the chief of police, and they
were accompanied by several volunteer
| assistants, among whom was the milk
man who had been my messenger. Thi:
morning his customers might wait fol
their milk, for all business must give
way before such an important piece o.
| sightseeing as this.
had barely time to unite the young
man and take him to the back of the
house before the officers and their fol
lowers had entered the front door
There was now great deal of question
ing, great deal of explanation, a grea-
deal of discussion as to whether my wa,
Of catching burglars was advisable o.
not, and good deal of talk about the
best method of taking the men to town
Some OF the officers were in favor of re
leasing the two men and then decidine
in what manner they should be taken t.
town; and if this plan had been adoptel
believe that these two alert and prac
teal rascals would have taken them
selves out of my house, without the as
sistance Of the officers, or at least would
have caused a great deal OF trouble anC
perhaps injury in endeavoring to do SO
But the chief of police was of m,
mind, and before the men we're entire
ly released from the ropes by which
had tied them they were securely man
acled.
A requisitlon made on David and my
sen to appear as witnesses, the twt
men were taken from the house to thu
wagons in which the officers and thei
followers had come. Ny wife and Aun
Martha had gone upstairs before th'
arrival Of the police, and were doubt