Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-06
THE STORIES
OF THE
THREE BURGLARS.
BY FRANK R. STOCKTON.
[CoPYRI6HT, 1891
ICoNTINuED.l

ICONA
al don't think this man suffered for
want Of education" said my wife; "he
used very good language; that was one
of the first things that led me to suspect
him. 1t is not likely that sons of boat
builders speak so correctly and express
themselves so we'll"
s'Of course, i can not alter your opin-
IONS" said Aunt Martha, "but the story
interested me, and very much wish to
hear what that other man has to say for
himself"
"Very WE'LL" said /, ''you shall hear
It, but must drink re- Ca and go back
to the prisoners"
sand l" said Aunt Martha, twill take
some tea to them. They may be bad
men, but they must not suffer"
l had been in the library but few
moments when Aunt Martha entered,
followed by Alice, who bore tray con-
tanning three large cups of tea and some
biscuit.
ssNow, then, said Aunt Martha to me,
eff you will unite their hands, will
give them some tea"
At these words each burglar turned
his eyes on me with quick glance.
laughed
ssHardly," said I. 81 would not be
willing to undertake the task OF tying
them up again, unless, indeed, they
will consent to drink some moro OF my
wine"
(which we won't do" said the middle
burglar, ''Snd that's fiat"
s'Then they must drink this tea with
their hands tied" said Aunt Martha, in
a tone Of reproachful resignation, and,
taking a cup from the tray, she APP
preached the stout man and held it to
his lips. At this act of extreme kind
ness we were all amused, even the
burglars companions smiled, and David
so far forgot himself as to burst into
laugh, which, however, he quickly
checked. The stout burglar, however,
saw nothing to laugh at. He drank the
tea, and never drew breath until the
cup was emptied.
81 forgot" said my aunt, as she re-
moved the cup from his lips, ito ask
you whether you took much or little
sugar"
"Don't make no difference to me-"
answered the man. "Tea isn't malt
liquor; it's poor stuff any way, and it
doesn't matter to me whether it's got
sugar in it or not, but it's moistenin',
and that's what want. Now, madam,
III lust say to you, if ever l break into
a room where you're sleepin' I'll see
that you don't come to no harm, even If
-
ssThank you," said Aunt Martha,
sbut hope you viii never again be
concerned in that sort of business"
He grinned. THAT depends on cir
eumstances," said he.
Aunt Martha now offered the tall man
some tea. but he thanked her very re-
spectfully and declined. The young
man also said that he did not care tor
tea. but that if the maid-looking at
Alice-would give him glass of water
he would be obliged. This was the tirst
time he had spoken. His voice was low
and of a pleasing tone. David's face
grew dark, and we could see that he OBJ
iected 10 this service from Alice.
81 will give him the water myself, :"
aaid Amt Martha This she did, and l
noticed that the mans thirst was very
soon satisfied. When David had been
Refreshed and biscuits refused by tho
burglars, who could not very well eat
them with their hands tied, we all sat
down, and the stout man began his
story. 1 give it as he told it, emitting
come coarse and rough expressions and
. good deal Of slang which would be
unintelligibls to the general reader.
There's no USE" said the burglar,
+sfor me to try and make any of you be-
aieve that I'm pious gentleman under
a cloud, for 1 know don't look like it,
and wouldn't be likely to make out >
easA-