Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06
THE STORIES
or THE
THREE BURGLARS.
BY FRANK R. STOCKTON.
ICoPYRIGHT, 1891
CONTINUED.

"I don't think this man suffered Tor
want of education" said my wife; The
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"
"Of course, I can not alter your opln-
IONS" said Aunt Martha, "but the story
interested me, and 1 very much wish to
hear what that other man has to say Tor
himself"
every WE'LL" said I, ''you shall hear
it. but must drink my tea and go back
to the prisoners"
"And l." said Aunt Martha, will take
some tea to them. They may be bad
men, but they must not suffer"
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.
Snow. then, said Aunt Martha to me,
~sif you will unite their hands, Will
give them some tea"
At these words each burglar turned
his ewes on me with quick glance. L
laughed.
"Hardlv." said I. 81 would not be
willing to undertake the task of tying
them IN again, Mess, indeed, they
will consent to drink some more OF my
wine"
(which we won't do" said the middle
burglar, ''and that's fiat"
s.Then they must drink this tea with
%beir hands tied" said Aunt Martha, In
n tone of reproachful resignation, and'
taking a cup from the tray, she ap-
proached the stout man and held 1t 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 a
laugh, which, however, he quickly
checked. Tho stout burglar, however,
saw nothing to laugh at. He drank the
tea. and never drew breath until the
cup was emptied.
II forgot" said my aunt, as she re
moved the cup from his lips, Ito ash
YOU whether you took much or htsI'
sugar"
ssDon't make no difference to me,
-oDsxored the man. ''Tea isn't mai
1iouor: it's poor stuff any way, and
doesn't matter to me whether it's go
sugar IN 1t or not, but it's moistenin'
and that's what want. Now, madam
I'll just say to you, ii ever break INT
a room where you're sleepln' HI Sc
that YOU dom come to no harm, even
YOU situp in bod and holler."
THANK YOU" said Aunt Martha
4sbut I hone YOU viii never again b
concerned in that sort of business
Ho grinned. ''That depends on Gil
-cumstances," said he.
Aunt Martha now offered the tall ma
zsome tea. but he thanked her very 1T
-spcctfnlly and declined. The youn
man also said that he did not care to
tea. but that if the maid-looking
Alice-would give him glass OF waite
he would be obliged. This was the frs
time he had spoken. His voice was 10
ard of a pleasing tone. David 5 lac
grew dark, and we could see that ne Of
iected TO this service from Alice.
81 will give him the water myself
said Aunt Martha. This she did, and
noticed that the mans thirst was Vel
soon satisfied. When David had bee
refreshed and biscuits refused by Il
burglars. who could not very well @
them with their hands tied, we all S
down, and the stout man began b
STORY. l give it as he told 1T, omltsl'
some coarse and rough expressions al
n good deal of slang which would
unintell;gible 10 the general reader.
s.There's no USE" said the burgl;
-s.for me TO try and make any of you |
aievc that I'm pious gentleman und
a Cloud, for 1 know don't look like
and wouldn't be likely to make out
case"
At this the tall man looked at him We
severely.
"Idont mean to say" he continue
-4sshat my friend here tried any thi
like that. Every word he said was p
fectly true, ns could personally test
dfIwSs called upon the stand, and wi
I'm goin' to tell you is likewise SO
fact.
i'My father was q cracksman, ant
f,rstrate one, too; he brought me up
the business. beginning when was v
small. / don't remember haVin' {
mother, so I'll leave her out. My
man was very particular, he liked to
things done right One day was "
hin and we saw timer mailing . I