Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-06-06


watching me as a cat would watch
mouse?
cannot bring myself to believe that
this would be a sensible move. This di-
lemma must be faced and grappled with
in wise as well as a courageous man
ner. This wretch in my room-his life
Is not worth as much to himself, to the
world or to humanity as mine. He has
the advantage of weapons; he is on the
qui vive; he knows that | am awake as
surely as | know that he is in my bed
chamber.
The stertorous putting of locomotive
sounds far away. Those men on that
engine now-they are covered with CRIME
and SCOT; they are risking their lives
daily and nightly. But they are toilers
Wives and children they have, and with
them the honor of women and the life of
man is safe. If were with them now
out on the dreary, drizzling flats, with
the moonlight struggling down on the
pools by the track, should certainly be
safe. Here am surely in danger.
A large wardrobe in the room gives
out cracking sound. as if the man had
shifted his weight somewhere and the
change had caused the boards in the
wardrobe to expand or contract. In the
sitting room all at once some fragments
of anthracite drop noisily down the
feeder" of the the base burning stove.
The curtain flaps. Everything mani
mate seems to be on the lookout On
my hand misty breath of night wind
comes like the breath of human being
Action or inaction? And now, which
is the best kind of bravery? Is it the
forlorn hope quality, which needs not of
danger. but hurries headlong to almost
certain death? Or is it the cool and de-
liberate intent to carry out purpose al
ready carefully matured? Recklessness
may be excused for examples sake, and
true courage will do or die for a friend or
loved ones peril. But in contest of
the kind which will follow if | attempt
violence against this nocturnal prowler
the truest valor is the deliberative and
discreet kind.
am broad awake now and no excuse
can be made for me if yield to rash i'm
pulses against my better judgment. The
situation is plain. The circle of contem-
plation is small one.
AS to the problem, it represents but
three important factors, and they are as
follows; 1t is midnight am awake
there is man in the room.
Although my ears had not caught the
sound of his entrance into my sleeping
apartments feel confident that he has
been there but few moments. am of
an exceedingly wakeful disposition and
the vicinity Of any one in my room at
night, or of even an animal, is almost
Immediately followed by my waking up.
The back door had been securely fas-
tened before went to bed, and the win
dows of the house were too high to be
reached except by means of a ladder. AT
the front door a midnight marauder
would have been too conspicuous. Be-
sides the alley which led into two other
byways afforded a dark and various
mode of retreat in case of either hurried
or leisurely flight He must have en-
tered by way of the back door. To cross
the kitchen floor without arousing me he
must have walked either in his stocking
feet or worn stockings over his Shoes
Now, cannot say truthfully whether
| am what is commonly known as a
brave man if you judge me by a certain
standard. have read of just such &C.
currences as this that am experiencing,
where men have leaped from their
touches at dead of night, grappled with
the thief and overpowered him. They
We're, we will say, brave men. Ger
tainly they We're reckless men. ad-
mire their dash, but am not inclined to
follow in their footsteps. They either
did not think of or did not care for the
questions of arms or advantage. but
boldly risked their lives, regardless OF
these differences
am. to be perfectly frank, afraid to
attempt this sort of an exploit. If this
devil in my room, whom hate with a
deadly hatred, were unarmed then |
would not hesitate to try conclusions
with him, even in the darkness, relying
on my natural strength, grip. qulckness.
and the intensity of my anger at being
awakened from an honest slumber to
solve such a demoniacal puzzle. If by
any possibility should have found this
ltliON uHlItpdIeu anu COull nave hllltu
him like a dog, without giving him the
slightest opportunity | would have done
SO instantly and without the least COM
junction.
But the possibilities even of his ven
turing here at midnight unarmed are
not to be thought of. Such IA theory is
against human experience, against rea-
soning, and is absolutely illogical.
refuse to entertain it.
To recur to the proposition of attack
ing burglar in midnight darkness. II
has sometimes proved a complete sue
cess, sometimes partial one; but often
it has turned out disastrous failure.
If you are wounded, and secure the
burglar you are hero, and the intruder
will doubtless be fifty punished. Mean
while you suffer more or less pain, in
convenience and trouble before you car
return to your business. However, the
admiring comments of your friends are
very sweet.
| R1f lal 60,