Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-10-30
PRICE ONE CENr'

ark, Cyrusl What was thatg"
lthing, Emily. Let me 60 to sleep,

For few moments silence reigned in
the sleeping chamber.
-Cyrus Winterbottom, there's some
body in the housel hear a noise in the
kitchen!"
Cyrus sat up in bed and listened
~Ifs the cat. he grumbled drowsily.
A cat doesn't wear boots and 20
around opening doors Harkln
The baby stirred and Mrs Winterbot-
tom soothed it to rest again.
Il don't see what anybody wants to
get into our kitchen for" growled
Cyrus. with a yawn. ~There's nothing
to-heigh hol--to steal in that part Of
the house, is there?"
Nothing to steali There's plateful
Of tarts, pan of doughnuts, and
sponge cake.
"Some OF your-heigh ho-your own
concoction, Emily9"
Yes, some of my own making. Then
there's all the silverware, and"
He'll never get to the silverware.
Emily. il he tackles the doughnuts first
You will find his horribly distorted body
In the morning"
"Hushl Harkl"
He listened again. All was quiet
But presently an unmistakable sound, as
of somebody moving about on the floor
below, aroused even Cyrus's dull senses.
Steps seemed to be approaching the
stairway. Cyrus took his revolver out
from under his pillow, climbed softly
out of bed, went to the door of the room
and got behind it, first having cautioned
his wife in whisper to make no noise
and leave matters entirely in his hands.
Softly and stealthily came the steps up
the stairway, and in a few moments the
dim light of the night lamp on the dress
ing case fell upon the stalwart form of
a man whose face was concealed by
mask.
Mrs. Winterbottom screamed at sight
of him. the baby woke up and howled,
and before the burglar could recover
from the momentary confusion into
which this unexpected reception had
thrown him Cyrus confronted him with
the revolver
"You internal scoundrell" he Missed.
"Don't you move muscle or I'll put
ball through you.
year or more, and Cyrus knew it. but
the burglar didn't
The pitiful wretch stood perfectly
still.
"Take off your maskl" sternly COM
manded Cyrus.
The burglar complied. With ashen
face and mean hang dog look he stood
there, and said not a word. Mrs.
Winterbottom had recovered her self
possession, but the baby continued to
howl.
1t would serve you right. you sneak
ing contemplate villain, said Cyrus
in deep tragic voice, @if / should shoot
you where you stand. believe I'll do
1t, anyhow.
"Mercyi Mercyl" pleaded the trembling
wretch. "Its the first time ever broke
into house. I'll never do it again.
Please let me go.
@It's the first time you were ever
caught at itl It'll be the last Down on
your kneesl"
"Don't kill him, Cyrusl" begged his
wife "Thnk OF the carpetl"
"Listenl" said Cyrus, coming close to
the kneeling burglar. Hold up your
handsl"
While the fellows hands were up
Cyrus rifled his pockets. He took there
from two loaded revolvers, a bowie knife,
dagger. a slung shot, bottle Of chIoro-
form. and sand bag.
@Your first offense, is it?" said Cyrus.
AFor novice at the business you carry
pretty good kit of tools. Stand upl"
The burglar obeyed.
@Areyo a man of family?"
@Yes sir; Oh, please"
stop your whiningl"
A look OF hard stern relentless puT-
pose settled on Cyrus's face. He pointed
the revolver at the abject scoundrels
head again.
@Go and take that babyl" he com
manded.
"Wh-what for?"
@Never mind what fori You go and
take that babyl"
-Cyrusl" exclaimed Mrs. Winterbot-
tom in dismay, what do you meant
II know what | am about, Emily.
Pick up that squalling infant, you viii
lain"
The man 0beyed
Handle it carefully"
"Yes, sirl"
Snow walk the floor with ftl"
For four long hours Cyrus Winterbot-
tom held that empty revolver leveled at
the head Of the miserable man and com
PEELED him to walk up and down the
room with the crying, squirming infant
in his arms
At daybreak the cringing, crawling
villain was permitted TO sneak away
from the premises. a broken hearted
man.
His raven hair had turned gray in that
one night
II was q horrible retribution, but who
shall say it was not deservedS And thus
we learn, my children, that crime some.
times brings its own punishment, and
that the way Of the transgressor con.
tinues to be hard = Chicago Tribune.
Specimen Cases.
s. II. Stafford. New Cassel, Mis-, was
troubled with NeuralRia and Rheuma-