Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-01-27

voice and very respectful manner, ''they are very tight
 told David to look at all the cords and see if any of them were too tightly drawn.
 ''It's all nonsense, sir," said he, when he had finished the examination; mot one of the ropes is a bit too tight. All they want is chance to pull out their ugly hands,"
 ''Of course,' said Aunt Martha, eff it would be unsafe to loosen the knots I wouldn't do it. Are they to be sent to prison?"
 "Yes," said I; "as soon as the day breaks shall send down for the po- licn.''
 l now heard slight sound at tho door, and, turning, saw Alice, our maid of tho house, who was peeping in at the door. Alice was a modest girl and quite pretty.
 ''I heard the noise and tho talking, sir,'' she said, "and when found the ladies had gone down to see what it was thought would como, too.'
 And where is the cook?" asked my wife; ''don't she want to see burglars?' Not bit of it," answered Alice, very eraphatically; Gas soon as l told her what 1t was she covered up her head with tho bed-clothes and decla1 ed, ma am, that she would never get up until they were entirely gone out of the house." At this the stout man grinned. ''I wish you'd all cover up your heads" he said. The tall man looked at him severely, and he said no more. David did not move from his post near the three burglars, but he turned toward Alice and looked at her. We knew that he had tender feelings toward the girl, and think that he did not approve of her being there.
 "Have they stolen any thing?" asked Aunt Martha.
 "They have not had any chance to take any thing away said; and my wife remarked that whether they had stolen any thing or not they had made 8 dreadful mess on the floor, and had broken the table. They should certain. ly be punished.
 At this she made motion as if she would leave the room, and an anxious expression immediately came on the face of the tall man, who had evidently been revolving something in his mind.
 Madam" he said, i've are very sorry that we have broken your table and that we have damaged some of your glass and your carpet. I assure you, however, that nothing of the kind would have happened but for that drugged wine, which doubtless was intended for Q medicine and not beverage; but weary and chilled as we were when we arrived, madam, we were glad to par. fn1y nf in 0r9iD ir1n I could not help showing little pride at the success of my scheme.
 ''The refreshment was intended for fellows of your class, and am very glad you accepted it.''
 The tall man did not answer mo, but he again addressed my wife: ''Madam," he said, Eff you ladies | would remain and listen to me few moments, I am sure would make you aware that there is much to extenuate the apparent otfense which have con- mitted tonight"
 My wife did not answer him but turn | ing to mo said, smiling: eff he alludes to their drinking your wine," she said, s'he need not apologize" The man looked at her with an expres- sion as if her words had pained him. ''Madam," he said, eff you consent to listen to my explanations and the story of this affair, l am sure your feelings toward mo would not be so harsh.'' "Now, then," said my Aunt Martha, eff he has a story to tell he ought to be allowed to tell it, even in case like this. Nobody should be judged until he has said what he thinks he ought to say. Let us hear his story.'' l laughed. "Any statement he may make," said, twill probably deserve a