Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-07-03
A BURGLARY.
EY S. A. WEISS.

"Betty!" called Mrs. Lane, in a quick,
sharp voice.
And the kitchen girl, hastily wiping
her hands on her apron, hastened to obey
the summons.
"Where is the new rubber door matt"
inquired her mistress. "Did you take it
inl l don't see it anywhere. "
Il left it here on the porch, mem, just
three minutes ago." replied Betty. "Td
have tuck it in then, only thought l
smelt the tea biscuits burning. Wherever
can it be, wonderl"
''What brought you to the door three
minutes ago?"
1T was boy, mum -leastways lad
with basket OF paper and pencils,
and such like trash. l told him as we
didn'. want anything. an so shut the
door and left him standin' there"
"And of course he slid the mat of the
porch floor and then picked it up ami
carried it of in the dusk. Run. Betty
around the corner and see if he's any
where in sight"
Betty obeyci; AMI just then Mrs.
Coleman, who lived next door, CHANGED
to pass by; and, stepping as usual to ex
change a word with her neighbor, was
informed Of the latter's loss.
"It's too bad" said Mrs. Colemin,
sympathctically. "And it was only yes
terday that some thief stole lot of linen
from Mrs. Smiths back yard, where it
had been left little late on the clothes
line. And did you hear of the burglary
a: Captain Dyer's? Aud the attempt to
break in through Mr. Carriers back win
dows. Mrs. Dyer had her gold watch
and all her silver spoons carried off"
II read about it in this mornings
papers. The editor said there is no doubt
Of a gang of burglars in the city, and
cautioned people to be on their guard.
So, as Mr.. Lane is away, l set to work
to-day and hid everything of value
where I'm sure no thief would ever think
os looking for it. As to the door mat
beautiful one that I bought only this
morning-it is owing to Betty's careless
ness that it is lost.
"Well, keep my valuables for the
present in my bedroom, tucked in be-
tween the mattresses, as the safest place
] know of.
The safest place" said Mrs. Lane,
laughing. "Why, my dear, that is al
ways the first place, after the bureau
drawers, that burglar thinks of going
to. Now" lowering her voice, "Ill tell
YOU what I've done with my things. The
silver I've wrapped in an old pair of
black trousers, and placed in coal
scuttlc, covered over with cinders, at the
head Of the kitchen stairs, as if ready to
be emptied Ny watch and jewelry, and
roll of bank notes, I've hid away in a
mantle vase in the parlor, filled with dried
grasses. OF course they're perfectly safe
for YOU know no thief would ever
dream of looking in such places for
vaiuables.
"How cIeverl" said Mrs. Coleman.
And just then Betty appeared, return
ing from her erraDd.
"Sure, mem, | don't see a sign of that
lad nowheres. Whoever stole the door
mat tuck good care to get out o the
neighborhood as quick as ne could. And
there's the tea to make and the kittle
billing over, I'm thinking"
Aud Betty hurried away to the
kitchen.
"I wish Mr. Lane were at homel"
Mrs Lane said, wistfully; "but we ex-
pect him to- morrow by the seven o'clock
train, in time for breakfast.
''If you feel uneasy, why not get one
OF your nephews to stay with you to-
night2" suggested her friend.
"Oh, it isn't necessary" she answered,
laughing. ~ expect young Minor to be
in the parlor until eleven or twelve, per-
haps, and after that Maude and must
look out for ourselves" !"
"But 1 thought her papa objected to
the young mans visitslp said Mrs. Cole
mln, who, having been a schoolgirl
friend OF Mrs. Lane, the two often ex-
chaoged family conddsnces.
swell, yes, be has taken a prejudice
TO him on account of what he calls his
iuiisaness, though Maude insists that it