Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-02
BRANSCOME'S BURGLAR.
A Nights Experience Which Mr..
B. Never Relates.

B. Never Relates.
Branscome sat in his coy parlor with
the soles of his slippered feet turned up
to the fire and his hands clasped behind
his head His eyes were shut, and, but
for the wreaths of smoke curling from
the fragrant cigar between his lips, he
might have been supposed asleep
Branscome, however, was not mapping
but was in that beatific state that Is
superinduced in a man with a clear
conscience and perfect digestion, by L
good dinner 1t is astonishing, really,
to contemplate the influence that the
physical nature of n man exerts upon
his moral and spiritual part. If per
son who is wet, hungry and cold can
feel any spark of love for his fellow
man and show any consideration fer
him, warmed and fed that man must lie
an angel indeed
Branscomc always felt at peace with
the world after dinner, and upon this
particular night his post-prandial con-
tent was augmented by the contrast OF
the CHEEKY room, bright with lamp
light and the glow of the fire, with the
storm that ragged without. The day
had been of that kind which Is OF ire
ouent occurrence in March in this l2t'-
tude. In the morning the weather h2d
been damp and clamny and of q par
ticuiar disagrceablc quality for mortal
lungs to inhale. At noon a thaw had
set in and the snOw-covered streets be
come a mass of slush. and now, Mt
night. the rain was beating against tlH
windows and the wind shriclling a II
the concentrated spite of the elements
was to be at once poured out upon the
earth.
Branscome was I Christian man, but
he smiled softly to himself as he pic
tured the discomfort of the pedestrians
who weEe wading through the sluah,
battling with the wind which turned
their umbrellas wrong side out and
tapped their garments about them, and
Mrs. Branscome, who sat opposite her
husband and was gazing lovingly at
him, smiled also.
Mrs. Branscome's mind, too, had been
making an excursion into the darkness
and storm. She thought of the home
less creatures who might be abroad,
shivcring and wretched, for whom
awaited no warm fireside and good
cheer, and her tender heart grew sad.
Then she pictured some brutal, half
starved wanderer gazing in upon them,
as they sat surrounded by luxury and
warmth, and being goaded to some
crime or to madness by the contrast.
She shuddcrcd, and laying down tho
BRIGHT worsted with which she had been
working, smiled as we have before re-
lated, and arose to draw the curtain.
Branscome opened his eyes lazily,
watched his wife's movements and was
staring Ipeditatively into the fire when
she returned TO her chair.
Dave" said Mrs. Iiranseosne.
''Eh, well, my dear" answered her
spouse.
Martins house was robbed Tuesday
night, and burglars entered Mr.. Smith S
house last night, and, had they not
been frightened away by Mr.. Smith
lighting the gas to investigate noise
he heard in the basement, would, no
doubt, have secured a large quantity
of plumber As it was they took all the
silver in the house"
Smith was fool to light the gas, 4"
answered Branscome.
But, my dear, he could not investi-
gate without light"
Nonsense! Mrs. B. Smith is a cow
ard. Now if burglars should get into
my house, what do you think l would
do9''
81 don't know, I'm sure" said Mrs.
Branscome, with shudder, but hope
you would do as Mr.. Smith did, strike
a light and brighten them away"
''Yes, or make target of myself.
think that I'm match for an ordinary
burglar, and I think l should try and
surprise him."
Branscome was indeed match, even
more than a match in physical strength
for any common maurauder, and may
therefore be pardoned for making
the statement. Of magnificent proper
tions, he was a trained athlete and had
been the crack oarsman of the college
crew, could run, box and fence like a
professional.
When Branscome's after-dinner cigar
was naught but fragrant memory and
the hands of the clock pointed to ten
the gas was turned out in the parlor
and, after Mrs. B. had inspected the
fastenings of the windows and doors of
the rooms upon the basement floor, the
dining-room, kitchen and store,roOm,
she assembled with her husband to their
bed-chamber. The sound of the rain
lulled them to sleep and for two or
three hours the silence of the house was
unbrollen.
Suddenly Mrs. Branscome awoke out
of a sound sleep with every sense
alert. The door leading from the bed
chamber into the hall was open Surely
she heard stealthy step iP no PGrlor
below, then a slight noise, as though
some one unfamiliar with the room had,
in the darkness, stumbled against some
article of furniture.
"Daver" she cried, in a terrified
whisper, at the same time Selling him
by the shoulder. "Wale up, Dave,
there is some one in the house"
Branscome sat up in bed, sleepily
rubbing his eyes. The sound was re-
peated and he was wide-awake in an
instant.
He placed his hand over his wife's
mouth and said in a whisper: ''Lie
perfectly still, and whatever happens
do not strike . light or make sound
until call to you"
''Oh, Dave" began his trembling
wife.