The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-24
A BURGLARY.
By s. A. WEISS.

"Betty!' called Mrs. Lane, in quick,
sha,p voice.
And the kitchen girl, hastily wiping
her hands on her apron, fastened to obey
the summons.
"Where is the new rubber door mat2"
inquired her mistress. "Did you take ii
in2 l don't gee it anywhere
IL left it here on the porch, mem, just
three minutes ago." replied Betty. "Id
have tuck it in then, only thought I
smelt the tea biscuits burning. Wherever
can it be, I wonder?"
"What brought you to the door three
minutes ago2'
. SIT was boy, mum-leastways lad
with basket of paper and pencils,
and such like trash. I told him as we
didn't want anything, an so shut the
door and left him standin' there"
'tAnd of course he slid the mat off the
porch floor, and then picked it up and
carried it off in the dusk. Run. Betty
around the corner and see if he's any
where in sight"
Betty obeyed; and just then Mrs.
Coleman, who lived next door, chanced
to pass by; and, stepping as usual to ex-
change word with her neighbor, was
informed of the latter's loss.
s.It's too bad!" said Mrs. Coleman,
sympathetically. "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's9 And the attempt to
break in through Mr.. Carter's back win
dows? Mrs. Dyer had her gold watch
and all her silver spoons carried of"
81 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, set to work
to-day and hid everything of value
where I'm sure no thief would ever think
of looking for it. AS to the door mat
a 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"
;. 1.-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, "l'll tell
you what I've done with my things. The
silver I've wrapped in an old pair of
black trousers, and placed in a coal
scuttle, covered over with cinders, at the
head of the kitchen stairs, as if ready to
be emptied. My watch and jewelry, and
a 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
yaluables."
- .'How clever!" said Mrs. Coleman.
y And just then Betty appeared, return
ing from her errand.
"Sure, mem, l don't see sign of that
lad nowheres. Whoever stole the door
mat tuck good care to get out o the
peighborhood as quick as he could. And
there's the tea to make and the kittle
billing over, I'm thinking"
And Betty hurried away to the
kitchen.
"I wish Mr.. Lane were at home"
Mrs. Lane said, wistfully; "but we ex-
pect him tomorrow 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-
night?" suggested her friend.
"Oh, it isn't necessary she answered ,
laughing. 81 expect young Minor to be
in the parlor until eleven or twelve, per-
haps, and after that Maude and must
look out for ourselves.
s'But I thought her papa objected to
the Young mans visits?" said Mrs. Cole
man, who, having been a schoolgirl
t.iend of Mrs. Lane, the two often ex'
changed family condolences.
swell, yes, he has taken prejudice
to him on account of what he calls his
dudishness, though Maude insists that il
is only gentlemanly refinement, and
agree with her. At any rate, make 6
point of not interfering with them wher
Mr.. Lanes away; and Maude insists thai
if only she could make her father bette
acquainted with Mr.. Minor, he would
learn to appreciate him. But wheneve
Mr.. Lane comes in and finds him In th'
parlor, he's as gruff as bear, and Maud
Is, or course, extremely worried"
SOB, dare say it will all come righ
in the end" Mrs. Coleman said, cheerily
And with few more words the friend
parted.
Pretty Miss Maude enjoyed her lover
society that evening untroubled by tn
apprehension that her papa might ut an
moment walk into the room and heart
lessly snub the uuotfending visitor.
She often wished that her father wer
at least more considerate; for had ne no
once cruelty lacerated her feelings b
observing that when he saw young ma
nartlpe his hair in the middle, he rt
garded it as a sure sign that there was
lack of brains underneath.
As she knew how clever and sensib
Charlie really was; and had he not, tn