The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-01
BRANSCOME'S BURGLAR.
A. Nights Experience Which Mr.
B. Mover Relates

Branscome sat in his coy parlor with
the soles Of his siPpered fcet turned up
TO the FIRE and his hands claSped behind
his head. HIS eyes were shut, and, but
for the wrcathS Of smoke curling from
the fragrant cigar between his lips he
might have been supposed asleep
Rranscome, however, was not mapping.
but was in that bcatific state that il
suprriuduced in a man with a clear
conscience and perfect digestion, 10y q
good dinner. II il astonishing. really,
To cantcmplat. the influence that the
physical nature Of = man cNerts upon
his moral and spiritual part. II n per
son who is wet. hungry and cold can
feel any sparI, OF love for his fellow
man and show any consideration for
him. warmed md fed that man must be
an angel indeed.
Rranscumc always felt NJ peace with
the world aft,- dinner. and upon this
particular night his P"St-praniial con-
tent was augmented Icy thr contrast of
the chccry room. bright with lamp
light and the glow of tue fire. with the
storm that ragged without The day
had been Of that kind which l. OF fire.
uurnt occurrence in March IN this lUti-
tudc. In the morning the weather had
been damp and clammy and OF par
ticuiar diSagrrcaJlc quality for mortal
lungs TO inhalc. At noon a thaw had
set in and the snoT-coyered streets be-
come 4 mass Of sIush, and now, at
night, the rain was beating against the
windows and the wind shrieking as il
the concentrated spite of the elements
was 10 be at once poured out upon the
earth.
Branscome was Christian man, but
he smiled softly 70 himself "a he pic
tured the discomfort Of the pedestrians
who were wading through the slush,
battling with the wind which turned
their umbrellas wrong side out and
tapped their garments about them. and
HrS. 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,
Sbivering and yvretched. for whom
awaited no warm frcside 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
" a. t--A--s 4-ANA bNAL6 6OANAtN ~ SOAhG
crime or TO madness by the contrast
She shuddered, and laying down the
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 mcditatively into the fire when
she returned TO her chair.
ssTNa--a
'Eh, vel, my dear" answered her
spouse.
Martins house was robbed Tuesday
night, and burglars entered Mr.. Smiths
house last night, and, had they not
been frightened away by Mr.. Smith
lighting the gas 10 investigate a noise
he heard in the basement. would, 40
doubt, have secured a large quantity
OF plunder. As it was they took all the
silver in the house"
smith was q fool 20 light the gas "
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 would
do?"
Il don't know, I'm sure" said Mrs.
Rranscome, with shuddcr but hone
you would do as Mr.. Smith did. strike
a light and frighten them away"
Yes, or make target of myself.
think that I'm a match for an ordinary
burglar, and / think ] should try and
surprise him"
Branscome was indeed match. even
more than n match in physical strength
for any common maurauder, and NAV
therefore be pardoncd for making
the statement. OF magnificent proper
tlons, 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
iastenings of the windows and doors of
ne rooms upon the basement floor, the
inlng-room, kitchen and store-room,
he ascended with her husband 70 their
'ed-chamber. The sound of the rain
Illcd them TO sleep and for two or
lree hours the silence of the house was
nbrol1en.
Suddenly Mrs. Branscomc awoke ont
I sound sleep with every sense
lert The door leading from the bed
hamber into the hall was open. Surely
be heard stealthy step in the parlor
Glow. then 2 SLIGHT nni-a ~ ,f-...-, |