Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-31
THE MYSTERY OF ARABELLA VILLA.


| ilts Decn running some three years now
and \ is quite success; but il was very
uphill work at first. got the billet be-
cause ! was said to be wonderful
organizer. have organized lots OF
things. The first thing organized was
the benefit for Sig. 1'remolo on the oc.
casion of his losing his voice. 1t was a
thoroughly genuine case that-Bob
Wackles really had lost his voice. To
me and his personal friends he was Bob
.Wackles; to the public lie was Sig.
Tremolo. Well, organized that mon
ster benefit of his. We took St. James
Hall and Adolphus Pushard's name as
honorary secretary Il declined to take
a larthing for my services) appeared on
innumerable posters. We turned money
away from the doors; every seat was
sold on the evening of the performance.
But had spent too much in advertising
and Sig. Tremolo was Els out Of pocket.
l regret to say he has ceased to know
me now; there is terrible amount of
base ingratitude in this world. Then |
organized the Imperial House boat
Floating Hotel Association. We were n
limited company; we bought some old
barges cheap and we converted them
into households by means of Willesden
| paper But we were wrecked by the
vulgarity of the British public; our Gus
toners used to poke their fingers through
the partition walls of the state rooms
and make rude remarks to the guests
next door.
But the Anti-Burglar Security Asso-
citation has, am happy to say, turned
Out tremendous success. My poster
did it, my artful poster On my poster
a gentleman and his wife were "discov-
cred" in bed smiling blandly; there was
masked burglar of ferocious aspect
presenting revolver Mt them. Beneath
was the following legend: Burglar;
Good evening. Have you used Pears
soap?" Mr.. Careful; "No, sir, We have
not; but, being insured in the Anti
Burglar Security Association, we must
request that you will effect your pur-
pose quietly and not disturb our peace
full slumbers." That poster did it, but |
worked like horse. Whenever rob
berry took place l or my canvassers
called on the neighborhood in detail,
making what is termed house to house
visitation, which is an expressive phrase
| borrowed from another business In
which | was at one time engaged. We
iGRDCh ~ mai Nthl VI Ill
surers. Of course, made all my friends
and relatives insure. | believe that in
time bolts and door chains will become
perfect drug in the market When
asked my friend Tom Shiftless to insure
he laughed aloud.
Nobody would think ofburgllng our
little place, Dolly" lie said; "why,
we've only got 100 pounds worth OF
valuabcs at Arabella Villa. There's
Aunt James teapot, there's my wifes
christening mug, and the whole Of our
plate and jewelry might make up the
the amount It's hardly worth insuriug.n
swell, it's only six shillings, Tom
said. ENSURE yourself for hundred; it
cant do You any harm, and every fresh
name is of vital Importance to me just
now"
81 wouldn't loose Aunt James teapot,
Tom, for worlds" burst in his wife.
Women arc SO absurd; they think, if
they insure their lives, that people live
longer; they think that people who in
sure their property never have fire
OF course, we talked Tom over between
us.
81 do it, said he, "just to oblige you,
because you're my chum, Dolly.h
"rom," | replied, with chuckle, 81
hope, for your sake, that you'll be
burgled within the week. We are most
liberal in our settlements"
Then we all three laughed, and little
Mrs Shiftless declared that, if she saw a
burglar, she thought she should die of
fright. [ had a final cup of tea out Of
Aunt James teapot and took my leave.
Some six months afterward my dear
friend, Tom Shiftless,. called it our
offices to see me. | kept him waiting
outside a good while, to impress him
with my new fledged dignity. When
he entered my sanctum | indicated
chair, and went on writing for full two
minutes, letting him SEQ what u busy
fellow | was.
"Now, old man." l said briskly, put
ting down my pen, "what can do for
your Tom, be brief and as concise as
you can, for my time is, as you know,
the property of the Anti-Burglar
Security Association"
"Can you lend me ESQ, Dollyy" he
said; 81 can't be more brief than that"
such are the penalties of greatness.
In the old days he would never have
thought of asking for more than five.
"Tom," said little solemnly, as
Stunning my director-of-the-B ank-of-
England manner. II am deeply grieved.
Had you called but half an hour ago
could have obliged you. The very sum
You mention have Just advanced to an
impecunious friend, Fifty pounds |
devote annually to the cause of friend
ship and of charity. But | am man
of rule, Tom; | limit myself to ESQ.
When my friend returns il, it is very
much at your service. Till then, my
dear fellow, regret that | cannot help
you" Then began to wash my hands |
in the air, as l have seen the hard |
hearted millionaire do upon the stage
"What on earth am | to doyn said |
poor Tom. 1--WE owe half years rent,
the butcher won't give lis any more
credit, and things are very bad with u.s.
| changed the subject, and Itried to
cheer him with soft words, Il dry biscuit |
and glass of the secretariaI sherry. |
He had 4 second glass, and the poor iel-
low went away smiling. As soon as he
had left the room, touched my electric
bell. A clerk appeared
"Should that gentleman call again.
l said, you can tell him that | have
gone into the north on business"
The clerk knew what | meant.
1t was just week after that that
claim for indemnity was laid upon my
office table. II ran as follows:
10 he Anti Bulytdr Security Associatiou-
! regret TO inform you that
my house was entered last night by I'M
armed burglar. lie has stripped the place
Of valuables, Of which send you an ~.
proximate list. There may be possible
additions; but my wife has been too much
frightened to assist me in making the in
ventory One silver teapot, s22 los; one
silver christening mug, 70 5s.i twelve sill
yer tpugnonnS