Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-05-01
BRANSCOME'S BURGLAR.
A Nights Experience Which Mr.
B. Never Relates.

Branscome sat In his cozy 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 beatiflc state that is
superinduced in man with clear
conscience and perfect digestion, by
good dinner. 1t is astonishing, really,
to contemplate the influence that the
physical nature of man exerts upon
his moral and spiritual part II per-
son who Is wet, hungry and cold can
feel any spark of love for his fellow
man and show any consideration for
him, warmed and fed that man must be
nm angel indeed.
Branscome 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 fire.
quent occurrence in March in this lati-
tude In the morning the weather had
been damp and clammy and of q par
ticular disagreeable quality for mortal
lungs to inhale. At noon thaw had
set In and the snow-covered streets be-
come mass of slush, and now, at
night, the rain was beating against the
windows and the wind shrieking as II
the concentrated spite of the elements
was to be at once poured out upon the
earth.
Branscome was q Christian man, but
he smiled softly to himself as he pic
tured the discomfort of the pedestrians
who were wading through tho slush,
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
less creatures who might be abroad
shivering 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 shuddered, and laying down the
bright worsted with which she had beer
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 wa'
staring meditatively into the fire wheI
she returned to her chair.
"Dave," said Mrs. Branscome.
"Eh, well, my dear" answered he
spouse.
Martins house was robbed Tuesda,
night, and burglars entered Mr.. Smith
house last night, and, had they no
been frightened away by Mr.. Smitl
lighting the gas to investigate q nois'
he heard in the basement, would, n,
doubt have secured a largo quantit,
Of plunder As it was they took all tn
!. TJNsr in the house."
xs, 9Th was fool to light the gas,
37rcd Branscome.
E'But y dear, he could not investi
gate without light"
"Nonsense Mrs. B. Smith Is COW
ard. Now If burglars should get int
ruy house, what do you think woul
do?"
az don't know, I'm sure" said Mrs
Branscome, with shudder, "but hop
you would do Us Mr.. Smith did, strik
light and frighten them away"
"Yes, or make q target of myself.
think that I'm match for an ordinar
burglar, and / think should try an
surprise him."
Branscome was indeed q match, eve
more than a match in physical strengt
for any common maurauder, and ma
therefore be pardoned for maxim
the statement. OF magnificent propo
tions, he was trained athlete and ha
been the crack oarsman of the colleg
crew, could run, box and fence like
professional.
When Branscome's after-dinner cigs
was naught but q fragrant memory an
the hands of the clock pointed to te
the gas was turned out in the parlC
and, after Mrs b. had inspected tt
fastenings of the windows and doors
the rooms upon the basement floor, Il
dining-room, Kitchen and store-roou
she assembled with her husband to the