The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-05-18
MURFREE'S BURGLARS.

MI l. II Z nUH y DUhUUAh ND.
There is not particle of heroism
about you, Ulysses" said Mrs. Muir
free, as she brushed out her
back hair in front of the dresser
glass, preparatory to retiring for the
night. ''Not PARTICLE" she en-
phatically repeated. Il have known
you to be positively cowardly at
times"
Mr.. Murfreo looked up in weary
way from the corner in which he sat.
Il am sure, my DEAR" he began.
No you're not" snapped his bet
ter half, ''you are not sure, you are
never sure of any thing-you only
think. Bah! l hate man who
only Thinks" and she jerked the
tangles out of a refractory auburn
lock with additional force.
When Mrs. jerks was telling to-
night about that paragon of hus-
band of hers l was consumed with
envy. 1t shows how much to believe
in names. Look at you two men
look, / say!"
'.Yes, my DEAR" responded Mr..
Mul free. pulling off his boots in re-
signed way, I'm looking
. ~'Bah!' retorted his wife. Il mean
your names, Ulysses Murfree-Peter
Jenks-just think of the difference,
and yet Peter jerks knocked burg
lar downstairs this week with one
fist, one, assure you, and you, you
are afraid TO go calling on the Sim
hhorc al 4 p1y hno fho1,
keep a dog
''Well, my dear,' feebly expostu-
Hated Mr.: Murfree, cit is very large
dog, and p
Here Mrs. Murfree suddenly turned
around, and through lips containing
sundry hairpins, combs and such
thrilling articles, Kissed "Don't talk to
me- in such an impressive and dis
.gusted manner that Mr.. Murfree sub
sided at once, and proceeded to finish
pulling off his socks.
He was not disturbed again until
the moment came for retiring when,
contrary to their usual custom, Mrs.
Murfree turned the gas entirely out,
leaving the room in darkness, save
where a streak of moonlight fell
through the window, open for ventila-
*tion.
Now, if there was anything that
MIR. Murfree hated, it was to have the
bedroom gas turned off at night but
. he climbed sadly into bed, and lay
>cogitating a plan whereby he should
be able to shoot a burglar in the dark
should one chance to visit his abode
that night.
just as the city clock was striking
/ Mr.. Murfree awoke with a start
and looked in a dazed way up into
the darkness.
''What's the matter with me?' he
.lnuttered, sensation of uneasiness
creeping over him. Il think-ha!
what's that" and broad awake now,
with the cold perspiration starting
from every pore, he became conscious
OF faint rustic in the room, the cause
OF which the heavy portiere5 draping
the alcove prevented him ascertaining.
Cautiously he reached under the
mattress for his revolver, and, to his
horror, found that after cleaning il
ON the previous day he had carelessly
spot.
sOh Lord! oh, Lord!" he chattore6
to himself, trying to keep cool; enc
revolver, no nothing, and a burglar
sure as fate. Samantha was right.
am a coward; what on earth shall
do. If | awake Samantha will never
hear the last of it-she will nag worse
than ever; besides, she is sure to yell
and then we will all be murdered;'
and then the poor man shook so tina
the springs creaked and sent him int
81 fresh fit Of trembling.
Rustic, rustic, it came again, am
then soft thump and clink.
''He's got my pants,'' ejaculate
Mr.. Murfree to himself, as he eau
tiously sat up in bed and tried t
calm himself.
Thump!
II can't stand this any longer,
said Mr. Murfree in a whisper, be
ginning to get huffy. 'I'm foo
No wonder Samantha said so. I will
certainly find out what is outside {
those curtains, and this time Samar
tina sha'n't have chance to bra
over me. Perhaps shall be able
do something for once"
Keeping we'll away from the seq
aration between the portieres, h
carefully let one foot out of bed.
AS it touched the floor the rust]
sounded again, and SO near that Nj
Murfree nearly lost his balance wit
fright, and found himself on his fe'
the next moment, shaking with alar
lest he had provoked the marauder
r. attention to the alcove or awakene
the sleeping Samantha. ~
But no; all was quiet, and as SOC
as he plucked up sufficient amour
of, courage he peered cautious
5r through the curtains.
With difficulty he depressed an e
eclamation of horror. +. s. as
The moons rays fell across tt
dresser, bringing out each article {
it with a weird distinctness, and ju
in the ,adow before the cheval gla