Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-04
THREE,
James Harry Smith in the New York
Mail and Express.

., A USUAL THING,
!. |
M when they cracked a
| u Ilhl crib. one Of the three
HfHxIM1NiM ID remained outside tc
,%%1. VA warn with q whistle
| mr. lIIH1 E,U1, or some other pre-
llL2lL/ NlWl viously concerted sig
! M ksSA NILy nal. his companions
MIN SIUMfIl 1 inside. But on this
'|LWEID ~ y occasion when Jim
| II ,,hMh1 Baxter opened the
VMHll simple catch that
'lMlTlp~ fastened the wood
" @Fi" shed door. and thence
gained access to the
interior OF the house. Wilson Graham and
Harry Montgomery followed after him.
| This breach of burglarious custom was
probably due to the fact that the Braith-
wait mansion was in the suburbs, some dis
| lance from the road. and several hundred
| yards from the nearest house.
Once inside. Mr.. Graham lighted the gas,
and it was then the work Of a very few
| minutes to open the sideboard and subtract
therefrom the family silver and place it in
bag brought for that purpose. While this
operation was taking place. Montgomery
| made a tour to the upper rooms.
n don't exactly like to trust Harry up
q
after he had securely tied the mouth of the
bag. He is too soft Like as not he'll 60
and git sentimental over a picture or some
thin. or maybe git a-thinkin' Of his mother
and leave half the ornyments."
Graham, who had just opened a pearl
inlaid secretaire, and was possessing him.
self of numerous valuable trinkets laughed
softly as he replied:
Il don't think so, Jim. Only yesterday
gave the boy good talking to, and ne
ofrto
future. You must remember he il young
ard, unless we give him a chance, how Is
ne to learn? or course, IL there was o
young girl in the house-but there isn't
ne added quickly, observing the wrathfuf
frown on his companions face Il made
certain that the only people who sleep In
the house are MIR. Braithwait and the
housekeeper. who is rather old and nearly
GEAR; the rest of the family are in Florida
for their health. II Braithwait makes q
disturbance l reckon Harry can settle him
| without any sentimental nonsense"
I'd settle him, muttered Baxter surlily.
You're savage, Jim," said Graham re-
proachfuiiy. How often have l told you
that there is no virtue in violence. Haven
convinced you that the easy way is the
safe way?"
said Baxter contemptuousiy. II amt no
missionary"
AT this juncture, when the argument
threatened to develop into quarrel, peace
young burglar, carrying a considerable
quantity OF jewelry, loose and In boxes
while he softly whistled "MAppari"
Not a bad haul" observed Graham
turning over the plumber as 1t lay on the
"a Bile. Two watches?'
They're them little tickers what the
girls carry" said Baxter scornfully. I'VE
won't get 81 apiece for en-"
Won We, though said Graham, smii-
Ing. They are gold. and there is an in
scripion on each; that means a fancy re
ward or don't know human feminine ma
ture. Two brooches, q necklace-h'm-h'm
very good, indeed
There was no money" remarked Harry
adjusting his necktie before the mirror, ana
giving his small blond mustache a curl.
expected as much" commented Ora
nam, slowing away the trinkets in his
pockets. "Braithwait has q hundred with
MIN, dare say. but 1t isn't worth the risk.
II we XIII man in the city it's soon for
gotten, but in the suburbs 1t creates a reg
ular panic. The neighbors hire detectives
ana follow man all over creation and you
can't buy them OFF or compromise the mat
ter-money is no object That's why keep
telling jun
| roughly. Il amt KILN anybody, am IT,
certainly not; but only say
say nothin'! Where's the feed boxT"
Mr.. Graham groaned and looked at his
young accomplish in comical alarm
Il knew how it would be. Jim, these
iuncheons will be the ruin OF US all some
night
Can't help it, retorted Baxter. logged
ly
It's good four-mile walk from the city
and as much back, and we hadn't anything
but snack for supper. A mans got to
eat and when I'm hungry
We'll, well" said the other, with a gest-
ure of impatience. IF 1t must be, 1t must
Harry, see to the wine, and we will find
the substantials. Now, Jim, do be careful
OF the dishes. and don't grunt and pun
while you're eating. It's vulgar
Jim Baxter grunted and pulled at this,
but made no other reply he busted him
self spreading the contents of the refrigera-
tor ON the dining room table, while Harry
from the sideboard produced a decanter CT
whisky and three bottles of claret There
was a nice piece of cold ham. some tongue
cheese and pickles, bread and butter, an
chovies and sardines, a bottle Of olives and
the remains of an oyster pie.
Quite a lay out remarked Baxter, with
ravenous chuckle. Dye remember the
house at BarIeytown, where there WASH t
nothin' but graham crackers and vinegar
in the boX?"
Il should say So" exclaimed Graham
with look of disgust
Some people are too mean to live" re-
marked Baxter savagely Come. shove
over that decanter and let's pitch in. Fin
gers, gents, cause there amt nothin' but
silver knives and forks in this house. I'm
less / take 'em out of the bag, which /
amt dom. Here's luckr
Excellent caret Wilson" said the youne
burglar, holding his glass up to the light,
Genuine Medoc," returned Graham with
the air of connoisseur. That's the worst
OF this business; not one gentleman out Of
ten Is judge of wine. Now, the whisky"
The whisky's all right" INTERRUPTED
Baxter curtly. IAN whiskys good; some's
better'n others, but it's all good. Blow
claretr'
No style about Jim." said Harry, with
a smile that was half a sheer.
NO. you bet there amt" said Baxter,
stoIidly.
You oughter call me old Business
cause that's what 1 am. Pass them
pickles"
1t was a most interesting sight. At the
head of the table sat Graham a smooth
faced, well-fed man Of forty, who might
nave passed for prosperous banker, or q
man living On an annuity; to his right re-
cltned, rather than sat- young Montgom-
cry. spruce and slender fellow with soft
blue eyes. tremulous lips and light hair
neatly brushed: while opposite Graham
sat Baxter, coarse, shaggy, grlmy man of
uncertain age, with small shifty ewes a
heavy beard and a general air of brutal
strength. Had it not been for the fact that
each man wore his hat, and that the bag
or stolen goods lay on one corner of the
table. 1t might have been taken for a stag
party, Graham personating the host to
perfection.
The resemblace was lost however A
moment later. The door leading to the
back stairway, directly behind Jim Baxter
opened and revealed a spare man. with
long blond whiSkerS wearing cold