Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-04

with the grace of French courtier.
"you are punctuality itself. And how
charming mo hysterics-no distress
ing scenes. Allow me-" He took the
candle from my hand, and holding 1t
aloft preceded me down the great
oaken stairs, talking fuently all the
while, but pausing at every other steP
to glance over his shoulder at me Win
coquettish politeness.
81 wish to assure you, he remarked,
"that am no ordinary house-breaker.
Burglary is with mo a profession,
though not the one Il confess) chosen
for me by my parents. l saw, at an
to the level of the burglar, or raise
him to the level of an artist. Behold,
my dear lady, the result"
He stood at the foot of the stairs and
looked up at me.
''Shall we proceed to the dining
room?" he asked airily; "and, as
wish to give you no unnecessary trou-
BILE, let me say that do not dabble in
plated spoons; nothing but solid sill
ver."
1 opened the old mahogany side
DOuIu III WHICH, iihtY iol ftuiS,
placed the family heirlooms at night,
and beheld my gentlemanly burglar
stow them, enc after another, in ca
/. pacious felt sack, which he carried in
his hand.
"Charmingl" he cried. 81 am a
f connoisseur, | assure you, and know
silver from plate. These articles are
, really worth the risk of the enterprise. I"
You ask me if l was not alarmed.
No, / was not. Personal violence was
not in his professional line, unless op-
posed. I summoned all my energies
, to outwit him. I thought much and
> said little, for had no intention of al
, lowing him to carry off my mother s
e silver.
= After having rihed all the rooms OF
oil the moet valuable articles, he re-
&c turned to the dining room.
n On the table the remains of supper
}: still stood, consisting of fowl, hard
RS ly touched, some delicately cut bread
lie and butter, cake, and glass jar con
/, tanning some fancy crackers
y 81 will make myself entirely al
e home," he remarked, sitting down to
the table, and helping himself to a
# wing of the chicken.
: "Really," he proceeded, '1 have
e thoroughly enjoyed this evening. Not
Q only have [ met most charming lady,
n but have been able to prove to heI
le that the terms gentleman and burglar
10 may be synonomous.
a. He now began on the cake. Ipushed
the cracker jar toward him. "Try
1t them" observed.
ID Still smiling indulgently, and talk
3, ing, he took out one of the crackers
,r and began to nibble on it. 1t wa
10 very dry.
y rose, and in absent minded man
II ner placed on the table the remains oi
a bottle of old Burgundy, which hat
y been opened the day before.
"Now, really" he prattled, "rm {
g very harmless man five months out o
lg ski never steal unless other mean
fail, or tailor's bill comes due. I'm
st respectable citizen and.-a churc
lg member in good standing when Tn
he not on one of my professional tours
ps 1 took up burglary more as resourc
than from necessity. Candidly speak
ing, now, am l ruffian?"
"No" l replied, looking directl
ng at him. "On the contrary, you are
n very tine-looking man"
e. glow of vanity spread over hi
~ face. poured out glass of the Bur
ell gundy and pushed it toward him.
m England to Wales" he cried will
gallantry. 81 don't generally drink,
re he added, "but these crackers make
J. me thirsty"
If eff could only find wife suited
n to my tastes" he unused, ''such {
woman as you are, by Georgel II
a give up aesthetic burglary and settle
n down to quiet domestic bliss" He
n looked questioningly at me. "If'-
Il he hesitated-" could be sure
e would abandon my profession--woul,
|. you-do you think you could--con
d done my past and--marry me?"
g THAT is matter for consideration,
% l replied.
It He helped himself to another cracker
e 'Your proposal is SO startlingly uni
y que, | continued, ''to marry one'
y burglar Really it is quite joke"
: "Isn't it?" he chuckled, evidently
: enjoying the idea of the oddity. ''W'
e are kindred spiritsl" he exclaimed
convivially, but was interrupted by
s violent fit of coughing.
Seizing the bottle of Burgundy, h
d drained the only drop or two left.
g 81 think, maybe, there's anothe
IL bottle down in the cellar" l cried
e artlessly. 'Tll go down and sec
feel thirsty myself.
r "We will descend together" ex
If claimed my burglar, gallantly taking
i the candle from my hand and follow
ing me to the door leading to the Gel