The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-11-10

tOOatu up ~ u1t.
".5hall we proceed 10 the dining.
roomT he asked airilyI ''and. as
wish to give vou nc nnrece==.-;. .-c:::
bile, let me say that do not dabbie in
Plated spoons, nothing but solid sill
~. rs -v--.rs-. =
opened the old mshogany side.
board in which GrifIitbs had, for years,
PLACED tho fersily heirlooms ut night.
apd beheld my gentlemsnly burglar
stow them, enc after another, in ca
Pacious felt sack, which he carried in
his hand.
"Chsrmingi" he cried. 'T am 1.
connoisseur, / assure yon, and know
silver from plate. These articles are
really worth the risk of the enterprise
Yoh nsk md if ! was no. alarmed
No, l was not. Personal violence wAs
not in his professional line, unless rr.
posed. summoned all my energies
tn outwit him. thought much nm I
said little, for had no intention ot ~
lowing him to carry off my mother :.
silver.
Alter I,n,irR iifcd oil 'EcItt L
all tho moet valuable articles, he re-
turnou I'd the uinIng room,
On the table the remains bf supper
still stood, consisting Of fowl, hard
ly touched, some dclicately cut bread
ana butter, cake, and glass jar con
tanning some fancy crackers.
81 will make myself entirely nt
home" he remarked, sitting down to
tho table, and helping himself to II
wing of the chicken
''Really," no proceeded, 'T havr
thoroughly enjoyed this evening Not
only have / met Ii most charming lady,
but have been able to prove to her
that the terms gentleman and burglar
may be synonomous.
Hc now began on tho cake. Ipushcl
tho cracker jar toward him. 'Try
them," observed.
Still smiling indulgcntly, and talk.
ing, he took out ono Of the crackers
and began to nibblo ON it. 1t was
worry dry.
1 Irose, and in absent minded man.
ner placed on the table the remains OF
bottle of old Burgundy, which had
been opened the day before.
Now, really" he prattlcd, "rm
worry harmless man five months out of
six-I never steal unless other means
fnil, or n tailor's bill comes due. I'm u
respectable CITIZEN and-a churcn
member in good standing when I'm
not on ono of my professional tours
l took up burglary more rs resource
than from necessity. Candidly speak.
ing, now, am l ruffian2'
~ I r,,1;,I l,,,l,;,o, i.
at him. ''On the contrary, you arc
very tine-lookinG man."
A glow of vanity spread over his
face. poured ont n glass of the Bur-
gundy aud pushed it toward him.
England to Wales!" he cried with
gallantry. 81 don't generally drink"
he added, "but these crackers make
me thirsty"
eff could only find wife suited
to my tastes" he muscd, 'such IA
woman ns you are, by George! I'd
give up aesthetic burglary and settle
down to quiet domestic bliss" He
- iT---1;--I.>plp at me. 'If'-
he hesitated-"you could DE sure
would abandon my profession would
you-do you think you could--con-
done my past and--marry me?"
That is n matter for consideration,
l replied.
Hehelped himself to another cracker.
"Your proposal rs 30 startlingly uni
que. l continued, "to marry ones
burglar! Really it is quite Joke"
"1sn't it?" he chuokled, evidently
enjoying the idea of the oddity. 1--WE
are kindred spirits!" he exclaimed,
but was interrupted by a
violent fit of coughing.
Selling the bottle of Burgundy, he
drained the only drop or two left.
al think, maybe, there's another
bottle down in the cellar" 1 cried,
nrtlcssly. 'Tll go down and see-I
feel thirsty myself"
"We will descend together" ex-
claimed my burglar, gallantly taking
the candle from my hand and follow
ing me to the door leading to the eel
lar steps.
We descended tho steps chatting
diScourssng on matri-
mony, | answering rather vaguely, but
the distance to the wine
bins hy my eye. They were at the far
end of the cellar, nnI were tiv. ~ n:::::
bcr, each large enough to hold quar-
ter of a ton of coal. Before the furth-
est ono paused
Here" said, lis the brand wcare
looking for. / raised the heavy lit
and looked i'll. 81 will hold tho can
die, | observed; "will you get the
bottle? | can hardly reached it.
He handed me the candle and bent
low over the bin. Hn! hn! Quicker
than flash of lightning trippcd up
his heels (hc was easily ovcrbalanccd),
and into the bin he fell headlong.
Down came the heavy lid. But there
was no paddock on it. must hurry!
Blowing out the candle, | ran, for
knew the why, straight to the cellar
steps and up them-like n cat Then
with locked door between myself and
my burglar, | could breathe.
| heard the man kicking ahout down
k"iow, for of course he got ont Of the
bin at once. But our cellar is luby.
rinth. Selling fathers old gun from
its resting place III the hall, I sat down
thn l,.. - a., h.,,l g