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


looked up at me.
''Shall we proceed to the dining.
rooma" he asked airily; "and, as i
wish to give you no unnecessary trou.
BILE, let me say that do not dabble in
Plated spoons, nothing but solid sill.
r,J'. --e..,,..
opened the old mahogany side
board in which GrifIiths had, for years,
placed the fenilS heirlooms at night,
ana Deheld my gentlemsnly burglar
stow them, cne after another, in q ca
pacious felt sack, which he carried in
his hand.
''Charmingl" he cried. 'I am 1,
connoissenr. l assure You, and know
silver from plate These articles are
really worth the Fisk Of the enterprise Il"
Yod ask mt if I was. not alarmed.
No, was not. Personal violence was
not in his professional line, unless cr.
posed. summoned all my energies
to outwit him. thought much anI
said little, for had no intention OF a.
lowing him to carry Off my mother
silver.
After hnvirg Iifcd all Tie ,,on: &
all the moet valuable articles, he re-
turned to the dining room,
On the table the remains Of supper
still stood, consisting of fowl, hard
ly touched, some delicately cut bread
and butter, cake, and glass jar con-
tanning some fancy crackers.
81 will make myself entirely at
home," he remarked, sitting down to
tho table, and helping himself to
wing of the chicken.
''Really," he proceeded, 'T have
thoroughly enjoyed this evening. Not
only have met most charming lady,
but have been able to prove to her
that the terms gentleman and burglar
may be synonomous.
He now began on the cake. Ipushcl
the cracker jar toward him. "Try
them," l observed.
Still smiling indulgently, and talk
ing, he took out one of the crackers
and began to nibble on it, It was
very dry.
I rose, and in absent minded man
ner placed on the table the remains of
a bottle of old Burgundy, which had
been opened the day before.
Now, really" he prattled, "Tm
very harmless man five months out of
ski never steal unless other means
fail, or a tailor's bill comes due. Tn %
respectable citizen and-a churcn
member in good standing when I'm
not on one of my professional tours.
1 took up burglary more as resource
than from necessity. Candidly speak.
ing, now, am I ruffian?"
"Nol" I replied, looking directly
at him. ''On the contrary, you are
very fine-looking man."
A glow of vanity spread over his
face. poured out glass of the Bur-
Sundy and 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 O wife suited
to my tastes" he mused, "such
woman rs you are, by George! I'd
give up aesthetic burglary and settle
down to quiet domestic bliss" He
II Ir-"stionin9ly at me. "If'-
he hesitated-''you could be sure
would abandon my profession--would
you-do you think you could--con-
done my past and--marry me?"
'That Is matter for consideration,
l replied.
He helped himself to another cracker.
"Your proposal rs 80 startlingly uni
que. I continued, 'to marry ones
burglar! Really it is quite Joke"
'Isn't it?" he chuokled, evidently
enjoying the idea of the oddity. eve
are kindred spirits!" he exclaimed,
convivially, but was interrupted by
violent fit of coughing.
Seizing the bottle of Burgundy, he
drained the only drop or two left.
81 think, maybe, there's another
bottle down in the cellar" I cried,
artlessly. "'ll 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 nae TO the door leading to the Gel
lar steps.
We descended the steps chatting
pleasantly-ho discourang on matri-
mony, | answering rather vaguely, but
measuring the distance to the wine
bins by my eye. They were ut the far
end of the cellar, and were five in num-
Der, each large enough to hold quar-
ter of a ton of coal. Before the furth-
est one paused.
"Here," / said, sis the brand We are
looking for" / raised the heavy lid
| and looked in. 81 will hold the can
de-" / observed; "will you get the
bottle? can hardly reached it,"
He handed me the candle and bent
low over the bin. Ha! ha! Quicker
than flash of lightning L tripped mp
his heels (he was easily overbalanced),
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 a cat. Then
with locked door between myself and
my burglar, could breathe.
/ heard the man kicking about down
below, for of course he got ont of the
bin at once. But our cellar is laby.
rinth. Selling fathers old gun from