The Oskaloosa herald., 1893-12-14

him to this chair, the burglar added, ad
dressing his companions.
"B-bah--bah Jovel Deuced shame!
cried Mr.. Girard.
The two scions of famous Bowery fam
lilies not only obeyed their leaders in
structions, but they also bound Mrs. Val
Tassel, Mr.. and Mrs. Girard and Mr.
and Mrs. Cowles firmly to the chairs il
which they sat. The gentlemen mur
INJURED loudly against this indignity Il
their wives, but the cold steel of thre,
reyolvers was an argument that they
were powerless against.
It was in vain that Mr.. Girard pro
tested, with numerous "Bah Joves," and
finally in despair he vigorously jammet
his monocle into his right eye, knowing
that he would soon be unable to adjust
it. The arms and legs Of the men were
securely fastened, but the ladies were
simply bound to their seats by the arms
The burglars accomplished their task il
as gentle and polite manner as possible
and not one Of the captives was really
suffering physically.
There's another member of the noted
Smith family in the house." continued
Mr.. IT. Brown Jones, ''but regret to
say that at present he is busily engaged
in sitting on your negro chef, who will
insist upon rolling about and endeavor.
ing to release himself from bondage, and
in keeping an eye, don't you see, on your
maid. AS soon, however, as he gets the
chef securely corralled between the legs
of your big refrigerator, don't you know,
he may favor us with his company"
"Well, what do you want?" demanded
Mr.. Van Tassel. "Why don't you take
what we have and get ont and allow my
| guests to enjoy their dinner"
81 will attend to everything in good
time, Cornelius, but the heavy move
ment in silver, don't you know, cannot
take place yet very well, for the reason
| that the silver is all in use. That beau
tiful solid silver soup tureen must be
emptied, for instance, don't you see, and
if hunger is gnawing at your vitals sup
pose we begin operations.
81 see covers are only laid for six, but
that need not embarrass you. My Bow
| cry friends will assist you in moving
| closer together, so that there will be
room for us at your hospitable table
All, that is just the thing. There's room
and to spare. Now the surplus dining
room chairs. Well done, my friends"
As he gave utterance to these approx
ing words, Mr.. T. Brown Jones took his
seat at the head of the table beside Mr..
Van Tassel, deposited his revolvers on
one of the lace doilies, spread napkin
across his lap and drew Mr.. Van Tas-
sells yellow chrysanthemum through his
buttonhole.
MY favorite fower-since it has been
a society fad" he said simply. Now,
Mrs Van Tassel, do me the kindness to
ring for your maid. Three more covers,
you know, for US, End dinner served for
nine instead of six, the burglar added,
carelessly lifting one of his revolvers so
that it was leveled in the direction of
the fearful hostess.
well, bah Jove" calculated Mr.. Gil
rard, as the full force of audacious Mr..
Jones intentions dawned upon him.
His face suddenly expanded into such a
| look of astonishment that his faithful
monocle, which had remained where he
had put it all through the binding ordeal
as though glued to the spot, fell from his
eye as if it, too, had been overcome by
| amaZement.
"Allow me-" said T. Brown Jones, IS
he politely caught up the monocle and
thrust it back into its place. Mr.. Girard
was so surprised at this act that he for
got to contract his eyebrow in time, and
the erratic glass again shot down the
length of its gold chain.
But Mr.. Jones was not at all dis
couraged, for he promptly attempted the
feat once more. This time Mr.. Girard
lifted his right eyebrow at least half an
inch as no saw the monocle coming,
closed down upon it as Mr.. Jones cried
'Nowp and success crowned the joint
undertaking.
Meantime the other two burglars had
followed the example of their chief, and
each was seated beside one of the male
guests, with chrysanthemums brushing
the black masks that covered their faces.
They lacked the ease of Mr.. T. Brown
Jones, and by several awkward moves
confirmed the correctness Of their lead
er's statements concerning their Bowery
ancestry. They also watched Jones mar
rowly through the eyeholes in their
somber masks and promptly initiated
him in everything lie did at the table.
Meantime, too, Mrs. Van Tassel had
pressed her trembling foot to the cleo
tric bell and summoned Betty. She had
been wondering in dazed sort of way
what had become Of the maid and was
hoping that she had either rung the mes
senger call for the police or had escaped
from the house and personally sought
aid.
This hope was dispelled by the prompt
appearance of Betty at the door. She
was pale and trembling, and very evi-
IDENTIFY half frightened out of herwits.
She stepped to her mistress side and
waited, her face the picture of mingled
wonder, fear and helplessness. She was
too well disciplined to speak even under
such remarkable circumstances. She
simply stared.
Your maid seems to have become
petrified mentally and physically, Mrs
Van Tassel," said Jones in low voice,
as if the words were for her ear alone.
Perhaps it would be well to explain to
her, don't you see, that dinner is to be
served as usual"
As he spoke Mr.. Jones again carelessly
laid his hand upon one of the revolvers
beside him. Mrs. Van TasseIs face
would have been an excellent study for
a picture Of Despair.
"Dinner-dinner as usual, Betty" she
faltered in a whisper.
When the Blue Points were served, the
Bowery swells glanced doubtfully from
the tempting array of shells to the be-
EA
r. TT-=z
p @
ssa 0zlS .