St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-02-22

keeping him well covered. Now
get up and march"
The burglar rose, still with his
arms extended, and marched slowly
to the wall.
Next. you may fold your arms"
said his captor.
All right, mum. I've done it often,
remarked the burglar. Its the
reglar penitentiary racket"
Il know it," said Miss Abigail.
That is what I've heard"
AS the burglar folded his arms,
Miss Abigail touched an electric but
| ton, and its quivering tinkle was
heard coming from the upper floor.
My maid will be down in d few
minutes" said Miss Abigail, seating
herself in the chair the burglar
had left. "Meanwhile we must
wait. Is there anything you wish
to say to me?"
Only to explain how it came that
thought of helpin' myself to your
silver" the burglar remarked, with
out moving. The fact is, I'm pretty
well broke"
Why don't you get some honest
work to do ?"
Don't like it," said the burglar,
very frankly. "Never could stand
bein' bossed round by another man.
don't mind lady dom it-special-
ly when she's handy with a re-
volver."
mo nonsense now" said Miss
Abigail, with dignity.
Beg pard'n, mum; no offence, /
hope. | only meant to say that
| took to burglary because l enjoy it.
I'm not one of the snivelling kind,
anyhow. I'm a burglar, and I'm
proud of it,"
''You haven't much to be proud of
tonight" said Miss Abigail
sharply.
"Oh, the nights not over yet"
said the burglar, easily. I've got
out O worse fixes than this"
Miss Abigail began to be little
uneasy.
4 wont have any nonsense, she
said, abruptly.
Don't be disturbed" said the
burglar, reassuringly. Il wont hurt
| youn'
Il should think moth responded
Miss Abigail, Indignantly.
But l mean to get out of this
scrape," said the blurgar. Il don't
mean to do anything that will bring
me into the electricity chair, mum
but I'm going to get away"
Miss Abigail said no more, but she
became impatient Tor the appearance
of the maid. She rang the bell
again.
Footsteps came along the hall,
| and there was a knock at the door.
Come in p said Miss Abigail, in
tone of great relief.
The maid entered, and for a mo-
ment stood speechless surveying the
group of two-the man facing the
wall, and Miss Abigail sitting on
guard with lantern and revolver.
Lucinda" said Miss Abigail,
Light the gas"
But" the maid began.
Light the gas" repeated her mis-
tress.
Lucinda found match, and in a
moment more the rays of the lantern
were lost in the general Illumination
Now" said Miss Abigail, this
man is robber-a burglar"
"Oh!" shrieked the maid
Don't be silly! said Abigail, i'm
patiently; but listen. He has a re-
volver in his right-hand pocket"
"If you please, num- remarked
the burglar, cant you let me give
you the revolver. My arms are so
stiff that Il
"Silencer' broke in his captor.
THAT will come in good time. AS
said, Lucinda, he has a revolver, and
we must get it. You go over and
take it out OF his pocket, and if he
moves Tll-make him wish he
hadn't"
Miss Abigail, I'd like TO oblige
YOU" the maid protested earnestly,
"but 1 don't dare. 1 dont-really
and truly!'
"WeI, them" said Miss Abigail,
mpatiently, what good are you?
can't keep the man here all night
Suppose you take the revolver, then,
and III disarm him
IF [ might make a suggestion"
the burglar remarked, with Difference,
Il would say"
Hush y said Miss Abigail, sharp
ly. DO you think, Lucinda, you
could hit him with the revolver ?"
No, ma am" said Lucinda. Il
know L couldn't. Why, I'm shaking
all over! [ couldn't hit anything
even if knew how to fire the gun
and 1 don't Shan't go for an of
fcer ?"
You know, Lucinda" said Miss
Abigail, scornfully, that there isn't
a policeman within FIVE miles. The
burglar knows it too, I'll warrant"
Yes, num-" the burglar murmur-
ed. And then he went on, hastily,
Il was goin' to suggest-please
don't stop me, mum-that have no
objection to giving up the bull
dog"