Connecticut western news., 1894-05-10
WAS HE A COWARD?

"Oh, Cousin George >, IIrs. Fit ters as they walked into the house from the garden, "I do wish Harry were not such coward. '"
 Are you quite sure that your hus- band is one?'
 "Well, last night thought I heard burglars in the house, and do you know i I positively believe he was afraid to go down stairs.
 Didn't he go?'
 ''No; he insisted that it was only the cat and refused to get up"
 ''And did it happen to be thieves, after all?''
 "Oh, no As a matter of fact, it was the cat, as he suggested. But I think it would have been more manly if he had gone, don't you?''
 Perhaps as he was convinced that it was the cat it was not necessary
 "Still admire pluck in a man, and I shan't have nearly so much confidence in Harry's bravery as 1 once had. Now, want you to do me great favor. Will you promise?'',
 Anything in reason, my dear Kate. "
 Well, I want you to play the bur glar tonight. I will give you the key to the back door, and you must come in between 1 and 3 o'clock and put the lower part of the house in disorder, just as if thieves had broken in and ran- sacked the place.
 But suppose Harry hears me?'
 'I shall, of course, see that he does. But am sure we shall find that he will be afraid to stir out of his room"
 "Yet, if you should be mistaken, it would be rather awkward for me. He is a powerful man''
 1T assure you it is perfectly safe, George. If Harry shows any disposition to go down stairs, have only to insist on his staying to protect me, and he is certain to allow himself to be persuad- ed.''
 Might he not fire at me out of the window?''
 ''There isn't such a thing as revolv CT or a gun in the house"
 "Very well, Kate, will do as you wish, but you must not blame me if anything goes wrong"
 "Oh, it's so good of you, George. We shall just see what Harry is made of. It will be such fun too. By the way, Harry ought to be home before now. Let us stroll down the road to meet him." AS they passed out of the house Harry Filters rose from the high back ed chair at the other end of the room, where he was doziug when they first en- tered and from which place of conceal ment he had heard, with great amuse- ment-for he was very good natured man-the whole conversation.
 "A pretty little plot, Mrs. FEttersp' he said to himself, with laugh. Ut will, as you say, be such funp"
 'Harryi Harryp "Ye-yes, dear. What is it?' ''I am sure there's burglar in the house."
 ''Listenl Yes, by love, you're right this time. Keep quiet while put some thing on. I'll make it hot for him
 Harry, I believe there are at least three of themp'
 "As long as they don't exceed that number don't mind. {"
 But, Harry, they are sure to be well armedl''
 "I must take my chance about that " MT. Filters was now moving toward the door, and his wife realized that he meant business !" "You mustn't endanger your life, Harry! Harry, insist on your not go [ ing. You will not desert your wife in the hour Of dangerl Come back, HarryP' But he had slipped out of the room and closed the bedroom door, turning the key on the outside, where he had | placed it few hours before. Mrs. Filters rattled the handle of the door and shrieked to her husband to come back But there was determination in his eye, and he went boldly forward to meet the enemy. Soon there was the most terrible up- roar in the kitchen, and the night air was made hideous with the sound of the smashing of china and glass, of the shouting of mems voices and of the breaking of chairs and tables Mrs. Filters stood in her room terri fled and horror stricken. They would kill one anotheri Why had she been sc foolish?
 Its all over, Kate Strike light. Let me wash off some of the stains ot the battle.
 "Oh, Harry, what has happenedp
 "A good deal, am afraid, during the last 10 minutes. ?
 Good heavens, there's blood on your handsi''
 ''Yes, it has been distributed pretty freely down stairs. The painters and paper hangers had better come in tomor- row. We shall be prosecuted for keep ing unlicensed shambles. '
 ''It was only one man?''
 '"That is all, but he got the share oi three
 Gould you see what he was like, Harry" ..
 "No, but can imagine what he re sembles ar the present moment.
 "But Harry, dear, is he badly hurt am so frightened. D
 "Well, I think they'll pull hin through when he gets to the hospital. |"
 T hope you haven't permanently ill jured him.
 ''I think not, but I have permanently instructed him in the wisdom of keep ing his hands off other peoples property I sprang on him like tiger, and befor' he could utter word he had been al over the kitchen-under the table, int the grate, among the pots and kettle beneath the dresser-everywhere H. ought to know his way around nex time. As for the crockery, don't be ieve there is whole piece left. We ad journed to the scullery, where cleane, the sink with him and kicked hiSn ou r Of the door through the glass window 0 the osnservAtcsy.