The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-08
RRowN,s GENTLE BURGLAR.

Standard Union.
TITS al very well to talk about honor
among thieves" said Watson, wiping his
mouth with a paper napkin, "but for
one don't believe in 1t bit Crooks may
sometimes act honestly, but I'll wager
there's crooked motive behind 1t every
time"
Nonsense" said Parker, beginning on
his third sandwich; don't totally con-
denim a man just because he's degraded
in one or two particulars. Sometimes the
toughest criminals are found to have the
tenderest affection for their families. l
was reading the other day"
That's just it," interrupted Watson,
beginning to weaken. You're arguing
merely from heresay. 1 don't suppose
any of us are personally acquainted with
the criminal classes, so what's the use
OF talking?"
Brown finished his coffee and placed
the cup upon vacant chair. He usually
had something to say after coffee and
we looked at him eXpectantly.
IL once met a burglar" he observed
thoughtfuily.
Met a burglar" exclaimed Watson,
you mean you visited one at prison, or
something of that kind, 1 suppose?"
mo, ne called at my house." caid
Brown, glancing at his watch. II woke
one night with the feeling that some
thing was wrong. The room was pitch
dark, and my wife was sound asleep; so,
after listening a moment, l concluded l
must have had a bad dream and tried
to forget all about it and go to Sleep
again. But L couldn't. The longer 1 lay
there thinking the more certain be-
came that something was wrong. Finally
/ wondered what time 1t must be-and
then l knew what had seemed strange
The clock had stopped. 1t was an out
rageously loud ticker, and the unusual
silence had awakened me.
Getting out of bed carefully, so as
not to disturb Mrs. Brown, 1 felt my
way to the mantel and put out my hand
FOR the clock, but the cock wasn't there
Moreover, 1 soon realized that pair OF
expensive vases were gone. went to
INV Wife's dressing case, and was not
long in discovering that it had been pret-
ty well ransacked. Then / tlp-toed out OF
the ROOM"
Brown drank a glass of water with
tantalizing slowness and then resumed
''When reached the parlor hall l
found that my only heavy cane had been
taken. So l crept down stairs with no
arms except my rather stfn bodily ones,
hoping-I must contestant the robber
had terminated his call, but he hadn't
He was carefully selecting my best ware
from the buffet. The dining table was
strewn with jewelry cutlery and so FORTH
and on the floor were two partially filled
bags. Upon a chair, trifle nearer to
me than to him, lay a revolver. My only
chance seemed to be to make spring
and secure ii"
Brown stifled yawn and looked at his
watch again.
"Go on, go on" said Parker.
"Wen. my spring had a hitch In il
somewhere, for the first thing | knew
Mr.. Burglar was on top of me, trying to
choke me. / managed to throw him off,
for he was lighter than myself, although
more muscular, and then began such
rough-and- tumble fight as | hope never
to engage in again. | succeeded in keep
ing him from the revolver, and he sue
ceeded pretty well in keeping me on my
back. For a week afterward | dreamt
of his hardened, strained face above ne
Finally he became desperate and tried
to bang my head against the floor
was beginning to lose my breath. His
face was purple He pulled up my head
from the floor, preparatory to dashing 1t
against the WALL l suppose, but, fortu-
nately slipped my right arm from under
me. braced myself somehow, and sent
him against the table leg with all my
strength
Brown had finished his pie and now
began to put on his overcoat. Parker,
Watson and glanced at him. but he did
not seem to notice. Just as Watson be-
gan to say bad words, Brown resumed
his seat and his narrative.
"The jar dis7odged some jewe-ry from
the edge of the table and chains and
trinkets came down upon our heads. My
heavy hunting-case watch struck tne
floor. stem down, and the lid flew open,
Inside the cover was and is, my wife's
photograph, as you can see."
Brown handed around the watch for
our inspection.
''Tne burglars face happened to be so
turned that his eyes fell upon the picture.
With an oath, he strained toward 1t,
until his cheek nearly touched the case.
'Annier he exclaimed. That started me
so-for my wifes name is Annie-that
loosened my grip upon him. Instead OF
taking advantage of this the man let go
of me entirely, and seizing the watch
eazed earnestly at the photograph.
''WeI, without attracting any unneces-
sary attention 1 leaned over and took
the revolver from the chair. When l
looked DdNhs llAG Jul sAehA AieNN $50
face in his hands, and was apparently
sotbing. I asked MIN what allied him.
He shifted and wiped his eyes with his
sleeve. and in broken voice asked me
to let him CO. What for?' demanded.
Fer de fanrbiS name.' he muttered, be-
tween sobs. l inquired what claim his
family had upon my leniency and he said
It was my own family"
"He was crazy, l suppose suggested
Parker.
mo" said Brown, buttoning his over
coat: "when I hourished the pistol and
demanded what in creation he meant to
imply, he gained sufficient control over
his tears to ask if my wife had ever lost
a brother I said yes. for Mrs Brown
had mentioned losing a brother, and had
asked me not to speak CT the subject
again.
"Tm de one said my friend. the crook.
Il knowed her photo de minute e'apped
nv peppers onter it. l lef home an
runned away ter sea wen l was dat
small. sir; an yer'n femme go for An
nie's sake. won't er? It'd bust her heart
ter see me like dis-she thinks was
drownded in the Carrybeans Sea, sir. Bet
ter lemme be tfunk dead than ter dis
grace de family name
There" exclaimed Parker with a sus-
picious moisture about his eyes. what
aid 1 tell you, Watson? Here was har-