The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-02
BLESSED BURGLARS.

What, you committed burglary-you,
Uncle Bobs?''S cried Dicky in dismay.
"Oh. that wasia nawful thing to doI''
IN Tot such avery nawful thing, the way
we did 1t, . said Uncle Bobs calmly. Ills
ten end III tell you all about it.
''1eddy Gordon. my school chum, was
the swiftest runner in Pokeville. One
Four<h of July he, captured no less than
$50 IN prizes. Nest morning met him
coming down the rbad.
80 Hello, Teddy, said I Decided what
to dc. with your money yet?'
Yes, he replied, I'm going into the
burglar business. I've got my eye on an
easy shouse to begin on, and look here,
Bobss I'm going to take you into partner
ship:
Looking cautiously about to see that
thereswas no chance of being overheard,
Ted unfolded his plan.
g why, it's 4 splendid schemel' broke
out presently. 'Os course I'll Join you.
And look here, Tel, the old lady HASN'T
got any bulldog or anything, and don't
believe she even locks her door nights
Come along new aud let US get together
our things
Miss Judith Blown, or Aunt judy
as sha was often called, lived in a some
whatsdilapidated little cottage about half
a mills down the road. The poor old lady
had Tacently fallen upon evil times Mat
tiers were looking about as black and
gloomy as theyswel1 could
'''Cil1y,' she said one evening to the
little 'colored garl she kept more for com
pany than anything else, 'Tilly, tomorrow
when: you go down to the grocer's see if
he won't give you another soapbox. We
mustEsav the chairs for our callers
'Aslittle after she and lilly retired to
their ichamber up under the caves, and
soon fhey went fast asleep.
About 10 o'clock, when all was dark
and still, a wagon drove up. and turning
out from the TOAD stopped on the other
side OF Aunt judy back yard fence.
Three minutes later Ted and poked
our beads aboFe the boards, and seeing
that 80 one had, been disturbed we climbed
lightly over and crept up to the back door,
AS We expected, it: was only on the latch,
for if there was any shing that Aunt Judy
had 30 OCCASION to- fear it was the mid
night thief
"OAce inside the house we drew down
the blinds and lighted our bullseye lantern.
Sin. the kitchen we quiz loved our
shoes in true burglar IL ION and crept
forward. The scene of our operations was
the sitting room.
Gathering up as many chairs as we
could bear off without noise we carried
them to the back door. After that we took
the sable, then, with much difficulty, we
lugged off the Iickety old sofa. Next we
took d couple of arnafuls each of odds and
ends, hnd finally plpcking up the thread
bare barpet blythe roots we bore it off,
cbuckling to ourselves, for we had COM
pletel1 denuded the room.
'PLqlling on cur Eoots, we now carried
our bboty out TO tie wagon. and then
WELL half an hour later Ted and were
well along the road ON our way back.
When Tilly ;cams down in the morn
ing I'd light the fire, her eyes almost
popped out of her head with amazement.
AS soon as she had recovered herself she
rushed up stairsI
oh, missie,' missie' she cried. It's
all goAe, missier The robbers have token
all your furniture. IT'S all gone, missile,
even to the carpet and spoons and every
thingT
Poor Aunt Judyss face was a sight to
behold. In trembling haste she threw on
her Wrapper and hurried down stairs.
Pushing opea the parlor door, the ex-
cited old lady received a shock which well
nigh tbok her of her feet There before
her WIS a brand new set Of furniture
chairss sofa and table, the latter spread
with a. white tablecloth, and with bright
new knives and forks and spoons and
pretty cups and ;sauGers upon it, the like
CT which she had never expected to see in
her little home again. In the center Of
the roc 10 was laid large rug, and stuck
up in She corner; was a roll Of oarpeting
suffice mt to cover the border of floor that
wBs yet exposed.
with a quick glance the astounded
woInan took it all in, and then she drop
ped on her knees.and .sobbed aloud. Then,
rising her face. greatly frightened, she
said simply: Meke some tea, lilly. We
must christen our new teapot.
LAS gTilly lifted the cover of that article
something green flashed to her eye from
the inside She shook it out
's'Oh, look. ynissiel' she cried, look
herei Money! sSeel Ten and fiVe-$25l
oh, missile, this is just great The Lord
is good isn't he?s
:. Yes, child, replied Aunt Judy, and
then the old pride coming suddenly upon
her she said: Bat we'll have to find out
who did it and send them back. We
mustn it keep them, Tilly. It's too much
like Charity
We're you ever found out, Uncle BobsF''
inquired Dickey.
Yes the newspapers got hold of the
affair, and pretty sodn Teddy and were
known ;all around t3wn as The Blessed
Burglars
But before this happened the minister,
at AunG Judys request had inserted this
little item
.. Reward Offered. Amy person giving
information concerning the burglars who
entered the premises OF Miss Judith Brown
on the hight of July will receive a thou
sand thanks AS for. the burglars them
selves, Miss BrbwnI would be greatly
| pleasedyto have them icaH upon her some
evening when she is awake, to receive the
gratitude their kindness and consideration
Deserve ''-George f. Wesley IN Boston
| Globe.