The Van Buren press., 1895-01-19

and then, evidently considering the
i'd en- of burglars too absurd to enter.
tain for a moment, again dropped of
to sleep
In the kitchen we quietly removed
our shoes in true burglar fashion and
crept forward. The scene OF our oper-
ations wns the sitting-room.
"Hist" whispered Ted; "gently,
now. II we arc discovered we are
found"
| The situation lent the old chestnut a
fresh pungency. And it was as much
as we could do to keep from bursting
iuto roar Of laughter. We got our
risibles under control, however, and
set to work.
Gathering up as many chairs as we
could bear Off without noise we carried
them to the door back. After that we
took the table, then with much difficulty
we lugged off the rickety old sofa.
Next we took a couple of armfuls Of
odds and ends, and finally plucking up
the threadbare carpet by the roots we
bore it off, chuckling to ourselves, for
we had completely denuded the room.
Pulling on our boots we now carried
our booty out to the wagon, and then
we'll, half an hour later Ted and
were we'll along the road on our way
back.
"Ha! ha! hal" roared, as soon as we
were out OF earshot, chats the great
est lark out. Oh, but won't the old
lady be surprised, thought"
Ted was more serious He evident
ly felt his responsibility as originator
and hacker of the affair. II say, Bob"
he whispered, "what do you suppose
they'll say II we're found out?"
The only reply I could make was an
other scream of laughter.
When lilly came Gown In the morn
ing to light the fire her eyes almost
popped out Of her head with amaze
ment. As soon as she had recovered her
self she rushed upstairs. On reaching
the first flight, however, she paused as
an idea entered her mind and stood
leaning against the banister. Then,
with d broad grin, for her decision
seemed to amuse her greatly, she ran
up and burst into Aunt Judy's room.
''Oh, Missile! Missie she cried. "It's
all gone, missile! The robbers have
tooken all your furniture. It's all gone,
missile, even to the carpet and spoons
nnd everythingr
Poor Aunt Judy's face was sight
to behold. In trembling haste she
threw on her wrapper and urrled
downstairs.
Pushing open the parlor door, the
excited old lady received q shock
which well-nigh took her off her feet.
There before her was brand new set of
furniture, chairs, sofa and table, the
latter spread with nice white table
cloth and with bright new knives and
forks and spoons, and pretty cups and
saucers upon it, the like of which she
never expected to see In her little
home again. In the center of the room
was laid q nice large rug, and stuck
up in the corner was roll OF hand
some carpeting sufficient to cover the
border OF floor that was yet exposed.
With quick glance the as
founded woman took 1t all in, and
then she dropped on her knees and
remained thus, her head buried in her
hands, and then rising, her face great
ly frightened, she said simply' make
some tea, Tilly; we must christen our
new teapot"
AS Tilly lifted the cover of that ar
ticle, something green flashed to her
eye from the inside. She shook 1t out.
"Oh, look, missie." she cried, "look
here. Money! Seel Ten, ten, five
twenty-five. dollars Oh, missile, this
is just great. The Lord is good,
isn't Hep"
"Yes, child" replied Aunt Judy
and then the old pr ide coming sudden.
ly upon her, she said, "but we'll have
to find out.who did 1t and send them
back. We mustn't keep them, Tilly.
It's too much like charity"
A little later, when the minister was
going by, she called him to advise her.
No matter what his arguments were,
he had well-nigh pers uaded her to ac.
cept the gift without question, when
Tilly clinched matters.
"Sides, missile" she said Offering
hCA nPSOSA uS - CuPPAOAASAs w SAAo
minister's. "tho burglars got your
furniture. hain't they? Time enough
to give up the new things when they
bring back the old ones"
II will keep them" said Aunt
Judy, smiling, and SO the thing was
settled.
"Were you ever found out, Uncle
Bob?" inquired Dicky.
"Yes, the newspapers got hold of
the affair, and pretty soon Teddy and
I were known all over town as The
Blessed Burglars But before this
happened the minister, at Aunt Judy's
request, had inserted this little item:
"'REwARD OFFERED.
"'Any person giving information
concerning the burglars who entered
the premises of Miss Judith Brown. on
the night of July s, will receive thou.
sand thanks AS for the burglars
themselves, Miss Brown would be
greatly pleased to have them call upon
her some evening while she is awake,
to receive the gratitude their kindness
and consideration deserve. Inter
Ocean.