Arizona republican., 1895-01-20


ing out from the road stopped on the
other side of Aunt Judy's back yard
fence. Here it lay completely h idden
both from the house and from the
street. |
Three minutes later Ted and I
poked our heads above the boards, and
seeing that no 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
anything that Aunt Judy had no oc-
casion to fear, it was the midnight
thief. Once inside the house, we drew
down the blinds and lighted our bulls
eye lantern. The old cat looked up at
US in surprise from the kitchen hearth,
and then, evidently considering the
id ca of burglars too absurd to enter
tain for moment, again dropped off
to sleep.
In the kitchen we quietly removed
our shoes in true burglar fashion and
crept forward. The scene of our oper-
ations was the sitting-room.
'Hist!" whispered Ted; gently,
now. If we are discovered we are
found
The situation lent the old chestnuta
fresh pungency. And it was as much
as we could do to keep from bursting
iuto a 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 Iugged off the rickety old sofa.
Next we took couple of armfuls Of
odds and ends, and finally plucking up
the threadbare carpet by the roots we
bore it off, chucllling to ourselves. for
we had completely denuded the room.
Pulling on our boots we now carried
our booty out to the wagon, and then
well, half an hour later Ted and l
were well along the road on our way
back.
''Ha! ha! hal" roared, as soon as we
were out of earshot, "that's the great
est lark out. Oh, but won't the old
lady De surprised, InOugH!
Ted was more serious. He evident
ly felt his responsibility as originator
and hacker of the affair. 81 say, Bob,"
he whispered, what do you suppose
they'll say if we're found out?"
The only reply could make was an
other scream of laughter.
When lilly came down 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.
seemed to amuse her greatly, she ran
up and burst into Aunt JudY's room.
'Oh, Missile! Missie!'' she cried. Its
ali gone, missile! The robbers have
tooken all your furniture. It's all gone,
missile, even to the carpet and spoons
and everything!'
Poor Aunt Judy's face was sight
to behold. In trembling haste she
threw on her wrapper and h urried
downstairs
Pushing open the parlor door, the
excited old lady received a 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 nice large rug, and stuck
up in the corner was roll of hand
some carpet1ng sufficient to cover the
border of floor that was yet exposed.
With a quick glance the as
founded woman took it 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, lilly; we must christen our
new teapot"
As lilly lifted the cover of that ar
ticle, something green flashed to her
eye from the inside. She shook it out.
"Oh, look, missile" she cried, "look
here. Money! See! Ten, ten, five
twenty-five dollars. Oh, missile, this
is just great The Lord is good,
isn't Hep"
Eyes, child" replied Aunt Judy
and then the old pride coming sudden
ly upon her, she said, 'but we'll have
to find out who did it and send them
back. We mustn't keep them, lilly.
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,