St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-07-26

THE CHILDREN'S BURGLAR.

er's letter, which he was trying to
read to his wife and family. He
mildly began:
"a few less interruptions"-But he
was greeted by a wild shout
What'll he bring us ?"
There was Hal, named for his
uncle, who was just coming back
after 10 years life in Australia. Hal
was a sturdy boy of 14-in his first
wear in the high school-mad with
base ball mania in the spring, and
crazy with football Authorizations
in the fall. This was winter, and he
had just wheedled Mr.. Smithkins out
of toboggan, on the plea that
"kid." as he called his Younger
brother, had received a pair OF
skates.
Billy was the "Kid's" name. Billy
was fat and 10; as strapping a ras-
cal as one can meet in the recess
ward full of frolic, but as truthful
and honest as the school was long.
Then came Lolo. This red-cheeked.
wavy-haired girl was II years old,
and was already beginning to sug-
gest, as matter of personal dignity,
that she should be called Lois.
I'VE expect him by steamer tomor-
row." Mrs Smlthkins exclaimed.
The children gave little cries of
ecstasy. To eirimaginations their
travelling uncle was a sort OF Arabian
Nights entertainment.
Sophie" said Mr. Smthkins in
low voice, II think we ought to go
down to meet him. We haven't seen
him for 10 years.
1T would make him feel so much
more at home; but the children ?"
THE children Are they not old
enough to take care of themselves !"
asked the father, manlike.
The upshot of it was land thus
comes our story that Mr., and Mrs.
Smithkins decided to spend the next
night in New York, and bring their
brother home with them the morn
ing after, leaving the house in the
sole charge OF the eldest child.
Remember" said Mrs. Smithkins,
under no circumstances, let any one
in, no matter who knocks, after 9
o'clock Lock every door carefully.
And bolt yourselves into your rooms.
There have been burglars around"
That evening Lolo got the boys
their supper, and sat in her mothers
chair Hal occupied his fathers seat
with appropriate gravity; as tor
Billy, the Kid-he called down the
reproof of the oldest members of the
family by his irreverent conduct at
table.
Suppose" SAID Lolo, distinctly
breaking this temporary repose,
suppose burglar should Gomez
The three looked at each other,
while the full horror of this sugges-
ton trickled down their spinal col
umns.
II tell you what. Let's prepare
for him." said Hal bravely. We'll
fix him."
Think so?" asked Billy doubtful
w. Hal replied with scornful look.
He deigned no other answer.
And now dishes and studies were
forgotten in the new industry
OF inventing burglar alarms.
1t was unanimously decided that an
entrance would be effected first
through the cellar.
80 Hal, whose genius for subtle
combination had its full play for the
hrst time, sent Billy for the furnace
coal shovel, while Lola was directed
to fill a pail of water. After many
experiments the shovel was at last
so balanced that if the cellar door
INTO the kitchen were touched from
the cellar side the shovel would top.
pie down Smartly upon the burglars
back.
1t will cut his head off, | shouldn't
Wondtr," asserted Billy the Kid.
But Hal expressed no concern
about the decapitated burglar. He
was engaged in suspending strings
above the door so that If it were
opened the contents of Lolo's pail
would be precipitated upon the luck
less lntruder's head
i guess that'll fix him." said Hal,
surveying his handiwork with an
artistic eye.
Having secured the kitchen the chill
dren went into the dining room that
led from it. Here they piled all the
dining room chairs one on top of the
other, up against the door, so that
the slightest jar wond send the
whole lot down with crash.
In the meanwhile they had loaded
their arms with the tinware from the
Kitchen. Over the front door they
had suspended all their dish pans
and tin pie plates and the wash boil
err, tied together with the inevitable
string, so that it the front door
should be opened foot or so all the
TIN In the house would clatter down.
1t was high studded house, and
over the parlor door in the hall was
aportrait of their uncle Henry taken
when a boy. The children had never
regarded the picture with too great
respect. Hal now arranged it so
mat when the parlor door should be
opened at a certain angle, the por-
Iralt would be precipitated upon the
burglars head-if he ever got as far
as that alive.