Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27

banker or a man living on an annuity;
to his right reclined rather than sat
young Montgomery, a spruce and sleu-
der fellow, with soft blue eyes, trem-
ulous lips and light hair, neatly
brushed, while opposite Graham sat
Baxter, a coarse, shaggy, grimy man
of uncertain age, with small, shifty
eyes, heavy beard and a general air of
brutal strength Had it not been for the
| fact each man wore his hat and that the
! bag of stolen goods lay on one corner of
the table it might have been taken for
a small stag party, Graham personating
the host to perfection.
The resemblance was lost, however, a
moment later The door leading to the
back stairway, directly behind Jim Bax-
ter, opened and revealed a spare man
with long blond whiskers, wearing
gold eyeglasses and lowered dressing
gown.
Graham was the first to see the in
truder, and his exclamation of astonish-
ment caused Baxter to turn his head.
In an instant that worthy was on his
feet, with pistol in his hand. Graham
was quicker, however, and before his
companion could raise the weapon he
seized his arm and pushed him aside.
''No violence, Jim" he said sternly.
81 warn't goin to shoot, growled
Jim. II was only goin to give him
crack on the head. "
81 won't have it,, returned Graham
authoritatively. "Sit down"
Baxter put up his pistol and sat down.
Graham then turned to the spare gen.
tleman, who had not moved from the
doorway during this episode.
''Mr. Braithwait, presumed?
"That is my name, " was the reply.
Burglars presumed"
"The presumption is correct Will
you take a seat?'
Mr.. Braithwait sat down opposite
young Montgomery, to whom he bowed
gravely. There was then moment of
silence, broken by Graham, who had
resumed his place at the head of the
table.
81 am sorry" said he, "you have
made your appearance as we can't very
well apologize for our intrusion.
"No, l suppose not, said Mr.. Braith-
wait, smiling. "Yet am rather pleased
that did come, since / always enjoy
an unusual experience.
"Glad you enjoy it," muttered Bax-
ter. But no one listened to him.
81 was aroused by the reflection of
the gaslight in the upper hall, explain
ed Mr.. Braithwait, land l supposed
ing. She has done so more than once. l
came down to extinguish it. 1 heard
voices in this room. and entered"
At the risk of your life, - observed
Graham, with significant glance at
Baxter, who had resumed eating.
81 did not think of that, said Mr.
Braithwait simply. my life has been
threatened so often-you know am a
railroad man--that l give little thought
to risk of an undertaking. Profession
ais, l SUPPOSE
He looked at Montgomery. who nod.
ded nonohalantly and lighted q ciga-
rette
MIR. Braithwait coughed.
81 wish you wouldn't, +" he said dep
recatingly. Apart from the looks, l
can't bear cigarette smoke. There's a
box of very fine Conchas ON the side
hoard. Thank you," TO Graham, "if
you will join me Thank you again. F"
Graham laughed with genuine enjoy
ment, yet without vulgarity.
II like you" he said frankly, land
/ am sorry that, III spite of the line of
business He waved his cigar at the
bag.
"Of course, yes, Of course, l know
that can't be helped, " said Mr. Braith-
wait, smoking away easily, land that g
another reason why I'm glad came. !
suppose You have in that bag some
trinkets belonging to my wife and
daughters that have a special value as
mementos. l hear that you gentlemen
are frequently forced to sell your plum
der at simply ruinous sacrifice, and il
occurred to me that if we could come to
some arrangement-you understand
Perfectly" answered Graham. at
can be done, and will open negotia-
lions at an early date, provided, Of
course, y he added severely, that you
play fair
THAT is understood. AS a business
man l accept the situation. My loss is
your gain. "
At this the youngest burglar broke 81.
lence for the first time.
'You are philosopher, he eaid in
a tone of admiration.
"What sensible man is not?" respond
ed Mr.. Braithwait cheerfully. 81 sup
pose it is capable of proof that the &C.
cumulated wisdom of the ancients
amounts simply TO the homely proverb,
What can't be cured must be endured.
NV business is sort of war. and have
my defeats as well as my victories. /
must bear them both with equanimity. ="
$50 is ours" said the youngest bur-
glar CAS- Horace says in his 'Epistles,
'Cedimur, ct totidem plagis CONSUME
mus hostem. -
Permit me, returned Mr.. Braith-
wait, "to reply with Catullus, Nil
mihi tam valde placeat Rhamnusia vir-
go, quod temere invitis susoipiatur
heris. 4"
Montgomery flushed slightly, and
Baxter growled an incoherent protest
against the use of foreign languages
"Of course, do not claim that en-
joy being robbed" continued Mr..
Braithwait, "but 1 realize that it is not
as bad as it might be. Last week you
would have caught me with $4,000 in
cash in the house. and last month you
would have horribly scared my wife
] and dauObtars