Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27
MISCELLANY.
BURGLARS THREE.
by James Harvey smith.
copyright, 1896, by the Author.l


a crib one of the three remained outside
20 warn with whistle or some other
previously concerted signal his compan-
ions inside. But ON this occasion, when
Jim Baxter opened the simple catch
that fastened the woodshed door and
thence gained access to the interior of
the house, Wilson Graham and Harry
Montgomery followed softly after him.
This breach of burglarious custom was
probably due to the fact that the Braith-
wait mansion was in the suburbs, some
distance from the road and several hun
dred yards from the nearest house.
Once inside, Mr. Graham lighted the
gas, and il was then the work of very
few minutes to open the sideboard and
subtract therefrom the family silver and
place it in bag brought for that pur-
pose. While this operation was taking
place, Montgomery made a tour of the
upper rooms
81 don't exactly like to trust Harry
up stairs" remarked Baxter in a surly
tone after he had securely tied the
mouth of the bag. "He is too soft. Like
as not he'll go and git sentimental over
q picture or somethin or maybe git
a-thinkin of his mother and leave half
the ornyments. "
Graham, who had just opened pearl
inlaid secretaire and was possessing
himself of numerous valuable trinkets,
laughed softly as he replied:
81 don't think so, Jim. Only yester-
day gave the boy good talking to,
and he promised to attend strictly to
business in future. You must remem-
Der he is young, and unless we give him
a chance how is he to learn? OF course,
if there was a young girl in the house
but there isn't" he added quickly, OBJ
serving the wrathful frown ON his COM
panion's face. II made certain that the
only people who sleep in the house are
Mr.. Braithwait and the housekeeper,
who is rather old and nearly deaf. The
rest of the family are in Florida for
their health. If Braithwait makes dis
turbance, reckon Harry can settle him
without any sentimental nonsense.
''I'd settle him." muttered Baxter
surlily.
You're a savage, JIM" said Ora
ham responsibility. How often have ]
told you that there is no virtue in VIC
lence. Haven't convinced you that the
easy way is the safe way?'
Yah, don't give me no more Of
thatr' said Baxter CONTEMPORARY. 81
amt no missionary.
At this juncture, when the argument
threatened to develop into a quarrel,
peace was restored by the temperance
of the young burglar, carrying a consid,
cradle quantity of jewelry, loose and in
boxes, while he softly whistled MAP
pari."
mot bad haul, " observed Graham.
turning over the plumber as it lay on
the table. 1.-TWO watches?''
They're them little tickers what the
girls carry said Baxter scornfully.
ave won't get So apiece for 'em."
won't we, thought said Graham
smiling. "They. are gold, and there ii
an Inscription on each. That means {
fancy reward, or 1 don't know human
feminine nature. Two brooches, a neck
lace. HIM, him. Very good indeed.
There was no money" remarked
Harry, adjusting his necktie before the
mirror and giving his small blonde
mustache curl.
81 expected as much" commented
Graham, storing away the trinkets il
his pockets "Braithwait has a hun
bred with him, / dare say, but it ism
worth the risk. If we kill a man in tn,
city, it's soon forgotten, but in thu
suburbs it creates a regular panic. TIL,
neighbors hire detectives and follow 1
man all over creation, and you can
buy them off or compromise the matter
Money is no object. That's why keel
telling Jim
LET up, will yep' exclaimed Baxte
roughly. 81 amt KILN nobody, am ~
Certainly not. But only say
'Say nothin. Where's the feed box?'
Mr.. Graham groaned and looked a
his young accomplice in comical alarm
81 knew how it would be, Jim; thes
luncheons will be the ruin of us al
some night.
Cant help it, 2" retorted Baxter dog
gedly. "It's good four mile walk from
the city and as much back, and w,
hadn't anything but a snack for supper
A mans got to eat, and when I'm hun
gry''-
"Well, WE'LL" said the other, witt
gesture of impatience, 'if it must be
1t must. Harry, see to the wine, ant
We'll find the substantials. Now, Jim
do be careful of the dishes, and dom
grunt and puff while you're eating
It's vulgar"
Jim Baxter grunted and pulled a
this, but made no other reply as b.
busted himself spreading the content
of the refrigerator ON the dining room
table, while Harry, from the sideboard
produced a decanter of whisky ant
three bottles of claret. There were a mic
piece of cold ham, some tongue, chees
and pickles, bread and butter, anchovie
and sardines, bottle of olives and tn
remains of an oyster pie.
"Quite a layout, remarked Baxter
with a ravenous chuckle. "D'ye re-
member the house at Barleytown where
there wasn't nothin but graham crack
ers and vinegar in the box?"
II should say so, exclaimed Ora
ham, with look of disgust.
''SOme people are too mean to live, ;
returned Baxter savagely. "Come, show
over that decanter, and let's pitch in
Fingers, gents, cause there amt nothil
but silver knives and forks in thi
house, unless / take 'em out of the bag
which / amt doin. Here's luck"
Excellent claret, Wilson, " said tn
vOunO h,trular boldin0 his 0Iass mn .,