The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-19
81 - s=:g z4d(e

I heart to think Id have to disappont EN-,
so | did the best could for en-.
1T was a poor best" | said. but tell
me why you took the things out OF the
colonels dining room window one night
and out OF the hall window the next
night?"
That's easy" he said, with wan smile
| The colonel moved his sleeping room to
the other side OF the house after the first
| robbery. and | was afraid he might get
! up IN the night and look out OF his win
dow
You watched the house all might for
him. did your"
Yes except for about an hour long
! enough 10 slip over here with an armful."
mY '''' "A'' ''' YOU S''"s 10 10 1''4'
God knows; don't" he repeated. 1T
Will kill her II you toll her"
| DO You want me 10 arrest you tonight,
or will YOU wait until morning."
Christmas day" he exclaimed. break
ing down and beginning 10 cry like a baby
| You are about the simplest fellow
ever saw / said, shaking him roughly by
he shoulder. Hanging is too good for you
and electrocution wouldn't serve you half
right How dare you rob "A good employer
nou't don't say anything more he
cried. Il know ! am Il wretch-only kill
uc-do anything. but don't tell her"
II might have been that the spirit Of
Christmas was ia the air Perhaps the
| thought OF those six little children and
That swee,-faced wife had Il stronger in-
iuence than they should have had over
q detectives heart. But | said 10 him
well bundle up the things and come
along with me- and well see what We
cin do about ii"
We looked like two Santa Clauses our
selves ass We slipped along the streets,
choosing by-ianes and cross-paths TO the
Payne residence There IT lay in the moon
light and the snow around 1t was white
and uutalntcd. not black and besmrged
like our souls.
We got Into the triangular lawn by u
roar path and stole softly UP to the house
There was the dining room brilliantly
lighted, and in The middle stood tree
all haro aud waiting for gifts, just as
told the colonel to arrange It,
There was no one in the room, and after
had pried up the sash we stole in to-
sether There was Only just time to drop
our packages on the floor at the foot OF
he tree and to rush away again before
the coloneIs daughter came in.
"Oh. pap' she cried. Here are some
more presents for u.s.
But heard no more just then, for | was
busy helping poor Winter get away. An
hour later ! rang the colonels front door
bell lie opened tho door himselt
Come right IN" said he Il guess you
are a wizard tonight Just after we had got
the Chriaimas tree set up and while we
We're upstairs getting our presents to-
Pciher to hang on the tree the thief came
back aud left the Christmas presents
Everything thore?" / asked.
: Everything" said he. down to the
last teaspoon, We have counted them all
Poor fellow, he must have had guilty
conScience, and when il came Christmas
eve he squared 1t with himself by sending
back all he had stolen"
"Strange!" said |.
VERY strange" said the colonel. ard
like II knew who the thief was. to send
him something for a Christmas present.
iuSt MS a reward for his conscience Al, IL
is | ask Won detective not to look him IN
lie has eNdoptly turned over new Leaf
this Christmas owe"
Evidently" said l.
Now. detective" said the colonel, az
am going to ask You to stay with us over
christmas and enjoy a nice holiday. And
so that We can all have an extra fine day.