Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-01-09

guardian Of the pig house TOT 1oiG- night while the family went away, is of no interest to the reader. was a man of 24, given to sentiment and poetry, and "The Beeches" stood midway be- tween Allenville and Scottsdale-three miles from either village. The house was old and big and full of what would be valuable plunder for thieves.
 The supposition was. as near as can remember, that poet and revolver would keep thieves at distance. l know that the people went away be- lieving that all would be well, and that I took possession feeling that not so much as an apple would be taken from the tree in the rear of the kitchen while I was in charge. During the day I over- hauled the quaint old books in the li- brary, wandered over the grounds and wrote poetry. When night came 1 tum- bled into bed and slept like log. l saw that the doors and windows were fastened, but I did not figure out just how I, on the second floor. and sleeping like trooper after an all days ride, was to hear the burglars who should enter the lower part of the house. Per haps I trusted that Providence would turn their footsteps towards some other house. At any rate, somehow failed to hit it.
 On the third night of my stay. shortly before midnight. and when I was sleep ing the sleep of the just, heavy hand was laid on my shoulder in q way to arouse me. looked up to wink and blink at the light of a lantern in my eyes, and pretty soon I made out the face and figure of a man bending over me- He was a middle-aged man, not bad looking. and if he hadn't had q pistol in his hand, I might have taken him for anything but burglar
 Are you acting as protector of this house? he queried when he saw that I was awake.
 "Yes."
 Hal ha! hal That's a good joke on the house I've been sloshing around the place for two hours and just discoy- cred you by accident. Are you good natured man?"
 ''Wbat has that to do with it9" I demanded. pretending to feel very brave.
 Not such a great deal. If you are a good-natured chap, I'd like to have you come downstairs and lunch with me. If you are cranky and irritable I'll have to bind and gag you andsleaYe you where you are
 "You-you are thief?" asked.
 "Oh. mol" he replied with smile. "A thief robs clothes-lines and hem roosts. I am a robber and burglar. 4 thief may get three or six months in jail. but for such job as this I'd get from seven to ten years. There would be two charges here-breaking and en- tering in the night time, and robbery from a dwelling. Did you say you'd lunch with me?''
 T prefer that to being bound and gagged
 "Then come along. got yonr pistol before you woke up. Don't be fool now and attempt any tricks on me. Just behave yourself, and I'll try and entertain you
 He sat down on chair and looked around. while got into my clothes. His face was naturally frank and open, and he smiled at me as if we were the best of friends. When ready to go downstairs he motioned for me to pre- cede him. and I walked through the hall and sitting room into the dining room, to find the table spread for two. There were the remains of a cold ham, bread and butter. q bottle of wine, a tumbler of jelly. some cheese, and a bit of cake. and the intruder waved his hand over the table and said:
 Just sit right down and make your self at home. I had prepared lunch for one only, but after discovering your presence in the house, I put on an extra plate. It is early in the night yet, and do not care to leave for couple of hours"
 What do you intend to steal here ?'' I asked, as he poured out the wine.
 "Please don't use the word steal" he replied, with a frown. "Anyone-even child-can steal, and it's very low business. l intend to rob this house of its silverware. It is all packed up in that bundle over there. If I had cou- pie of men with me 1 should take away some of the paintings and rugs. The silver will be fair haul, however. What profession haveyou entered upon, may l ask? ?"
 replied that had not yet made up my mind what profession to adopt, and was dabbling a little in literary mat tcrs.
 "Ah! I see. Any of your literary work on hand? It would help out the entertainment, you know. Indeed, I think l saw some verses on the library table. will bring them in and you will read them to me"
 There were four or five of my poems" lying about the library. and he gathered them all up and brought them to the table and said
 T am something of q poet myself Here seems to be an ode to somebody named Margaret. Just read it. will you?"
 demurred and he insisted, and I felt like fool as l began to read. Mar garet was the girl l was in love with, and I had written 16 verses on bn7. ax,ac