The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-02-24
VOL. XXXVI.


stalled at 1.-The Beeches" to act as
guardian of the big house for fcrt-
night while the family went away, is of
NO interest to the reader. was man
of "a, 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 a revolver
would keep thieves at distance. l
know that the people went away be-
lieving that all would be well, and that
l took possession feeling that not so
much as an apple would be taken from
the tree in the rear of the kitchen while
Twas in charge. During the day over
hauled the quaint old books in the IL
brary, wandered over the grounds and
wrote poetry. When night came tum-
bled into bed and slept like log.
saw that the doors and windows were
fastened, but l did not figure out just
how l, on the second floor, and sleeping
like trooper after an all days ride,
was to hear the burglars whs should
enter the lower part of the house. Per-
haps trusted that Providence would
.. turn their footsteps towards some
other house. At any rate, somehow
failed to bit it.
On the third night of my stay, shortly
before midnight, and when was sleep
ing the sleep of the just, a heavy hand
was laid on my shoulder in way to
arouse me. looked up to wink and
blink at the light of a lantern in my
eyes, and pretty soon made out the
face and figure of a man bending over
me. lie was a middle-aged man, not
bad looking. and if he hadn't had a
pistol in his hand, might have taken
him for anything but burglar.
"Are you acting as protector of this
house?' he queried when he saw that
was awake.
"Yes."
''Ha! ha! ha! That's good Joke or
the house! I've been sloshing around
the place for two hours and just discov
cred you by accident. Are you good
natured MANI"
"What has that to do with it?'
! demanded, pretending to feel very
"NotRs6c q great deal. If you ar
a good-natured chap, I'd like to hav'
you come downstairs and lunch Will
me. If you are cranky and irritable
III have to bind and gag you and leav'
you where you are"
"You-you are theft" asked.
"Oh, mol" he replied with a smile
"a thief robs clothes-lines and hen
roosts. I am a robber and burglar. 4
thief may get three or six months il
Jail, but for such job as this I'd &c
from seven to ten years. There woult
be two charges here-breaking and en-
tering in the night time, and robber,
from a dwelling. Did you say you't
lunch with me?"
II prefer that to being bound ant
gagged"
"Then come along. l got your pisto
before you woke up. Don't be foo
now and attempt any tricks on me
just behave yourself, and I'll try ant
entertain you"
He sat down on a chair and LOOKED
around. while got into my clothes. Hi
face was naturally frank and open
and he smiled at me as if we we're tn
best of friends. When ready to e,
downstairs he motioned for me to pre-
cede him, and l walked through th'
hall and sitting room into the dining
room, to find the table spread for two
There were the remains of cold ham
bread and butter, a bottle of wine,
tumbler Of jelly, some cheese, and a hi
OF cake, and the intruder waved hi
hand over the table and said:
"Just sit right down and make your
self at home. had prepared lunch TO
one only, but after discovering you
presence in the house, put on an extr
plate. 1t is early in the night yet, an,
] do not care to leave for couple o
hours"
l was not afraid of the man. He ha,
broken his way into the house, an,
had said that he was robber an,
burglar, but he was not a ruffian il
speech or appearance. AS looked hin
over made up my mind that he was
man OF nerve, and in case of resistanc
would be desperate fellow, but di'
not intend to resist him.
What do you intend to steal here :?
asked, as he poured out the wine.
Please don't use the word steal" h
replied, with frown. "Anyone-eve
= child-can steal, and it's very lo1
BUSINESS. l intend to rob this house O
its siiverware. 1t is all packed up il
tnat bundle over there. If had cou
fe OF men with me should take ava
some OF the paintings and rugs. TIL
aiver will be a fair haul, however
"nat profession have you entered upor
may ask?'
replied that had not yet made u
my mind what profession to adopt, an,
was dabbling a little in literary mat
ters.
ah! | see. Any OF your literar
sork on hand? 1t would help out tn
entertainment, you know. Indeed,
'a'ak saw some verses on the ibrar