Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-12-10

Fannie wIll nave to lexplain that to
you" said Jessie. beginning to under
stand the situation ''I)imagine we are
both the victims or an ATTEMPTED prac-
teal Joke"
Then Fannie helped out by an occa-
sional word from Jennie, told Just how
and why burglar" had that night
entered Jessie's rOom-and this is the
substance Of what they told: They had
had 10 faith in Jessie's idea OF how
she would treat a burglar and had
thought to put her assertions to the
test by acting the part. OF robDer. BY
mutual consent. Fannie was 10 he
come the burglar. dressed in a CASTOR
suit OF her big brothers. padded to at
and wearing mask, false beard. nus
tache and wig. They had planned that
Fannie was to enter by the hall door
and in rummagilg the toilet-table was
TO make a noise sufficiently loud to
awaken the occupant of the bed. Then
leaving her to endure terror long
enough to make anyone so frightened
as to surrender at sight OF q revolver.
Fannie was to turn her attention TO
the bureau. Then, after searching
this, and pretending not to find valu-
aoles. they had planned that she was
to turn to Jessie and dwelling her re-
volver. command her to give I'D her
money. At this threat they had felt
confident that she would plead with
tears in her eyes and trembling with
fear for the burglar not to shoot and
he could take anything she had. Then
the disguise was to be removed and
the burglar was to disclose her iden-
tity.
The very first part of the programme
had passed of very smoothly. Fannie
having entered the door while Jennie
remained on the outside to hear what
passed within which she could not see.
But Fannie's inexperience in the art
or burglary had led her to make one
grave mistake which was to cost her
dear. Instead of carrying her revolver
with her she had left it lying on a
nearby chair, and because of this les
sic had become master of the situation
When Jennie heard Jessie's command
and afterwards heard the closet door
close she had fed in a panic to her bed
room where she remained until she
heard the door close after Jessie when
she hurried to her room, but was now
erless TO help Fannie, as there was but
one key to the closet door. and this
was at that moment safe in Jessie's
pocket. When she heard Constable
Murray and Jessie enter she had hur
ried to the stairs, but decided not to
tell her knowledge of the affair until
they had discovered Fannie. for JENNA
was rather timid by nature. if the
truth must be confessed. When the
story was finished, both girls asked
Jessie's forgiveness which was readily
granted. And. JESSIE" said Fannie. in
conclusion, "of course I could not be
selfish as to ask you not to tell about
1t, but please, please do not tell all the
details. was certainly punished
enough for IL all when you pointed
that awful revolver at my head. Ugh,
it makes me shudder now. Jessie. IN
never again question your bravery"
After this the Disguised constable
departed with a muttered imprecation
on girls foolishness, which kept a
man from having his nights rest"
When Mr.. and Mrs. Seward returned
there was no sign OF the excitement
which had reigned within an hour be-
FORE The girls were all in their rooms
and, to the best OF their belief, dream
ing.
On Monday at school Jessie refrain
ed from making any alluslon to Satur-
day nights incident, but the constable
had not been so kind, and the girls
were made the victims OF good-natured
ridicule which they bore as patiently
as possible. But both made inward
resolves to leave practical Joking
strictly alone in the future. for. as
Fannie said, They had had their I'm
gers too badly burned ever to play with
the fire again." NH