The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1900-08-11

MY RESPECTABLE friend, Mr..
simbell, who had left the skilled
profession of house breaking for the
more humdrum but safer occupation
Of coal dealer, is a man with consid-
cradle sense of humor.
Il can tell you a story about me
and Andy and Patsy Darlington that
isn't bad fun he said to me one day.
at was like this. Andy and me
often met at the Angel, in. Brixton,
and one day We were together and
pretty hard up. Well, in comes Patsy
a fellow l never cared much for, al
though he and Andy chummed to-
gether. We saw he'd something on his
mind, and l thought he wanted me
gone, but Andy would make me stop
for it. Patsy had been down near
Leatherhead to see some friends, and
he thought he'd spotted a good thing.
Ever heard of Sir Miles Harold,
sir? o, you have. Well, then, you
know that he was nearly a millionaire,
if not quite. His father was big con
tractor, but Miles was one of them
scientific gents, always bothering
with chemicals and things of that sort.
Patsy came down with the news
that it was a place worth cracking.
Sir Miles had got some splendid gold
and silver plate, and, as the house
wasn't well guarded, it was an easy
job.
You crack it, then, Patsy SEES l.
I'm bit superstitious about scientific
Gents
Its as easy as winkin',' he SEES.
The old fool thinks nothing but about
his playthings.'
Andy looked at me and winked.
and then told Patsy to dry up while
him and. me talked it over. A. last we
decided that Andy should go down and
have look at the job hisself, and if it
was all right we should go in partner
ship over il.
HE went the next day. He was
there a day or two and came back
quite enthusiastic, and we set to work
at once.
1--WE hired a greengrocer's cart, with
fast pony, to do the job with. Patsy
drove down to Leatherhead, and Andy
and me went by train. Patsy was to
look after the cart while Andy and me
got the swag. but the programme had
10 be altered. The morning we set out
1 slipped on the wet pavement, and
came down on my arm. II wasn't
broken, but il was badly bruised and
my wrist was sprajned, and l had to
be odd man out stead of Patsy.
Il drew up outside the house as near
to the grounds asI could get, and my
chums went on. 1t was capital night,
no moon. but starlight.
PATSY had marked swing window
TO the larder, and, being a slim chap,
he wriggled through and went round
to the dining-room window and let
Andy in.
THE best of the plate was kept in a
cabinet in the dining-room. 1t only
took Patsy a minute or two to pick
the lock. and Andy sucked, in his
breath at the sight inside. They were
busy storing it in the bag. when sud
denly the room blazed with light
electric light, of course--and a quiet
voice said; Please put your hands
above your heads. or / must shoot
at was such knOckdown surprise
that their hands went up almost by
themselves, and they screwed round
their heads to see Sir Miles--a pale
dreamy-loolCing gent with a big fore
understanding in doorway with a
revolver covering them
Don'tgive me the trouble to shoot,
gentlemen; IL would make such q
nasty mess on the carpet, ses he. Car
ruthers, bring me some cord
"A big young fellow stepped for.
ward with laugh and began fastsn.
'hg their hands and elbows together
after which he hobbled their feet.
When they were trussed up Sir
Niles commanded them to follow him
and they shuffied along. with tbs
Young chap behind. He led them int6
TIE workshop and made them 81
down.
Very interesting capture, Caruth
srs said Sir Miles. 'BungIarsg
Yes. sir ses Carruthers.
fou are not VERY intelligent mem
hers Of your profession he ses I,
Ahoy and Pat 'or you would not hari
come here. carruthers. oblige me b,
going outside and coming IN by III
window As these gentlemen did.
Nani TO show them how stupid the.
we're
les, sir he sea, and he went out
ahc presently bell close to them be
ran ringing softly. He is getsin.
fo0rh the window now res ST
A..es. AID this befr-pointing TO al
]eer-rAag when yoz opened tn
so.hti- You were sxcesdngiy fool