The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-28


looking customer. who snuffed deal, and
did not keep his face and hands over
clean. and used 10 spend most OF his time
during this daily stroll in hanging about
SECONDHAND bookstslls and brokers
shops.
Theophius Brownings was the brother
OF an Edinburgh merchant owning one OF
those large, old-fashioned houses In
side street or Newington. The old man
was a great scholar but as he had been
dreamer all his days. he had never de-
velopcd TO anything. and was now KIND
OF harmless pensioner I'm the house or his
aforesaid He had an allowance or E5o
a-year from his brother; but as he spent
every penny of IL on books and curiosities,
his clothes remained seedy and un-
changed for years I daresay Philip
Lrownings lost nothing by making this
allowance 10 his eccentric brother for
the articles SO picked up Wild probably
be worth great deal more when they
were sold as a collection. However. that
has little TO do with the remarkable case
in which the doited-looking old book
worm played the hero, and which i am
about % recall.
Regularly as the holiday season came
round. Philip prownings and his family
went Off TO the Highlands or seaside for
couple OF months. taking the servants
IN charge OF this old man. They would
gladly have taken him with them. but he
could never be persuaded TO leave Edin-
burgii even for single night Edinburgh
and it's bookstalls and brokers' shops was
his life--his world-and TO deprive him OF
that would have been to destroy his hap
piness. This arrangement proved very
satisfactory for many years, for the
plate and valuables never needed re-
oL n house hainR
never empty, was less liable to attract
thieves.
IL chanced. however. that I'm an evil
moment. during one July. the house fell
under the evil eye OF one OF my ''bairns.
named William Pike. Pike was not
trained OF professional thief; he was
only brutalized and cowardly Iaborer.
who was so eaten up with laziness aud
love OF drink that he had taken 10 the
life as the handiest at the moment.
Whether this was his real name or not
never knew but l remember well that IL
was never--even by his intimate asso-
ciates-contracted to VIII. or Wiilie-he
always got William in full.
Pike noticed the house. and Its size. and
promising look but az IL was enclosed
I'm a high wall he could not get quite
near enough 10 decide upon the easiest
way OF getting inside He discovered,
and that no one looked after the place
but an old and stupid-looking man. IL
pike had had companion In crime, he
would probably have arranged FOR
burglary in the usual way, but he work
ed alone. with such assistance as his
wife might give. and disliked danger. hard
work. or trouble OF any kind and so was
thrown back on his native cunning for
better plan. The windows were all shut
~ x.rlfl 81
one OF the attics far beyond his reach.
which was occupied by the old book
worm; and the doors were probably as
safely guarded. All this meant hard work
for the housebreaker, and tools of the
handling OF which William knew moth
ing; added to which was the fact that the
old man was never out OF the house at
night. and the robbery could not safely
be attempted by DAY.
"If IL had been the dark nights now.
and he was late OF getting back. how
easy II would be for me to rush on him
just as he gets the garden-door open.
knock I'm his head with neddy, and then
take the keys and go through the place
comfortable?" reflected the benevolent
william. ''Nobody would notice anything
in this quiet place. and 1t would all be in
side the door: but It's no use thinking OF
1t. for II II was winter the place wouldn't
be empty"
William. took to following the old man.
snc was often sorely tempted In doing so.
1T was the custom of Brownings. after
locking the garden gate, To keep the KEY
of that door on his finger during the
whole of his walk-that is. with the fore
finger OF the left hand thrust through the
ring OF the key, and the barrel lying I'm
the pain of his closed hand
"A good grab at It when he's looking
81 some O. them old looks would do the
trick" William often ,greedily reflected.
but then the good grab was just what
he lacked courage to make. though he
was In hope that the actual door Of the
house might be left either open or simply
on the latch.
lad William been certain as to how or
where the old man carried the actual
keys OF the house, he would have en-
ployed some of his distinguished ac-
ouaintances TO pick his pocket but though
ne watched the unconscious plant we'll
and narrowly, he never could get at that
knowledge.
'If could get In tow with the old
bloke and make him drunk. that would
be the plan" he fcverishly thought one
forenoon, after following him over the
half OF the city: but he hardly ever
drinks. and might he suspicious Wait!
by gum. think have it that would be
The plan. and he'd jump at the bait like
srinking."
Williams new inspiration did not take
long 10 develop and arrange; and the
next day he managed to get into CONVEX
sation with Browninss at one OF the
Dookstalls.
Il wouldn't give shilling for the
whole lot" he said. with a commtndable
contempt for fustinoss and age, IN ailu-
sion 10 the books on the stall: "in fact.
air. I've got a whole room down at my
place choke fun OF old books. and swords
s'nd nicknacks hundreds of years old.
End as mouldy as old cheese. and I'd give
the lot 20 anybody for five shillings. Just
10 get rid OF them"
"Old books. you say? hundreds OF
years old?' cried the old man with reused
interest. II should like TO see them"
''Tuts. they're not worth looking at"
said William. with great modesty. THE
rint Is mostly the old-fashioned kind.
End lots OF them are IN Latin. and Sther
foreign languages"
That's nothing 90 mel can read
hem" said Brownines. with whetted In
terest. Where Is your place. couldn't We
10 there now?'
Its away down In the Cowgate." said
william. IN apparent demur - good ~
rom here. but ] don't think you'd give
two ptnfe for them ALL"
= Browrings nevertheless declared that