Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-05-24

softly If you can get into house soon
er than | can. Have you ever done
time?"
"Just been released from 20 years In
Sing Sing" answered. But was GLAD
it was dark, for am only 30 years old
and / might have looked too young tC
suit the story.
"WhewI" he remarked. You must
be a corker." / nodded dignifed as
sent to this.
"Come along" said l. 1--WE will &c
in by the door,"
That's dangerous" he answered
There are people in the house, aren't
there?"
There were lots of them," replied
"but I've scared them all away"
How'd you do it?" he asked, in an
awed manner.
made believe was ghost" l an
swered.
"Say, pard, you're Jim Dandy" said
my burglar, with enthusiasm. us
there any stuff in the house?"
1--WE located lots of it," l replied
There's money, solid silver, jewelry
silk dresses, half pie, an autograph
album-everything you can imagine"
Say, you're a chief" said my bur
glar. "I'll follow you anywhere and
do anything you say"
1 may make long story short by
saying that my bold demeanor and ap
parent professional skill completely
captivated him. He was both aston
ished and delighted at the brave man
ner in which l entered rooms, tripped
up and down stairs, lighted lamps and
ransacked bureau drawers and closets
Moreover, he was amazed at my knowl
edge of the interior of the premises
and the whereabouts of the valuables
He said he recognized in me an ex
pert, compared with whom he was
veritable tyro. He hazarded many
guesses as to my professional name
and admired me all the more for de-
clining to give myself away" as he
termed it. In the end he followed me
around like a dog and obeyed every
instruction 1 gave him unquestion
ingly.
had succeeded admirably so far II
my plan, as you will observe, but how
to complete the affair was a difficult
matter. l knew that Maria would bt
at home bright and early, and l would
have to get rid Of my new-found FRIEND
before she arrived if hoped for any
peace and comfort for at least the en-
suing year. My burglar had become sc
devoted to me that was sure he would
follow me wherever 1 went, so there
was no use in trying to leave the house
After proving to the satisfaction o.
my burglar that there was no one In
the mansion, l finally hit upon the plar
of inviting him to spend the night ant
take an early breakfast with me be
fore we departed. He was charmed
with the idea, and declared that If
could risk it he could. So we went t.
sleep side by side in my own bed.
could have killed him hundred times
during the night if had not been sc
afraid of the rear end of my gun. Ihao
got that gun as boot" in horse trade
and there is no telling how anything
will kick that you get in horse trade
So I let him sleep peacefully on, ever
after l had risen myself, chopped thu
days wood and prepared the break
fast.
We were just sitting down to thu
meal when Maria appeared on the scene
of action. 1t would grieve me even a
this late day to describe the manner
and language of my good wife on see
ing me entertaining visitor, as i
were. Suffice it to say that she gav'
me a dressing down that scared m.
burglar into hasty departure. Fl,
was Influenced, have no doubt, by m!
own change in demeanor. He saw hi
"chief," as he was pleased to call me
quail before the enemy and he was un
nerved. So he took the first oppor
tunity to slip out of the side door ant
make for the corn lot, and have neve
seen him since.
l have done all could to convinc'
Maria that acted for the best on thi
occasion, but whenever l mention /
she simply remarks: "Liar!"-St
Louis GlObe-Democrat.