The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-05-04

| lAC 6CSSAlCC1lGA 4OuhS& tAACf 10SASAS11
to the ground with what the neWspa-
pers call a dull, sickening thud."
"What do yer want?" he asked, after
he had recovered his breath. 4 s55s.s. S
II just want to be friendly" ! an
swered, advancing toward him. '.I'm
a burglar myself, and l thought we
might just as we'll join forces, you
know. I had just effected an entrance
when you came up. I heard you, and
feared we might disarrange each
others plans" IS 8.S
"Humph!" said he. ''You don't look
much like a burglar. But you're no
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" I answered. But was glad
it was dark, for am only 30 years old,
and might have looked too young to
suit the story.
be corker." I nodded dignified as
sent to this. :: il,
"Come along" said I. 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," I replied,
''but I've scared them all away
How'd you do it?" he asked, in an
awed manner.
made believe I was a ghost" an
swered.
Say, pard, you're Jim Dandy" said
my burglar, with enthusiasm. lis
there any stuff in the house?''
''I've located lots of it," I replied.
There's money, solid silver, jewelry,
silk dresses, half a 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"
I may make long story short by
saying that my bold demeanor and APP
parent professional skill completely
captivated him. He was both aston
ished and delighted at the brave man.
ner in which I 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 a
veritable tyro. He hazarded many
guesses as to my professional name,
and admired me all the more for de-
Ginning to give myself away" as he
termed it. In the end he followed me
around like dog and obeyed every
instruction gave him unquestion-
ingly.
1 had succeeded admirably so far in
my plan, as you will observe, but how
to complete the affair was a difficult
matter. I knew that Maria would be
at home bright and early, and 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 so
devoted to me that l was sure he would
follow me wherever I went, so there
was no use in trying to leave the house.
After proving to the satisfaction of
my burglar that there was no one in
the mansion, I finally hit upon the plan
OF inviting him to spend the night and
take an early breakfast with me be-
fore we departed. He was charmed
with the idea, and declared that if I
could risk it he could. So we went to
sleep side by side in my own bed. I
could have killed him hundred times
during the night if I had not been so
afraid of the rear end of my gun. 1 had
got that gun as boot" in horse trade,
and there is no telling how anything
will kick that you get in a horse trade.
So l let him sleep peacefully on, even
after had risen myself, chopped the
days wood and prepared the break
fast. .,...
We were just sitting down to the
meal when Maria appeared on the scene
of action. It would grieve me even at
this late day to describe the manner
and language of my good wife on see
ing me entertaining a visitor, as it
were. Suffice it to say that she gave
me dressing down that scared my
burglar into a hasty departure. He
was influenced, I have no doubt, by my
own change in demeanor. He saw his
"chief,' as he was pleased to call me,
quail before the enemy and he was I'M
nerved. So he took the first oppor-
tunity to slip out of the side door and
make for the corn lot, and have never
seen him since.
l have done all could to convince
Maria that I acted for the best on this
occasion, but whenever I mention it
she simply remarks: "Liar!"-St.
Louis Globe Democrat.