Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-10-25

more humdrum but safer occupation
cd coal dealer, is a man with eonss
cradle sense of humor.
Il can tell you story about me
and Andy and Patsy Darlington that
isn't bad fun" he said TO me one day
ut was ike this. Andy and me
often met at the Angel, in Brixton
and one day we were together ant
pretty hard up. Well, in comes Patsy
a fellow / never cared much for al.
though he and Andy ehummed To-
gether. We saw he'd something on his
mind. and / thought he wanted me
gone, but Andy would make me stop
for il. 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 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 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 ses /.
I'm a bit supersdtious about scientific
gents
"'It's as easy as winkin',' he ses.
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. At last we
decided that Andy should 60 down and
have a look at the job hisself, and If it
was all right we should 60 in partner
ship over it.
HE went the next day. He was
there a day or two and came back
quite enthusiastic, and we set to work
at once.
I'VE 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
TO be altered. The morning we set out
I slipped on the wet pavement and
came down on my arm. II wasn't
broken, but it was badly bruised and
my wrist was sprained, and had TO
be odd man out stead of Patsy.
IL drew up outside the house as near
to the grounds as | could get, and my
chums went on. II was capital night,
no moon, but starlight.
PATSY had marked a swing window
to the larder, and, being a slim chap
he wriggled through and went round
to the dinng-room window and let
Andy in.
"The best Of the plate was kept in a
cabinet in the dining-room. IL 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 ii 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
ut was such a knockdown surprise
that their hands went up almost by
themselves, and they screwed round
their heads 10 see Sir Miles-a pale,
dreamy-looking gent, with big fore
Understanding in a doorway with a
revolver covering them.
Don'tgive me the trouble to shoot,
gentlemen; it would make such a
nasty mess on the carpet, ses he. Car
ruthers. bring me some cord
"A big young fellow stepped for
ward with a laugh and began fas1en-
ing their hands and elbows together,
after which he hobbled their feet
when they were trussed up Sir
Miles commanded them TO follow him.
and they shufiled along. with the
young chap behind. He led them into
the workshop and made them sit
down.
" Very interesting capture, Caruth-
ers,' said Sir Miles. Burglars
Yes, sir, ses Carruihers.
You are not very intelligent men,
bers 81 your profession he ses TO
Andy and Pat 'or you would not have
come here Carruthers, oblige me BY
going outside and coming in by the
window as these gentlemen did. l
want TO show them how stupid they
were,
Yes, sir he seS and he went out
and presently bell close 10 them be
gan ringing softly He is getting
through the window now ses Sir
Miles. And this bell'-pointing TO an
other-'rang when you opened the
cabinet. You were exceedingly fool
ish'
""lf you'll let US 60. sir. ses Andy,
speaking mis- politest, wen never be
foolish 10 more. You're too clever q
gent for us, SIR
'Carruthers,' he ses when his man
came in again, this foolish person sug-
sests that I should let them 20. He
does not know how well timed this
visit is. capital opportunity for
trying my new battery. CarrutherS.