The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05
HER MODEST DISCLAIMER.
A Female Burglar Cnpturer Makes
No Claim TO Bravery.


When the members OF the West More
land Wemen's Club met last Thursday aft
ernoon Mrs. Tilbrook was the heroine OF
the occasion. 1t was the first time her fel-
low-members had seen her since her en-
counter with the burglar, save that two or
| three who lived near had run in to dis
cuss the exciting event with her. Now the
club was holding its regular weekly meet
ing. and there was an unusually fun at
| tendance, for Mrs. Tilbrook was cure to
be there and all the members Wished TO
see her. fl g.
Her heroic deed. full accounts OF which
had appeared in the daily papers, accom-
panied by pictures and diagrams. had been
the capture of man who had entered the
Tilbrook residence late at night, with
burglarious intent. She had heard him
open the door almost noiselesslys creep up
stairs stealthily and feel his way through
the upper hall. She was waiting for him
in the dark at the other end. broomstick
in hand. and when he came within strik-
ing distance she had brought the broom
down on his head with such force as to
strike him to the ground, quite uncon-
scious.
She had theI. rushed to the window and
yelled "Police.' Incredible as it may seem,
a policeman was at the moment passing
the house. He responded to her call in
cuffs before that misguided man recovered
consciousness. When this occurred, the in
truder was very much surprised at his con-
dition His disablement and capture had
been SO sudden that literally he did not
know what had hit him.
This was the story. spread out over more
space than is here given to 1t, which the
ladies of West Moreland read in the morn
ing papers only the day before the present
meeting.
No wonder Mrs. Tilbrook was a heroine,
How on earth dia you have the cour
age to meet him?" asked one of the mem
bers.
eAnd with only broom, too,' chimed in
another.
Tell us all about it, demanded third.
81 wonder you didn't faint dead away, -
commented another. admiringly.
isn't she drawer" asked one.
"a regular heroinel" was the reply of
the members TO whom this query was adj
dressed
Mrs. Tilbrook enjoyed all these remarks
and many more OF the same tenor, and
several times she extended her hands as
though asking for silence, to permit her to
say something. but as more women came
in every minate. and every one had some
observation to add to those remarks al
ready mace, ana as those VINO began to
talk first showed no signs of stopping, there
was no opportunity for Mrs. TiIbrook to
say anything for fully ten minutes, and
then, in reply to a demand TO tell us all
about it," from several women at once,
she said:
Ladies, you do me entirely too much
honor, for l do not deserve your encomi-
ums on my valor; not at ALL
Isn't she modesto" asked two or three
in breath.
Indeed, l do not, ladies'" Mrs. TIL
brook went on. ''It is true that l fe1led
the burglar TO the floor with one blow of
the broom. there being no one in the house
but myself at the time. I think the burg
lar must have known that my husband was
downtown at the time and chose that DC
casion for his visit. II was after mid
night and l was sitting up for Mr. Til
brook. I will admit that l was getting
erossef every minute. and was determined
to give him a piece of my mind. when he
did arrive. For this reason, ladies, am
sure. l deserve none of the high praise
which you hive bestowed upon me. You
see. ladies. when l brought the broom down
on the burglars head l was quite sure il
was my husband l was hitting. When he
fell saw that it wasn't. and l ran to the
window and screamed. So you see there
was nothing brave about it after ALL"
''Of course not" susered the married
women present and then the regular bust
ness of fh- club was proceeded with.