The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-04
W have my sanction" and he bowed

entitled Our Right to Live It Is I
charming piece Of work for woman
logical, clear. and convincing. There Il
one passage only to which will refer. II
is impressed indelibly upon my memory"
He took up the poker, opened another bot
tie Of champagne. replenished the glasses
drank. and proceeded. THE passage II
this: All men who can work and who
will work have right. divine right. to
| live. not exist merely. but to live. and
| to share freely in the worlds superb abun-
dance Do you remember that excerpt?'
I nodded assent.
Well" he continued, -four years ago
I was eighteen I had just left Rugby.
when my father, who had occupied high
position as building society director.
passed unobtrusively away to enother
sphere. leaving liabilities OF an odd mil
lien or so. The widow and the orphan,
the ruined clergyman-in fact, all the i'm
beetle idiots who had lost all their saw
inss-vented their rage upon me. I was
fagellated by the press. cartooned by the
comic papers, and verbally assaulted at
every street corner, so changed my name
and disappeared. You would be surprised
at the difficulty a young man fresh from
public school experiences in obtaining
employment. In fact, there Is none for
him. 1t was then came across your lit
tie treatise"
"It has only been written . year." re-
marked triumphantly.
lh, we'll, some one must have antici-
pated you. There are burglars in the lit
erary line, you know" and he smiled at
me in a manner that made my blood boil.
well, / determined to embark in this
profession, which is merely a question Of
subtraction and addition. For example,
you have evidently a watch too many. I
have none. I subtract one from you. and
add to my belongings. One woman, ono
watch. One man. one watch. Mind you,
1t is not calling to suit lazy man I
have had to work hard, especially during
me three months. Well. I graduated BY
annexing coats. Then I took rooms in .
fashionable locality. and was liberal with
my patronage to West End tradesmen.
Then, in the language of the dramatic
profession, / rested while, although
was not at liberty. For the last three
years have attached myself to this
branch Of the business. It seems to mo
so fair, and involves no hardship for any
one. 1 only visit unoccupied houses: and
when people go away to the Continent or
seaside they take all they want. What
they leave they don't want. That's when
l CALL
you will excuse my Interruption" I
said. You have stolen or thieved or sub
tracted'-I was very emphatic-"all you
want. Now. please CO."
Pardon me-" he said. but you mistake
our positions. am your host. you are my
guest" he motIoned me back to my seat:
land besides"-he stopped and his ingen-
uous eyes gave an admiring glance at my
diamond ring. I'VE have more subtraction
and addition"
Take it," exclaimed. you are a
paltry. low. pilfering thief" and I flung
my lovely diamond ring on the carpet.
NO. rather call me-" said he gravely,
"a picker up Of uncomfortable trifes."
and my Jewel went into his pocket.
l had worked myself up into furious
passion. and sat trembling with rage and
beating the DEVILS tattoo with my foot.
He put his arm on the empty mantsi-
piece and looked down On me. All.
there Is no real philosophy in women
he said sadly.
He looked at my watch again
well. 1 must go. Oh. by the way.
were you going back to Bournemouth
tomorrow"
Yes: what has that to do with your
''oh. nothing. nothing; only 1t IS most
ridiculous Of me- I am really most care
less. You see, II you are going back to
Bournemouth. naturally you would go
hack by rail- looked up ct him. Nat
urally you would pay your fare he re-
marked. as If he were following out
some abstruse train OF reasoning. and
possibly you have money. and .ars-
say-uow tell me if 1 am wrong-:t L.
IN n purse
1 could not speak I was dumb with
rage.
II must be frank with you I am a
little short now. In fact. although I
have few things in that sack. they are
not Immediately negotiable AMI you
must see the aSsurdity OF RE oferirg
a cabman a silver caIdlestick fer fare
1t would be unidentified. would it not?
1 hate to trouble you." and he held out
his hand.
l gave it to him.
You make my work so difficult" he
said, with reproachful glance.
gave him my broocn.
Shall we never understand each 9TH
CT? Allow ne to unclasD f."
The bracelet was gone.
And now. good-by." he said. holding my
hand reverently. L have often thought of
abandoning this particular line of the pro-
fession and ernbarking in more recognize
ed branch. Colleagues of mine tell mo
there are many openings in the city of
London. as a director Or as an outside stock
broker or company promoter. In that
ease Miss Smythe. il may orly be 'Au
revoir.' I trust I have treated you as a
gentleman"
You are a contemplate common thief
and los class burglar
"oh. Miss smythe. low class burglar
might have kissed you." he said. reflsc-
lively.
was speechless with horror.
But not gentleman" he continued.
ard shouldered his sack
Now Miss Smythe. I must either tie
You in that chair and gag you. or else
you mus. give me your word that you will
not move or speak for an hour"
| gave Z.
The outer door slammed. and I rushed
f.antically to the window.
Miss Smythe,'
He hadn't gone at al.
Il am SO disappointed In you. am
afraid there is no honesty in women-no
truth he remarked regretfuliy.
sit down. and now no nonsense" and
he gave me one ominous look that madf
me quail and cover before him.
He tied my hands with piece OF rope.
and then quickly and dertIy secured me to
the armchair.
~ am going to gag you with this" He
took thick antimacassar. at won't hurt
you. l will see you are released in an
hour"
He finished his work. and stood gazing
at ME with sorrow. "Ah. woman. incon-
sistert woman. philosophy and logic are
impossible to you. and you called me a
common burglar" He sighed sadly.
We'll. perhaps I am and he kissed ms
on the forehead-Black and White
Ayersc to Hard Work.
(From the Modern Mexico)
The aversion Of all Mexicans except the