Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-07-04
Enough for One Night.
he Thought Il Too Bed to Disturb Tie
) Police Just foe Two Burglars.

with big shoes and q soft wool hat.
"Lookin' for place" said the boy.
The merchant shook his head.
'Willin' to do anythin' that's hon.
orable-except sand the sugar." said
the boy.
The merchant slightly smiled.
''Sand is quite too expensive an in
gredient," he said with a little
chuckle. "You'd be safe from any
such temptation here. At the same
time, we have no place for you. Good
night
And he turned back to his writing.
"No objection to my sittin' here an
RESTING" inquired the boy.
"No," replied the merchant.
The boy dropped into chair and
pulled paper from his pocket. Pres
emily he gave low whistle.
''Well, swami" he said.
''Eh?" said the merchant, looking
81 didn't mean to disturb you" said
the boy, ''but was just readin' here
how the police had couple O. bur-
glars penned up in vacant house an
then let 'em get away. Poor lot O.
shoats, guess"
ga vacant house?" the merchant re-
peated.
eyes," said the boy. "Family gone
off to the seaside. Burglars had it all
to themselves. Lot o. empty houses
entered lately. Here's one place
where they even carried off the water
pipes an the chandeliers"
'Don't go away until I finish this
letter." said the merchant. give got
something to say to YOU"
Cali right" said the boy. "My times
yours"
In few moments the letter was
finished and ready for posting, The
merchant looked at the big office
clock. 1t was $3.50. All the employees
had gone save the porter, who was
waiting at the Office door to lock up.
The merchant closed his desk and
turned to the boy.
SWELL" he said, abruptly, "who are
you and where are you from?''
"Name's Joshua Griscom," replied
the boy. u. Griscom, Perrysburg.
Josh for Short
"And what brings you here?"
"Came up as freight" replied the
boy. .Got tired of the farm. an
wanted to make my fortune. Hung
on to freight train and come to
town. Been at it for week. If some
thin don't turn up tonight I'm goin'
back to. the farm tomorrow"
"Have you any references?" in
quired the merchant.
"Nop," replied the boy.
"Know anybody in town."
"Not soul"
The merchant looked the boy over.-
II think you are an honest lad" he
said.
81 have the advantage of you there"
laughed the boy. II know it,
The merchant chuckled softly.
''You evidently don't lack for strong
recommendations from a strictly per-
sonal source" he said. "But come
with me. Patrick, you may lock up.''
AS they passed through the outer
door the merchant suddenly stopped.
"Had any supper?" he asked.
EYES," replied the boy. est was
my farewell meal. 1t took my last
cent"
"All right" said the merchant,
"come along. Now, listen. I want
care-taker for my house. My wife and
daughters have gone to the seaside
and taken all the servants with them.
AS you have just been reading, a good
many unoccupied houses have been
robbed lately. I occasionally sleep at
home myself, but there are nights
when want to stay downtown and
meet some of my business associates
at the hotels. / feel that need
care-taker at the home-a man to
watch the premises day as well as
night, and make himself generally
useful. You seem to have strong
arm and stout heart. my lad. What
do you say to taking the job?''
"Guess I wouldn't fancy it for a
steady job replied the lad. 'But I'll
do the best can, just the same"
The big house looked gloomy as the
merchant and the boy entered it. 81
want You to sleep, downstairs" the
former said. "You can make up a
bed on this broad couch in the library.
Now come with me and 1 will show
you about the house."
The boy followed the merchant as
the latter lighted the gas from room
to room.
Everything seems to be in ORDER"
remarked the owner. eff they find
out somebody is III the house they will
leave it alone. You are not afraid to
sleep here, are your
no." said the 10y. 81 amt. wa
afraid little White ago that I
wouldn't have any place to sleep. This
don't scare me mite"
Good said the merchant. "You
will find all the bed clothing YOU re-
quire in the front chamber. And.
here-look at this room off the din
ing-room. This is where my wife has
stored her choicest bric-a-brac and
her fine china and linen. This is the
room that burglars would seek out
first of all. I've lett it unlocked be-
cause if it were locked the thieves