The Minneapolis journal., 1901-12-14
The
.StO P -
Teller
"a
Mdbet'S Burglar.

Ou, mama, us from Mamie GOrQOn;
she's accepted my invitation to visit us
at last, and writes that 1 may expect her
on Wednesday. Let me see, to-day is
Monday. Why! that will only give me
tomorrow and what is left of to-day to
get ready for her.
Mabel and her mother lived alone, half
mile from town. They were very busy
preparing for the welcome visitor on the
following morning when the bell was
heard to ring. 1t proved to be a messen-
ger boy with a telegram for Mrs Howard.
She opened the telegram and hurriedly
read: Mother very i'll; come at once
Edward -
''Oh, dear sighed Mrs Howard. 'Its
from brother handing the telegram to
Mabel
Later in the day, as Mrs Howard was
getting ready to leave on the morning
train for her old home. she said to Ma
bel; But what will you do, dear? Hadn't
you better telephone to your friend not to
come, and then you can stay at your
aunt's house"
Don't you worry, mama. 1 have it all
planned out, and I'm sure you'll let me
do as I wish. Mamie and I'll just stay
here by our lonesome and have more fun
than any other way
But where would you stay at night
you foolish girl?" queried Mrs. Howard.
"Oh, we'll bolt the doors and windows
and, besides, | don't think any one would
carry US away, and if they did, they'd
drop US before they'd taken US very far
After much persuasion, Mrs. Howard
reluctantly consented to Mabel's plan. but
1t was with many misgivings as to what
would be the result of her consenting to
what she considered a very wild scheme
that Mrs. Howard boarded the same train
from which Mamie had just alighted.
With many apologies for her mothers
necessary absence, Mabel unfolded her
plan to her friend. 'tOh, how delightful .
exclaimed Mamie. "Now we can do lust
as we please, without any one else to
worry about u.s. Mabel agreed with her,
and they hurried home, which they
reached about 10 O'Clock. The hours till
dinner time seemed tof1y, as you can read
lily imagine they would, after the girls
long separation. After dinner they
walked down town to regale themselves
with ice cream and soda water After
they had reached home they each got a
book and had settled themselves to read,
when knock was heard at the door.
Come with me, Mamie, for there's lots
OF tramps about this year, and perhaps
this is one Of them" said Mabel. 1t
did prove to be tramp, who asked for
something to eat. He was very inno-
cent looking parsonage and shambled
away after the girls had given him the
desired food. Before he went away, how
ever, he remarked: "'Pears like Won
uns were here by yourselves" Mabel re-
piled that they WERE
wonder how he knew that we were
e1one?" remarked Mamie
I don't know, but I think that we
had better lock the house pretty securely
for fear he should come back and try
to rob u.s." answered Mabel.
Mamie agreed with her. and he house
was very securely fastened To make
more certain Of their safety, they put
cub Of water in front of the door 80 he'll
alarm US and get bath at the same time
he comes back" said Mamie About II
O'Clock the girls went to bed They were
both to sleep in different rooms. About
han an hour later Mamie, feeling very
enfrsty, and not caring to waken Mabel,
slipped downstairs to get drink.
Meanwhile, Mabel, who had not yet been
asleep, thought she heard some one NOV
mg about in the rooms below She hur-
Ffedly slipped downstairs, just in time to
hear clinking Of silver, and to see that
the light in the dining-room was turned
SA' mat II amp 10 mere, udSQGQ across
her excited brain. 1t was the work of a
moment to lock the door and then Mamie
was a prisoner.
After that young lady had gazed stu
pidly at the door for a few seconds. won
dering what she had better do. she re-
Membered the telephone. ''He shan't get
ahead of me. for all he's so smart"
thought She "I hope he doesn't wake
Mabel" The police station was soon rung
up, and in almost less time than it takes
% tell, an officer was on his way to the
Howard home.
But to return to Mabel. After she had
slammed the door on what she supposed
to be very vicious burglar, she stood
trresolute, pondering for a moment about
what she had better do. Their nearest
neighbor. Farmer Jones, lived half mile
from them. "Oh, that isn't very far,
when you've got Wheel" thought Mabel.
"I'll not say anything to Mamie about my
prisoner; it would only scare her. and be-
sides 1t would be nicer to catch him all
by myself"
She hurried into a wrapper and was
soon on her way to Mr.. Jones'. Her wheel
fairly spun along. 1t seemed an age be-
Aore she succeeded in arousing the drowsy
farmer, and another age before he was
ready to accompany her back
The first time Mabel had passed through
ne door she had avoided the tub of wa
ter, wondering at the same time how the
burglar had escaped the trap, but there
vas no sucE luck for the poor farmer. Ma
bel forgot to wSST7 him, and into the tub
az Topae Uo-,r