The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-10-04
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Enough for One Night.
:. he Thought II Too Bad to Disturb the
I. Police Just for Two Burglars.
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Loohlh loI Il pace, Sdiu lnt oog.
The merchant shook his head.
"Willn' to do anythin' that's hon
orable-e except sand the sugar." said
the boy
The merchant slightly smiled.
"Sand is quite too expensive an in
gredient," he said with 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
restin'?" inquired the boy.
NO." replied the merchant.
The boy dropped into chair and
pulled a paper from his pocket. Pres
emily he gave low whistle.
"Wen, swami" he said.
"Eh?" said the merchant, looking
up.
81 didn't mean to disturb you," said
the boy, "but l was just readn' here
how the police had a couple o bur
glars penned up in vacant house an
then let 'em get away. Poor lot o
shoats, guess"
~ Vacant hOuse?" the merchant re-
peated
"Yes," said the boy. "Family gone
of to the seaside. Burglars had il all
to themselves. Lot O. empty houses
entered lately. Here's one place
~. .lo,- o,o. oorrsaJ ,fT tho xva Z q r
pipes an the chandyliers.'
Don't go away until l finish this
letter." said the merchant. "I've got
something to say to YOU
"All 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 6:3O. 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.
"Well," he said, abruptly, "who are
you and where are you from?"
Names Joshua Griscom," replied
the boy. -. 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 a freight train and come to
town Been at ii for a week. If some
thin don't turn up tonight I'm goin'
back to the farm tomorrow"
"Have you any references?" in
qured the merchant.
"Nop." replied the boy.
"Know anybody in town"
"Not a soul"
The merchant looked the boy over.
81 think you are an honest lad" he
said.
81 have the advantage of you there" ,"
laughed the boy. 81 know it,"
The merchant chuckled softly.
"You evidently don't lack for strong
recommendation from 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.
"Yes." replied the boy. at was
my farewell meal. 1t took my last
cent"
"All right" said the merchant,
"come along Now, listen. | want a
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. occasionally sleep at
home myself. but there are nights
when | want TO stay downtown and
meet some Of my business associates
at the hotels. I feel that ! need a
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 a strong
arm and a stout heart, my lad. What
do you say to taking the job?"
Guess 1 wouldn't fancy it for a
steady job" replied the lad. "But I'll
do the best l 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 l will show
you about the house"
Everything seems to be in order" "
remarked the owner. "If they find
out somebody is in the house they will
leave it alone. You are not afraid to
sleep here, are your"
NO" said the boy. 81 amt. was
afraid a little while ago that
wouldn't have any place to sleep. This
don't scare me a 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 left il unlocked be-
cause If it were locked the thieves
would be sure to ruin the door in an
effort to get it open. There, you see
what it is. Just big closet with a
ventilating slit in the outer wall in
stead of window. My wife had a
spring put on the door as a warning