The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18
your mouth shut an know nothing. Dye

Come along. then old your breath and
be as mum as we are" said the other man.
II know the lay o. the place. All you've
got TO do is to foller me-"
In single file they climbed and crept and
stole in tortuous. twisting ways to where
a white stone house lay. silent and inn
passive, holding sleeping inmates. guarded
treasures. lives young and old. and happy
and beloved. In careless assurance of this
nights safety as of other nights, untroubled
and careless and free of fear they slept
that first deep. dreamless sleep. which is the
signal OF safety to housebreakers.
The boy made an easy entrance. A barred
window was forced for him by the tools of
the experienced gentleman who had just
done seven years. and was in a state of
Christian charity in consequence that only
desired to relieve personal necessities by aid
of the superhuous possessions of his more
fortunate fellows.
The little lad had been supplied with
dark lantern. BY it's aid he saw where he
was. In a pantry evidently. to judge by the
well-stocked shelves, the stores of food, the
piles of good things tempting hunger. Yet
the child touched nothing.
He opened the door. and found himself in
a stone passage. Following this he came TO
a flight of stairs
He stole up and into a hall, richly car
peted and decorated. He threw his light
around. 1t flashed on carved oak, on the
gold of picture frames, on statues and ar
mory, on all sorts of costly and artistic
treasures. 1t Showed him, too, smiling
frankly and genially back at his own
startled face, the very face he had seen that
evening by the bridge. Gay, handsome
debonair, the blue eyes so kindly, the ex-
preston so happy in it's untroubled care
less youth. his benefactor seemed to give
him greeting once again.
The lad gave a gasp, and the lantern slid
from his hand and fell to the floor. Dark
ness seemed to swoop down upon him. He
stood trembling and quivering amidst I'M
familiar surroundings, not knowing where
to turn what to do Moments passed, and
he still stood passive, lost in wonder and in
thought
The1 he was conscious of a flicker of
light. a soft footstep. and glancing up the
stairs, saw a figure descending holding
candle above its head The light fell on the
face that had made history for his life that
day. The face that had smiled on him from
him, in paler, sterner wonderment than he
had yet recognized as it's possession.
"Who are you? What are you doing
here?" demanded the voice of his bene-
factor
The lad looked helplessly at him. He be-
gan to tremble violently. What could he
say? How explain an appearance that was
due to parental authority, and yet an UNI
licensed intrusion?
Cant you hear? Why don't you speak,
The young man was at the foot of the
staircase now, and approaching the lad
with an occasional glance around and be-
fore as if to see if any other presence
offered explanation of this visible one.
''Oh sir, it's you that was so good to me.
l knowed your face-there." faltered the
boy, 81 dunno what you'll think 1 was
told to do it, Keep your mouth shut and
know nothin, was what they said; but l
didn't know as twas you I'd see. 'Ow
could r.
They" echoed the young man. ooh,
you're not alone? 1 thought not. Where
are your-friends?"
Its father" faltered the boy, land some
one as never seed afore. 'Taint no fault
o mine. sir. They just put me in by win
dow and l was to open a door or somethin'
for 'em. But 'ow could L tell twas your
ouse and your door?"
well, 1 suppose that could hardly be ex-
pected," answered the young fellow.
twinkle in his eye, an expression on his
face that spoke more of mirth than anger.
$50 it's your father who is educating you
in this line, is it?'
IL . foII
but l amt a-goin' 10 do it-now," said the
boy.
''Why?" asked his new friend.
Zoos you're the only gent as I've ever
met as ever spoke kind to me. Cos you
gave me that ere money to-day. L ad a
meal and rest, and I've you to thank for
em. 1 wouldn't do hands turn to 'urt
you, not for twenty more such silver shil-
lings, that l wouldn't
This grows interesting" said the young
man. "A juvenile burglar capable of graft
tude It's worth seeing further. Look
here, lad, pick UP that lantern and I'll show
you where there's easy door to open for
your friends. L should like to have little
talk with them. The 'enterprising burglar,'
as he is in his natural or burglarious con-
dtion, is a new study of humanity that has
not come my way yet. And I'm a student
of humanity in a small way. l get my iiv-
ing by it. Come along. oh, your lanterns
OUT Ill relight it,"
The boys face grew more and more be-
wildered. You're not really meanin' it,
he said LET 'em in TO rob you-perhaps
do you an injury? oh. sir, don't go fer to.
do such thing, and don't tell me to do it."
But do tell you. Look here!"
He opened a door and led the way into
vast and, to the boys eyes, splendid room.
Silver stood on the sideboard. Beautiful
things of bronze and gold and ebony and
marble were employed in a decorative sense
TO relieve the somber background of walls
and furniture. The young fellow put down
mis- candle, and, going over to the sideboard,
opened it and took out decanters of wine
and spirits A silver box of biscuits, an
other silver dish containing cake, a large
china bowl of fruit. These he placed on
the polished oak table. Then he seated
himself in a large leather chair and babe
the astonished boy open the window.
1t was shattered, and heavy curtains
hung before it. The process was difficult.
The chair stood in a recess. and close be-
side il was a carved oak screen. The young
man drew it before him and was effectually
hidden. In a few moments cautious steps