The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-25

Copyright, 1901, by Frederick White.
Shorty McGovern was what is known in
certain circles as "a second story man." His
friends respected him for his undeniable abil-
ity for getting and, what was really quite as
important, for getting away.
The police respected him, but principally
for the latter gift
Shorty respected himself sometimes, but not
often. After a particularly good piece of
work, when his finances would permit, Shorty
gave himself up to period of dull respect
ability, a proceeding rather foreign to the
disposition Of second story man" For days
he would keep to his room, reading voracious-
ly every book upon which he could lay his
hands. Dickens was his favorite author, and
he loved stories of children.
Shorty was fond of children and never dis
turbed them more than was necessary when
engaged in his business
1t when his finances thus permitted
him to rest and dip into literature that
Shorty came nearest to respecting himself,
but unfortunately there always came a day
when he was forced to sally forth >and again
become the hunter and the hunted, usually
the central figure. though unknown, in items
OF various length In the newspapers. g.
The residence section of the city was in
variably the field of his efforts. A days stroll
would disclose the opportunity, and then
night and a few necessary implements of trade
enabled him to do the rest. .
AS he walked briskly up the avenue this
winter afternoon nothing in Shortys appear
ance would attract particular attention
Plenty of young men were doing the same
| thing However, discerning eye might have
noted that when he passed policeman Shorty
seemed suddenly afflicted with a~severe cold
| in his head, which necessitated the use of a
large handkerchief Between policemen
Shorty's head seemed to be In perfectly
| normal condition. .s.'.-.-
Turning up a side street, he slackened his
/ pace somewhat and his trained eye searched
! every detail of the houses on either side Of
the way. Ordinary people might have thought
them painfully alike, but Shorty knew other
wise. Here was basement window un-
| guarded by the usual iron frame; there a
| balcony gave premise of shelter from passing
| eyes while the window being forced.
At the corner Shorty passed church. He
had no designs on the church, but the swell
| of the organ and the sound of children 8
voices came to him through a half open win
dow They were devoting all their energies
| to the last verse of the carroll
| Ring the joy bells over all the earth.
Stealing, pealng, let them tell his BIRTH
Angel music, let it sWeetly fall,
Singing, bringing peace and Joy to ALL
| The extra power thrown into the words
| "joy to all recalled to Shorty the fact that
+ for their faithful scholars. Exactly These
children were having a Christmas tree at the
church after exhausting the holiday season
| at home.
| Suddenly he had desire to see the real
thing if they would let him in. The main
| door opened around the avenue, but the YES
! try door way at his hand. He'd take a look
at it anyway. Shorty started forward, then
| stopped Through a swinging baize door came
the murmur Of voices, then strange crack
ling sound and the cry j"Fire!"
Shorty was trained to act quickly whatever
the emergency. On the corner was red
! frebox and it was the work Of only second
to smash the glass and turn in the alarm.
| AS be ran from the box the children, pale
! faced and frightened, were pouring through
| the doors, ard above their heads far back in
i the church he could see the gaily decorated
tree blazing in a cloud of smoke. He saw
! that the youngsters were being we'll handled
| by two young men who stood on either side of
the doorway. Then his other nature asserted
| itself. Y.
To Shorty and his ik a fire always means
! loot. The habit of years was strong upon
him. Back to the vestry he ran and crept
! through the narrow corridor and the baiZe
do6r. Through an archway he looked into the
! smoke filled church. There was no one in
sight The burning tree and the smoke
screened him from view. He glanced about