The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-08-08
BURGLARAND ARTIST
ny BARRY PAIN.

quiet and retiring disposition In his num-
be home. with such books and appliances as
his means would permit, be made study
Of mechanics, electricity, mineralogy, the
police regulations, and other subjects OF
which the vulgar are for the most part con
tent TO remain ignorant. Yet he did not use
his knowledge for the purpose OF gaming
fame or distinction; he did not attempt 10
take a degree at either of the universities;
he never eourted examinations or eross-ex-
aminations. That love of fame-eui etIam
saepe boni indulgent-had no hold upon
him. No interviewer had ever described IN
sympathetic language the coy corner IN the
burglars library. And this was not only
because he had no library, nor could It be en-
tirely ascribed TO the fact that MS library
If ne had one-would not have possessed
a coy corner. Nor must We hurrledly con-
clude that it was solely due to the fact that
no interviewer had ever approached him.
1t was his shy aud unobtruslve nature that
made him shun publicity. He met all pho
tographers-in their own terminology-wlth
a decided negative. He had his work to do
in the world. and he did it. But he did not
talk about it.
He had not even confded to his wife and
family--to whom he was devoted-the pre-
else nature of his profession. lie mad even
allowed his modesty to obscure his accuracy,
and had represented himself as the night
engineer of an electric lighting company.
On Sunday evenings he delighted to gather
his children about him and play to them
upon the harmonium, an instrument win
which he was partially acquainted. linen
they would say good night to their dear
papa, and dear papa would go to work.
His scientific knowledge greatly increased
the safety and facility OF his operations.
Electric burglar alarms had no terrors Tor
him: he knew far more about the forcing OF
any locked safe than the man who had made
it; he never made the mistake OF taking
from the houses that he entered any SOU
venir of which the real value was doubtful
But one Sunday night he became the victim
of a coincidence. He was visiting the house
of an almost excessively celebrated artist,
a man who made twenty thousand year
without overworking himself. The burglar
had made all his preparations with his ac
customed skill He had allowed for every
thing-except one little fact, which he had
not been in a position to know. The artist
had drunk that night after dinner two cup.
fuls of black coffee, or double the normal
amount, and, in consequence, he was unable
to sleep.
The burglar made no noise and no blum
ders. He severed those wires which APP
peared to require it, made his entry, and Sc
lected and packed his souvenirs of the occa-
sion without a sound. 1t was all admirably
done. The artist lying awake upstairs never
had suspicion that down below an expert
though ostentatious burglar was going
through his cabinet of precious gems and
choosing examples with care and judgment.
But it occurred to him that ne was wasting
his time in bed, and he went down to the
studio There he found the burglar just
closing the small black bag which contained
his collection With great presence OF
mind, the artist stepped to his call box and
rang for messenger boy.
Don't move" he said to the burglar, "or
/ shall have to hurt you"
81 don't wish to move" said the burglar;
"but think you have made a mistake in
ringing up messenger boy if, as / surmiss,
you intend him to fetch the police.
"You surmise correctly"
at will be worse than an illustrated in.
tervew The publicity will be enormous;'
your work will be interrupted; your house
will be besieged by reporters. You will have
10 Il
box. where, in all probability, you will make
a fool of yourself and appear to be liar and
a drunkard. Had you thought OF this?
81 had not.
'But | had | know that you are per
feet artist. concentrated in your work,
stunning all vulgar curiosity"
at is true, said the artist How did
you know"
81 also am an artist" said the burglar,
Though in different materials; and | know
how carefully avoid publicity myself The
work alone-that is enough for me. should
hate-almost as much as you would-the
newspaper paragraphs with reference to
your burglary and the Impairment questions
of the gentlemen of the law"
"There is something in what you say"
said the artist - should dlsiH ii ,d II v co.
90. 1t is probably compromising felony,
but that cannot be helped. My sensitive
nerves would never stand the horrors that
you described. Pray go at once"
Certainly" said the burglar, as he picked
up his bag
"But, of course, you must leave those
things behind"
81 don't see that" said the burglar. 81
nave come IL long way, tdhSu =" wv VI
trouble, and worked very hard. I deserve
something for my pains. If you refuse, l
shall sit down again, and you will have the
disgusting work of handing me over to po-
liceman. | shall retort by charging you
with truth--with endeavoring to get me to
conspre with you to commit felony
every wel,' said the artist, who always
got rapidly tired of dealing with any prac'
teal question well say halves"
They carefully divided the burglars selec-
ton between them. just as they finished,
the front door bell rang
"There's the messenger boy" said the
artist. "What am | to say to him."
"Well, this bag is still rather heavy"
said the burglar. "Just ask him to fetch
hansom."
81 wouldn't" said the artist, eff l could
think of anything else, but can't"
A few minutes later the burglar, with his
bag in his hand, climbed into the hanson.
He had borrowed the fare from the artist
Black and White.
He Wouldn't Tell.