The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-07-08
BURGLARAND ARTIST
by BARRY PAIN.

Bile home, with such books and appliancesas
his means would permit, he made study
of mechanics, electricity, 5mineralogy, 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 gaining
fame or distinction; he did not attempt to
take degree at either of the universities;
he never courted examinations or cross-ex-
aminations. That love of fame-cui 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 his library
If he had one-would not have possessed
coy corner. Nor must we hurriedly con-
clude that it was solely due to the fact that
no interviewer had ever approached him.
1t was his shy and unobtrusive nature that
made him shun publicity. He met all pho
tographers-in their own terminology-with
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. He had 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 with
which he was partially acquainted Then
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 for
him; he knew far more about the forcing of
any locked safe than the man who had made
it; he nsver made the mistake of taking
from the houses that he entered any SOU
yenir 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,
man who made twenty thousand year
without overworling himself. The burglar
had made all his preparations with his ac-
customed skill. He had allowed for every
thing-eNcept 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
peared to require it, made his entry, and Sc
lected and packed his souvenirs of the occa-
sion without 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 he 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 "o1
i shall have to hurt you"
Il don't wish to move" said the burglar;
s'but think you have made mistake in
ringing up a messenger boy it, as I surmise
you intend him to fetch the police"
GU surmise correctly"
'It will be worse than an illustrated in
terview. The publicity will be enormous;
your work will be interrupted; your house
will be besieged by reporters. You will have
to attend law court and go into witness
box, where, in all probability, you will make
fool of yourself and appear to be a liar and
a drunkard. Had you thought of this:"
81 had not"
4But had. l know that you are per
feet artist, concentrated in your work
stunning all vulgar curiosity"
at is true" said the artist. Glow die
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. l SHOULD
hate-almost as much as you would-tht
newspaper paragraphs with reference t.
your burglary and the impertinent question
of the gentlemen of the law"
There is something in what you say,
said the artist. 81 should dislike it ex
tremely. On second thoughts will let yo,
go. 1t is probably compromising a felony
but that cannot be helped. My senstiv,
nerves would never stand the horrors tina
you described. Pray go at once"
Certainly" said the burglar, as he picked
up his bag.
"But, of course, you must leave thos,
things behind"
81 don't see that" said the burglar 9"
have come a long way taken lot o
trouble, and worked very hard | deserv,
something for my pains. If you refuse,
shall sit down again, and you will have tn,
disgusting work of handing me over to pc
liceman. | shall retort by charging you
with truth-with endeavoring to get me Il
conspire with you to commit felony"
Every WE'LL said the artist, who Away
got rapidly tired of dealing with any prac
tical 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 tn
artist. "What am to say to him."
WELL this bag is still rather heavy,
said the burglar. ''Just ask him to fetch
hanson"
81 wouldn't" said the artist, "if coul,
think of anything else, but | can't"
A few minutes later the burglar, with hi
bag in his hand, climbed into the hanson,
He had borrowed the fare from the artist
Black and White.
English Bulls.
An Irish journal, by way of revenge n
doubt, publishes some excellent Engli>l
bulls. 1t begins with the Hyde Park orator
who, in the middle of TRADE upon land
lords and capitalists, suddenly electrified
his audience nv evc1aiminp. "If theSe mo,