The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22


your mouth shut an know nothing Dye ear?"
eyes to KEEP mouth shut an know
nothin, echoed the little lad. So Taint ard Til
forget it,
Come along. then old breath and be
are said the other 81 the lay o.
place. you've got o is to foller me-"
In single file they climbed and crep and stole in tor
tuous twisting ways to where white house
silent and impressive, holding sleeping guarded
treasures, lives young and old happy beloved
In careless Of this nights safety
nights and free of fear they
slept that first deep dreamless sleep, signal
of safety to housebreakers.
The boy made easy entrance barred window
forced for him by the tools of the experienced
teman who had just done" seven years and was in
state of Christian charity in that only de-
sired to relieve personal necessities by aid Of the
f1uous possession of his more fortunate fellows.
The little lad had been supplied lantern.
By its aid he where he pantry evidently,
judge by the well Shelves stores of food
the piles of good things tempting hunger.
touched nothing.
He opened the door and found himself a pass
age. Following this, he came to a flight of stairs.
He stole up and into hall, richly carpeted and dec
Grated He threw his light around. flashed carved
oak the gold picture frames statues ar1nory
all sorts of costly and artistic treasures It showed
him. too, smiling frankly and genally back his
startled face very seen evening by
the bridge Gay handsome, debonair the eyes SO
kindly, the expression happy in its untroubled
less youth benefactor seemed to give him greeting
again
The lad gave gasp and the lantern slid from his
down upon him. trembling quivering amidst
unfamiliar surroundings not knowing where to turn
what to do Moments passed still passive,
lost in wonder and in thought.
Then he conscious of flicker of light, soft
scendng holding a candle light
the face that had made history his life that
The face that had smiled him from the wall
looking down him, paler, wonderrnent
than he had yet recognized it's possession ",
'sWho you? What you doing here?" demanded
the voice Of his benefactor
The lad looked helpessly at him. began
violently What could he say? How explain appear
that due to parental authority and yet
licensed intrusion?
Cant you hear? Why don't you speak?"
The young at the foot of the staircase now,
and approaching the lad with occasional glance
and before if to if other
fered explanation of this visible
ooh, sir, it's good to mel I knowed
facethere faltered the 81 dunno what you'll
think. told to it. Keep your mouth shut, and
know nothn,' what they said but I didn't know
twas you I'd 'Ow could I?"
"They" echoed the young "Oh you're not
alone? thought not. Where your-friends?"
cts father faltered the boy "and someone as
seed afore Tant fault O. mine sir. They just
put me in by a window, and was to door
somethn' fer EN- But ow could tell twas ouse
and your door,"
seWell suppose that could hardly be expected"
swered the young fellow, "a twinkle in his
preston that spoke of nrth than
$50 it's your father who is educating in this line,
is it?"
Hell kill me I told me- but amt
a-goin' t-now," said the boy.
'Why?' his friend.
Cos you're the only gent I've met
spoke kind to me. Cos you gave me that ere money
to-day. 'ad meal and rest, and I've you to thank
wouldn't do hands turn to urt not for
twenty such silver shilngs, that wouldn't"
.'Ths grows interesting young man. "A
juvenile burglar capable Of gratitude It's worth seeing
further. Look here lad pick up that lantern and I'll
you where there's easy door to for your
should like to have little talk with them
enterpisng burglar he is in his natural burg
larous condition is study of humanity that has
not yet And I'm student of humanity
in small way get my living by it. Come along. Oh,
your lanterns out! I'll relight it!'
The boys face and bewildered.
really meanin it,, he said Let EN- in to
rob you-perhaps injury. Oh sir, don't go fer
do such thing, and don't tell me to do it,
"But I do tell you. Look here!'
He opened door, and led the way into vast and,
boys splendid Silver stood side
board Beautiful things of bronze and gold and ebony
marble employed in decorative sense to re-
somber background of walls and furniture The
young fellow put down his candle and going to the
opened it and decaners of wine and
spirits silver box of biscuits another silver dish
tanning china of fruit These plcaed
polished oak table, Then he seated himself in
chair the astonished boy the
window.
shattered and heavy curtains hung before it.
!