The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-08-27
gelett gturp.
SHORTY MoGOVERN, BURGLAR.
BY FREDERICK WHITE

presumed that he was bad burglar; but,
being human, it may also be presumed that
there was still some little good in his
makeup.
And good there was, as the few who
knew him well were willing to swear.
\ master craftsman, stanch friend
and outside Of his profession, Il man Of
quiet, simple tastes
\ reader of books between jobs, and
not too diligent at his work, which in his
ease was more to be commended than de-
plored
shorty often strolled about uptown
sometimes with an eye to future business,
more often because he liked to feel that
he was part Of the everyday, respectable
life Of the city
Sometimes he regretted that poverty
prevented him from being respectable all
the time; but man must live, and he was
too good burglar to be anything else.
Today Shorty was only half way up
town; likewise he was only half way re-
spectacle, for, seated on bench in the
square, he could not help noticing that the
brownstone house opposite looked prosper
Gus aud easy
That balcony, screened by vines from
observation below. was accessible, and the
window behind old fashioned and not diff
cult 10 force.
Shorty possessed nicely trained eye
and often saw things that would have es-
capped an ordinary observer.
~ he sat there going over prospects
and possibilities the door Of the house
opened and ehild ran down the steps
and, crossing the street, stepped quickly
behind a tree trunk in the park Shorty
glanced up at the house, expecting some
one to follow. but the door did not open
again
The boy, for it was a boy, slipped over
TO another tree, bringing him near the
bench upon which Shorty sat
Shorty grew interested. The boy was
evidently hiding from some one
shorty was fond Of children. lie liked
to talk with them, and in this case perhaps
the boy might say something worth hear
ing.
Hello. KID" he said, Playin' In-
diam
The child looked up shyly.
lie saw pleasant faced young man
smiling at him reassuriugly.
Evidently he was a man worth eultivat-
iug, for he understood the art Of playing
Indian Strange men usually embar
rassed him, but there was something very
companioanable abont this one
He did not look Just ike the men who
came to biz own home, and this fact in-
lercs,ed him also
He leaned against the tree aud pushed
back the disordered hair from his face, re
gaFding Shorty gravely.
The observation was apparently satistae-
tory. for after 4 moment hesitation he
answered cheerfully;
No, am burglar
The smIe left Shorty face at this start
ling piece Of information, but he recovered
hiu,>elf at once.
One Of ;he boy hands was thrust in
the front Of his saiIor blouse, and Shorty
noticed this
.Ge, anything? he asked
The boy looked little doubtful.
Yep. be answered, but his hand re-
manned where It was
That good said Shorty. Il used
to play burglar myself, when | was about
your size. Good fun, but We never had
much worth takin where lived
We got lots of things at our house,
said the boy, an they re worth lot
too. guess some oc em worth as much
A. a dollar
Maybe, said Shorty doubtfully but
you can always tell.
We'll | guess what got now ; worth
it, said the boy, his pride aroused.
Lets see. said Shorty carelessly,
Sometimes things look mighty pretty that
ain worth much after all.
The boy hesitated Something warned
him TO be careful, but the desire to prove
his assertion was too strong He drew
small morocco case from his blouse and
opened it,
.There" he exclaimed triumphantly.
The sunlight fell upon something that
slittered brightly, aud Shorty realized that
he was looking at cluster of jewels Of
great value.
His first impulse was to seize them and
run, but he checked himself The risk
was too great The boy would cry out,
aud pursuit was certain. He must use
strategy
Pretty, amt it," he said calmly.
..Shouldn wonder if they were the real
thing An idea flashed into his ready
brain
BY the way, he resumed, did YOU
ever hear that goldfish was crazy about
diamonds ?'
No, said the boy wonderingly.
well. they are. I've tried it myself.
You Just hold thing like that over the
water, an they come right up an make
eyes at it. Want to try p pointing to the
fountain across the park.
The boy could not resist. Such an ex-
perieuce was too novel to be lost He
nodded his head
We'll, tuck it away, said Shorty,
ian come on.
No one was in the immediate vicinity of
the fountain, and the opportunity of escape
was better there.
Shorty held out his hand, and the boy
took it confdingly. He was very young
and had never been imposed upon before.
Shorty knew that there was great risk
of being seen from the house, but should
any one apear he had decided to take the
case from the boy and make run for it.
He was all professional now. Once On
the other side of the square and he would
be safe
'We must be sure not to let the fishes
get it. said the boy, . cause my mother
thinks lot of it. -
sTll see that the fishes don t get it all
right replied Shorty.
"You see, the boy went on, my
father gave it to her just before he went
away. My mother says We won't never
see him again. 1t makes her cry to talk
about him, an she says | must be good