The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-22

Get out of the front door at once or
I'll fire."
Somehow this didn't sound as fierce
as his first effort was, and Tom felt like
taking to his heels But no, here was
VIII just behind him, and that would
never do. Instead of running. he boldly
nnng the door wide open. He gIared
rapidly about the room and VIII peered
around the jamb and raised his UNI
prella with threatening attitude. At
nrst nothing was visible, but at a secs
ond glance the boys saw a man in 4
long overeoat standing before the front
door with his back toward them. Then
1t came over Tom in flash that 1t was
a poor drunken fellow who had mis-
taken the house for his own, and find
ing the door unlocked had entered. All
fear left him in a moment. He said
pleasantly enough:
You have got in the wrong place. nv
friend; you would better go on, and go
home"
oh, ex-cu-u-use me-" responded the
man In an indistinct manner as he stag
gered bit.
Tom sprang forward to open the door
for him, but just before he reached
him the man opened 1t and stepped out
upon the porch. There he stood.
-, You would better go on cried Tom.
You ought to be at home in bed"
The man mumbled something and
went to the walk in front of the house.
and Tom still urged him on, until.
nnally, after much muttering, he stag
gered as far as the corner Then Tom
locked the door and went back to he'd
VIII following.
TON, you are a hero" said he. after
his teeth had quit chattering from the
Was you scared, WHIP"
You bet l was. Why If It had been a
burglar he might have xilled u.s.
But the poor fellow didn't know any
better. He wouldn't harm anybody
You didn't know it when you went in.
Say, Tom, ain't it funny we didn't
..Hushl you might waken him now"
They lay long time thinking It over.
But they really felt that they had done
a heroic thing, and the consciousness
of doing well quieted them. SO that be-
fore long they slept. and soundly,. too.
About half an hour later Mrs. Severn,
band taking off his overcoat
been?"
well, I went down stairs to lock I'M
and have been taking a little walk
around the block"
You don't often do that when it is
so cold. Why did you do 1t this even
well, somebody made me-
Then he had to tell the whole story,
while Mrs. Severn shook with suppressed
but you don't want to let on" said
Mr.. Severn. 1T was heroic thing for
the boys to do. because they thought at
first that l was really burglar ana
afterward that I was drunk and in tbs
wrong house. If we let them believe
they have been heroic 1t will help them
to be SO, while il we reveal the situation
people will laugh at them and that will
spoil it all. That is why l didn't let
them see my face tonight, and the over
coat deceived them. 1t was fortunate
l hadn't locked the kitchen door yet or
I might. have had to walk the streets
all night"
This set Mrs. Severn to laughing
again, but she was persuaded to act to
the boys as though they had really rid
tre house of an intruder.
The next morning as they were sit
ting at breakfast Mr.. Severn, who had
been out on the street. and who had
heard the news, remarked:
.Sinmonses were robbed last night"
'RobbedY exclaimed Mrs. Severn.
Yes. Someone came in at the front
door, which they had forgotten to lock-
and took s4.00 in money from the dresser
drawer, quantity Of silverware and
"Cyrus Severn!" cried his wife, some
OF these nights someone will break into
our house
Anu Sltdl you OT the DOyS-yOu lilIee
being all the treasures I have"
Someone was in our house last
night" interrupted VIII.
Il was in the house myself. said the
father.
II mean a burglar papa" And he
forthwith related the adventure of the
evening, filled with pantomimic illustra-
lions which must have been very anus
ing, for both Mr.. and Mrs. Severn
laughed heartily.
And Tom was perfect hero" added
VIII.
time" cried that worthy. blushing very
'sYes, 1 was trying to hide behind
you," said WILL
Il think you both were quite heroic.
and | confess to feeling bit proud OF
you both,'' said Mr.. Severn; Not
many boys of your ages would have
had the hardihood or presence of mind
to do what you did. am glad my boys
fear nothing but evil
ie Mrs. severn was still smiling, despite
the solemnity of the speech.
fellow" added Mr.. Severn. 1t was a
cold night IL he had to sleep out, or
even to walk around all night"
.sBut you couldn't expect us to Invite
him to stay with us. could you. papa?"
asked Tom.
sCertainly not. my boy. If he ever
comes again either put him out or call
for me. Perhaps. on second thought, 1t
would be as well to call for me-"