Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-08-04
Two Burglars
and a Baby
GEORGE B. KINNEY has left
W the city for six weeks visit in

a
In cheap eating house of a large city
one mornine They were printed on q
torn bit OF newspaper with date left OF
the top line.
He folded the paper carefully, placed
II in his coat pocket. and in a drizzline
rain took his way leisurely through the
streets TO Elmwood avenue, until he
reached the house.
With a ready excuse for the call pre-
pared, II occasion demanded, he knocked
at the door, tried the bell, and finally,
unable to gain admission, went away
But at half-past ten that night he and
his mate went over a back fence, climbed
the trellis to the second story and looked
in.
II was still raining and the place was
intensely dark, save for a dimly burn
ing gas jet. AS the foremost man raised
himself over the window sill and glanced
into the room he uttered a cry Of aston
ishment which made the man below
pull viciously at his coat and caution him
TO keep still.
ITS asleep, Jack; only child asleep
in a cradle, he said.
That thing don't count" returned
the other savagely, as he felt his mate
backing down upon him.
But there's sure to be some one else
IN the house, you IDIOT" returned the
first man with an oath, as he chung to the
vines. Get OF the trellis under me,
Pete, or I'll kick you down." he added,
angrily.
you are a fool, Jack. TO give II up in
this way!" growled the disappointed
nighthawk, as they reached the ground
we could have taken care Of the child
easily enough There's no dog on the
place and III be hanged If ia allow a
maid and a baby TO scare me out Of a
good nights work
BY way Of answer the other grasped
/ his wrist
Look up there. Pete, on the edge Of
the roof" he said
A luminous streak ran across the
caves like a faint flash OF lightning A
storm was coming on surely enough, but
IL was not lightning which brought out
the ridge in a red silhouette against the
darkness OF the sky.
Suddenly a tiny spiral Of fame twisted
around the base Of the chimney throw
ing on little sparks as IT mounted higher
and higher.
Great God. Jack, the house is on fire."
cried Pete. There's a light in the gar
ret The-the-maid has gone to sleep
reading a novel and left the child alone
curse herl"
And with one consent they again
turned their faces to the window and in
less than half minute were in the room.
Everything was quiet, and the solitary
occupant Of the chamber, suddenly wax
ing from sleep, stretched out its tiny
hands with a gesture Of welcome 70 the
man bending over IL!
Take II away. Jack, cried Pete, for
the love Of Heaven take II away. Get
out Of the window and see II Is not hurti
And. mind you, don't handle II roughly
on the wayl II you do III settle with
you when | come back
There was already smoke in the hail
as the one left IN the house opened door
and looked up the stairway. With
hound be was al the head Of the flight
yelling "Fire!" Come out come Quit =
he cried 10 the horror-struck domestic
peering at him from a half-open door.
she only went back into the room
screaming. He was quite used to hav-
ing women afraid Of him, and this was
not the first who had turned and run
at his appearing; but now he swore
softly under his breath as he went
TO the door.
Don't be afraid Of me. lady" he be-
gan. through the keyhole.
Jack had once been half-breed gen.
,leman. and well up in his variety Of
social life. and now his training rose
10 the needs Of the hour, as he went
on Il am only a hard-working man,
lady. and passing the house ] saw the
aames from the street, and tried to
raise the family. For Gods sake hurry
M and let me take you down to the
street,"
"oh. if you are an honest man" be-
gan the voice inside, in a strange mix
,nre az suspicion and terror, IF you
are really a good man. III trust YOU
with that spinster voice and affee-
,ation she had certainly nothing TO
fear for Jack had carried far hand
somer but much younger women in
his arms before. She rushed into the
bau while this thought was passing
through his mind. only half-dressed'
and sim looking him over doubuully.
III is not me you should fear. my
LADY, went on the gallant burglar
-Nfy clothes are rough. but | have 10
work Al night for a living"
thank heaven she did not know how
nrecisely true this was, else she might
have gone back into the room ana
waited cheerfully for the flames
Noting that he actually seemed more
than half afraid Of her, her spirits rose
TO the occasion
aYou can come with me. then ana
hsin me save the valuaoles IN the
o,s man " she said. BE