The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-06-08
AIUSTIFIED BURGLAR.
by Harry Hsines.

Copyright. 800. BY W. II. Hcarst)
Arnold Todd must have become ac-
customed to a.. for periodically bur-
glars relieved him OF all his pocket
money. diamonds and other personal
bric-a-brnc without ever being caught
In the act or leaving any clue to their
discovery. Nothing was ever taken be-
longing to Mrs. Todd. but. rs that
woman pathetically said. she had moth
ing they could take except her wedding
ring. which was on her finger. or her
clothes. which would not have repaid
the effort. For Mrs. Todd was YER
liable household grudge. Her husband
had houses and lands. as well as money
In several banks. but he never gave
her any OF his wealth. and she had to
beg for enough money To buy shoes
and stockings for the children. Their
clothes she made over from her own
and their fathers worn out garments.
and I'm making Mr.. Todd's trousers into
jackets for the little Todds she always
managed to work the knees that bagged
into the under side OF elbows.
The burglaries did not worry Mr..
Todd--if the truth were tobias much
az they did Mira. Todd. He usually
waited until the stolen goods could not
be recovered then he purchased n new
outfit and. after hiding them carefully
every night for n few months he would
grow careless and the burglars would
give him another call. Mrs. Todd
consistently promised TO lie awake and
watch. but she declared she must have
been chloroformed. otherwise she would
never have closed an eye.
II should think. Mary" her husband
complained. "that your anxiety about
the children would keep you awake.
Think what an effect IL would have on
H. 81
But the burglars never 10 there.
said Mrs. Todd family. Children new
er have any valuables-at least ours
don't" she added with unconscious sar-
casm.
One night the unexpected happened.
IL was the turning point In Mr.. Todd's
destiny. AT that hour when he should
have been sleeping the soundest he
suddenly awakened and saw by the dim
night light n strange figure In his room
that OF man mufiied In black cloak
with n SLOUGH hat drawn over his face
and n silk muffier round his neck and
chin. He was rifiing Mr.. Todd's pock-
etc. Mr.. Todd did not own n revolver.
He would not have killed a man TO save
all his wealth. much as he loved Il.
He lny still for n moment. thinking
how To surprise the burglar. then. hav-
ing made up his mind TO a plan, he
put Il into immediate execution. He
leapt from the bed with a bound that
took him into the middle OF the room
and pinioned the burglar from behind.
A terrific scream rent the air Todd
held I'm a mighty grasp n limp. trem-
bling form from which he tore the dis
guising cloak. revealing the partner OF
his joys and SORROWS. Mrs. Todd.
Mary" he gasped. Mary, YOU"
Yes. Mr.. Todd. me-" She turned and
faced him. "Oh. you needn't be sur
prised. Where did you suppose / got
any money II didn't either steal IL or
beg IL. seeing that you never gave me
any. IL wanted n penny to put In the
contribution box on Sunday / had To
ask you for II, and explain what was
going TO do with Il. You never gave me
n sovereign In your life without expect
Ing nineteen shillings back In change"
Mary"
It's the truth. and you know a.. Arm
old. Instead OF making me n regular
allowance. as any husband ought To.
you make me save and scrimp and 30
without everything but food. Many n
time I've left my empty purse lying
about hoping you would take the hint
and fill IL. And you never did. And
all the time you carried gold. silver
and notes In your pocket-and bought
what you wanted"
You might have taken them without
ulbsuieiuk youfscit ab n DufHiar, mary.
You would have suspected inc. and
how long could have kept the money?
No. the burglar was more welcome To
II than I would have been. But
never dreamed that you would wake.
Now. I do not care for myself am
only sorry for you. The man who can
drive n woman To such straits IT. TO be
pitied. i have as good a night To the
money az you havc-I helped To make
~. and there Is no law TO vonvict a
wife for stealing from her own hus-
band"
Mr.. Todd was seeing things past and
present. and In those few moments OF
time. ns the dying do-clearly and
without prejudice. He took his wife
In his arms.
You are nervous and tired. dca-." he
said. Lie down and compose yourself
TO rest. gee. Mary. that / am the
real burglar have robbed you OF
your earnings and your lawful dues.
Before l sleep you shall have a bank
account I'm your name. and I will never
ask you what you do with the money.
And you can give up being "a burglar
Tor good and all"