The St. Louis Republic., 1905-12-24

never see such three wcxatious idiots!
~ Oh. Bin" he called. imIatiencs bursting
through an discretion. BIZ"
COMM" announced Bill chccrily.
entering the other room. But ! couldn't raise
hair nor hide Of the milk"
"Wa-a-a-a a-a-a-ah!" lamcntcd Winfield ii.
Eyes, know. little tikc." Condoled Bin. reducing
his voice to a husky. bumblcbec pitch. But the
COW must ave jumped over the moon"
I'VE feed our baby on prepared food. )" said VIM
field l. irritahly.
Il guess he S tcethin. amt hc?" pursued Bill
Footsteps approached. They seemed to lc
turning in With a muttcrcd oath Of disgust the
man on guard abruptly dashed for the portk res and
disappeared. But the footsteps passed.
1t was only an instant's work for Winfield J.
to lun,c for drawer in the bookcase. jerk thence
the family revolver trusted and unloadet). and
psecpitatc himself into the other room.
Now. by the powers! nc exclaimed. with
weapon lcvclcd prepared to do hattie for his own
dignity and the welfare of his child. and gI,ring
amid the confines rent by the lmcnts Of Winfield H.
wat ails vou." demanded Bill in injured tone.
Don't go pointin' that thing at me! amt done
nothin'. ! amt hurting the kid"
"Wa-a-a-a-a a-a-a-s-a-ah!" lamentcd Winfield ii.
Hush. Winfield" badc VI Winicl ]. :" Papa here.
"Yes: your daddy's here" supplemented Bill
where's Tim." he asked.
That's all right where Tim is" responded VIM
field l. firmly. You march out into the front
room and sit Just where WAS sitting. Sharp. now!
I've got YOU covered. And you'll sit there until
can telephone and give you in charge"
"Aw. say! That amt no fair deal!" complained
Bill, slowly moving. Il amt done nOthin."
You were going to rob me. weren't your
accused his captor. closely following:
But didn't. did L." replied Bill. He pumped
down disCunsolatey and threw his sack to the fltT
This is hard luck. Christmas Eve"
"And YOU were going 10 take Christmas presents.
whic!, makes it wOrse.'' retuIed Winfield ].
IL guess other people like Christmas. besides you
rich oncs' mumblcd Bill
That's so: don't doubt that's SO" SAID VIM
field L. slightly lowering the revolver. Although
l know very well that YOU weren't gathering
Christmas presents to give away again. You SIMPLY
picked on this q good night in which to burEt
Il could have cleaned out the stuff an been
away long ago. If hadn't stopped to ten to the
Kid rrum,icd Bill AN this is wat get for it:
Christmas in the prison CELL wen my own kids
n be wantin' mc!'
Winfield l. lowered his revolver stin farther.
"How many children have you. Bils" be inquired
thoughtfully.
Only seven-but tho year amt ended yet
informed Bill. with a grin.
"Ven. Bin. it's Christmas Eve. Here" and
Winfield l. suddenly checked himself. But
YOU or YOUR pardncr haven't-ah-cOm any
dctresiations elsewhere in the house, have you:
:.S' help mel" vowed Bill earnestly Prove it
by me sack"
Then here here's ten dollars: dollar apiece for
the children and one go on. and dollar for you
and for Your wife. Merry Christmas. You can
go now. l won't keep you.
Now. lookec!" blurted Bill. accepting the two
yrccntsacks and scrutinizn2 them. That's " at
I call handsome! In give them kids an my or
woman a tans-up Christmas. ] tell you! This
burylarin amt my reg1er business" he aposogized
s,u,fns the money into packet. :" But man
has To do some ethin'.
lie rose and picked up his sack and moved toward
the hall His late Cap'or escorted behind Farther
behind la,ncntcd Winfield II.
Bill opened the front door hut on the Threshold Re
paused and faced in. Say. he demonstrated with