New-York tribune., 1905-12-24

table was doing Winfield Saunders
Jones |. R
From the centcr-table lamp cast a red ID
glow \ green cor1 depending from the
ceiling fed the lamp. Upon the table
were books and magazines and a small boWl-hke sew"
inp-basket Upon the floor sprawl1ng a news
paper disheveled and abandoned and shameless IN
the lap of Winfield Saunders Jones l. was resting
relaxed magazine, like everything else evidently
having partaken deep of the sOmnolent atmosphere
Winfield Saunders Jones l. had thick black hair,
parted in the middle; Winfield Saunders Jones H.
had sparse yellowish hair, parted any old place
Winfield l. had a mustache; Winfield H. had none
Winfield / had two rows of teeth; Winfield III. had
only two teeth all told. But it was the consensus
of opinion that Winfield II. was the very image
of Winfield |. In the glow of the red lamp W1nfeld
L mildly gurgled; in the reflected glow from the room
itself Winfield H. slumbered gurgleless. The
clock upon the mantel over the ornamental fire
place struck soft nine-a nine of Christmas Eve
The house was still
The floor of the hall creaked slightly, and between
the portiGres yelling hallway from red-hghted room
peered an unshaven face 1t was joined by a second
After an instant of accommodating, a man slipped
through He was roughly dressed but he was
smoothly shod, for his steps were nolseless. lie
wore a cloth cap. In his right hand he carried
revolver of blued metal, poised as if on the alert
for sudden orders. He posted himself before
Winfield l. and quizzically surveyed him
gesture speaking to somebody upon the other side
Another man entered He also roughly
dressed coth-capped velvet-footed; but he carried
no revolver, only black Ol-cloth sack
Winfield L. sensing disturbing element amid
his unprotected Lares and Penates opened eye
The man fronting him with the revolver began
to grin. Howdy," he said amiably.
Winfield |. opened the other eye and stared with
a snap He sat bolt upright, and his magazine slid
to the floor to lie parayzed by the rude awakening
1>~,Io
to Winfield l. Go ahead, Bill Try in yonder. .
The man with the sack crossed diagonaly and
disappeared in the room contiguous, the apart
ment of Winfield II.
you've got your with you," grumbled
Winfield L. with a restless glance about as If medl-
tatng change of position. What do you think
you'll fnd?"
You set still! That's best for gent jest walin'
up-to set still" vouchsafed the Don't
YOU bother Sanity Claus, or he's liable to go an not
leave YOU a blessed thing" The speaker chuckled
How YOU comm Bill?" he said hoarsely.
"Whv-sayi Here's bloomin' baby!" announced
Bill from the adjoining room.
Wat do we care?" retOrted the guardian of
Winfield l. Indignantly. Gwan an do bus ness :"
"Purtiest kid you ever see! Hi-he's wakin
upl' continued Bill delightedly.
"Gwan!" growled the other man. much 1ncensed
"Ths amt no baby show! Amt you goin' to fill
that sack?"
BY Heavensl If either of you touches that
child" exclaimed Winfield L, starting forward
"Now, now; jest take it easy" soothed his guard
ian with mock solicitude pressing him back into
the chair I'VE amt goin' to harm the kid. You
be good, an when we've filled Sanity Claus's sack
well light out How you comm. Bill? You want to
get way down to the bottom of the drawers This
is the season when folks hide things, you know"
How can l do anything when this here kids
pipin' me Off" chuck1ed Bill.
"Lookee here blast your skin! you let that kid