Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-27
DAILY SHORT STORY
AN EXCESS OF TALENT?

C6Onel Bridges Idncy dress Dali anu
realizing that he could not personate
any one so well as himself, resolved TO
attend as himself or rather as the pub
lie conceived him. with a coil OF rope
thrown over one shoulder. dark Ian
tern in one hand. a revolver in the
other mot loaded. of coursei and jim
my sticking out of his pocket
On the night of the ball. having made
himself look as little like the real Do
Ian and as much like a stage burglar as
possible. he put on a mask To cap the
costume as well as 10 conceal his unre-
fined features and proceeded to Colonel
Bridges residence. Seeing the colonel
NJ the front door taking the names OF
the arriving guests. Patsy withdrew 10
the rear. climbed Il treliis and effected
an entrance iIf1D Il closet Oh the second
floor from whence lie emerged among
a crowd OF guests pouring in and out
OF the dressing rooms. Concluding that
for the time being there must be more
people upstairs than downstairs. lie de
seconded end entered the main drawing
room. where stood the family waiting
10 receive the guests.
What an original idea" exclaimed
Miss Bridges as Patsy sailed into the
room. As sure as you live that's Ben
Harker. I'd know him in any costume.
| knew he'd come in something unique.
Why doesn't he come up To speak to
us: Oh. | forgot; IL burglar wouldn't
know enough for that"
A. soon as Miss Bridges could leave
the position of hostess she sought out
the burglar. She thought it would be
fun 10 pretend to mistake him for the
real thing
What are you doing here. SIR" she
said. I'm going 10 call policeman
and hand you over to him.
If Putsy's face could have been seen
through his mask he would have be
trayed himself but il couldn't, and this
gave him time 70 recover his assurance.
which admonished him to bluff
we're complmentin me costume"
he said nj venture.
Its splendid What's that sticking
out of your pocket
''Shure. it's me jimmy
You're the best character in the
room How did you come to think of
it!'
Patsy drew a sigh of relief
Pen Harker." continued the girl,
won needn't think you can fool me.
knew YOU the moment | saw you.
Come lets go into the ballroom
She led the relieved Patsy away and
forced him to stand with her in
square dance. He had no sooner dis
nI1 vol I,jS aKyk NvnrdnaSc than his mart
nor burst into Il laugh. and every one
in the set was convulSed with mirth at
the blunders of the burglar. Indeed. il
was not long before nearly every one
i'll the room was watching him. This
WAS too much success. and he tried
hard To dance like the resi-. but the
harder lie tried the worse he failed.
When the dance was finished he told
his partner that he was tired and must
go upstairs for n rest but she would
not permit the best character at the
ball 10 retire for Il moment.
"Oh. there's Il Policeman she eX
claimed. How nice il would be for
you two TO know leach Other"' And
she dragged the unwilling burglar To
the cop.
Here's burglar for you. Mr.. Pc
liceman. You'd better take him TO Jail.
You two are the best made up OF any
in the house. You're both splendid"
Are you an old offender or new to
crimeT" asked the policeman to keep
up the byplay.
Dim u yung bird" replied Patsy.
Ever cracked crib"
"\iver a oncet. Oim as innocent as
the day Oi first wint TO Sunda' school"
Miss Bridges clapped her hands.
He beats you" she said to the police
man. Isn't he a perfect character"
AS near the real thing as any ever
saw" replied the cop in dry tone that
made Patsy wish he hadn't such re
markable talents for impersonatiOn.
He wants to go upstairs and rest
said Miss Bridges 10 the policeman.
DO you think the jewelry would be
safe:'
Doubt it," replied the cop.
Il think Ill take him into the supper
room. I'd like an ice"
Watch the spoons if you do
These pleasantries were charming TO
the other two, but came rather too near
home for Patsy
vi ~ thinkin, he said. "Oi IN OBJ
trudin' rneseIf betune two frien's. and
the requirements OF polite society re
quires me LAWN ye. Good evenln'"
Il don't think it safe to let you travel
about the house alone" said the police
man You'd better stay by me till the
time comes to unmask" Then. turning
TO the young lady. he added. Don't
you think soT'
"Unmask?'' said Patsy. an IN con
cealed alarm in his voice. What's |
Jhat?"
Il think" the officer went on. that |
your presence at the unmasking would |
not help these festivities to pass pleas
antly. and you'd better unmask else /
where. Come with me. You're want
ed"
The last five words were not only ia
70 paf hnt 10