The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-06-09
A JUSTIFIED BURGLAR.
BY Harry Haincs.
OopNrisat. 1905. by w. Y. NCarst.)

Copyright. 1905. by w. r. Hcarst)
Arnold Todd must have become ac
customed TO III. for periodically bur
glars relieved him of all his poke
money, diamonds and other persona
bric-a-brac without ever being caugh
in the act or leaving any clue to theit
discovery. Nothing was ever taken be.
longing to Mrs. Todd. but. as tina
pathetically said. she had moth.
ing they could take eXcept her wedding
ring, which was on her finger. OF he
clothes, which would not have resaic
the effort. For Mrs. Todd was a ve,-
liable household grudge. Her husband
had house and lands. as We'll 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. Thei,
clothes h made over from her OWL
and their fathers Worn out garments
and in 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 NJ.
Todd-if the truth We're told-as much
as they did Mrs. Todd He usually
waited until the stolen goods could not
be recovered hen he purchased a new
outfit and, after hiding them carefully
S'>H " q wv VIII LS ~
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
Neen chloroformed, otherwise she would
never have closed an eye.
Il should think. Mary" her husband
complained. that % anxiety about
the children would keep you awake.
Think what an effect it would have on
them to see a burglar in their ROOM"
But The burglars never go 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.
1t was the turning point in Mr.. Todd's
destiny. AT that hour when he should
nave been sleeping the soundest he
suddenly awakened and saw by the dim
night light a strange figure in his room
that of a man muttled in a black cloak
with a SLOUGH hat drawn over his face
and a silk mutt1er round his neck and
chin. He was rifing Mr.. Todd's peck
etc. Mr.. Todd did not own a revolver.
He would not have killed a man to save
all his wealth, much as he loved it,
He lay still for a moment, thinking
how to surprise the burglar, then. hav-
ing made up his mind to a plan, he
put it into immediate execution. He
SNfN " ~ OCI - COUIlu tllttl
took him into the middle of the room
and pinioned the burglar from behind.
A terrific scream rent the air. Todd
held IN a mighty grasp a limp, trem-
bling form from which he tore the dis
guislng cloak. revealing the partner of
his joys and sorrows. Mrs. Todd.
Mary" he gasped. MARY. you?"
Yes. MIR. Todd, me-" She turned and
faced him. "Oh, you needn't be sur
prised. Where did you p l got
any money if I didn't either steal it or
beg it. seeing that you never gave me
any. 1T l wanted a penny to put in the
contribution box on Sunday had to
ask you for it, and explain what 1 was
going to do with it. You never gave me
a sovereign in your life without expect
nineteen shillings back in change"
Mary"
It's the truth. and you know it, Arm
old. Instead of making me a regular
allowance, as any husband ought to,
you make me save and scrimp and go
without everything but food. Many a
lime I've left my empty purse lying
fill it. And you never lid. And
all the time you carried gold, silver
and notes in your pocket-and bought
you wanted"
You might have taken them without
yourself as a burglar, Mary"
AOu WOulu lave suspected me, and
long could | have kept the money?
No, the burglar was more welcome to
1t than l would have been. But 1
never dreamed hat you would wake.
Now, l do not care for myself am
only sorry for you. The mar who Fan
drive a woman to such straits is to be
pitied. l have as good a right to the
money as you have-I helped to make
it, and there is no law to vonvict a
Wife for stealing from her own hns-
band"
Mr.. Todd was seeing things past and
present. and in those few moments of
time. as h dying do-cleariy and
without prejudice. He took his wife
in his arms.
you are nervous and tired, DEAF" he
said. Lie down and compos yourself
to rest. see. Mary. that 1 am the
real burglar have robbed you OF
your earnings and your lawful dues.
Before l sleep you shall have a bank
account in your ame and l will never
ask you what o do with the money.
And you can give up being a burglar
tor good and ALL"