Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-06-30
WATSON'S WELCOME.

from their wedding trip Tuesday even
ing. The new fiat was in a state of
complete readiness. There were sew
eral varieties of breakfast foods in the
pantry and flowers were on the dining
table. Young Mrs Watsons mother
and sisters had given the finishing
touches so many times over that they
had lost count.
1t was the absolute perfection of the
new fiat that gave Phillips his idea.
The more he thought about it the more
strongly did it appeal to him. He took
Herrick into his confidence. Herrick
was enthusiastic from the start. Both
were intimate friends of Watson, and
naturally they wished to make his
homecoming an event.
By iudicious inquiries made of Mrs
WatsOn's younger sister, Phillips
learned that the happy couple would
be home about II O'Clock on Tues
day evening. He guessed that the
family would give a final finishing
touch to the apartments late that day.
but estimated that by nine O'Clock it
would be ready for Herrick and him
self to do their part.
So. shortly before nine O'Clock on the
evening in question, they presented
themselves at the street and number
indicated on Watsons wedding cards.
The whole building was dark which
augured well for the success of their
undertaking. Herrick had been doubt
full about getting in. but Phillips, the
optimist, assured him that there was
always a window by which one could
enter In this case it proved to be a
kitchen window, opening on the porch.
Phillips manipulated his knife with the
skill of a practiced burglar and ad-
mitted that he had seriously thought
of this calling as an alternative. pro-
vided he did not meet his expectations
on the board of trade.
The fiat in which they found them
selves had "A most convincingly home
like air Phillips lighted the gas in
all the rooms and the two men agreed
that there was none of the stiffness
and raw newness usually apparent in
apartments of the recently we'd But
they had little time for admiration.
Phillips reminded Herricll that two
hours was all too short for the work
they had planned.
The arrangement of various placards
on the walls expressive of the bliss of
the married state occupied but a few
minutes. Then the real work of the
evening began. The dining table was
moved into the bathroom, the chairs
being placed on top of it. The brass
bed was carefully set up in the parlor
and a number of kitchen utensils we're
brought in to keep it company. Other
exchanges equally original and strik-
ing were effected. The perspiratiOn
rolled down the faces of the two con-
spirators by this time. Any self-re-
speeding drayman would protest if re-
quired to do an equal amount of work
in the same brief period.
So absorbed were they in their prep
arations that they did not hear foot
steps on the stairs Their first warn
ing was the grating of a key in the
lock.
and jerked him into the hall closet
Since he was caught he prepared him
self to enjoy his friends surprise.
There was an instants silence. then
a little shrek John" a voice said
burglars have been here!" The voice
did not sound like Mrs. Watsons.
Don't be silly. Susan" said another
voice, which certainly did not resemble
that of a husband of two weeks stand
ing.
There was a sound of the scratching
of matches, then a strange apoplectic
snorting, as if fury had made some one
incapable of articulate speech.
There's some mistake" whispered
Phillips in his friends ear, Phillips
has his faults but lack of courage is
not one of them. AS he stepped out
and faced the irate householders Her
rick felt as if he were witnessing the
charge of the light brigade. At the
sudden appearance of this bold bur-
glar. the woman tainted. while the
bald-headed man said Murder" in a
hoarse whisper and collapsed against
the door.
There has been a mistake" said
Phillips, addressing himself with great
courtesy to the bald-headed man.
There is no cause for alarm. 1t is
only little joke"
Joke! joke" roared the bald
headed man, gaining courage from
Phillips humility.
Then Phillips explained. He took
them into the parlOr and showed them
the placards which said, Were just
married" and Amt we happy" He
pointed out that nothing was missing
from the apartment though everything
was upset. He professed his willing
| ness To make eXerYthinP right The