Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-17
get hla revolver. he Nigh. command the st

Eet nls revolver, no fhisHt cohnlaAu tAo BIT
When the burglar had thoroughly ran
sacked the whole apartment compelling
Bell to follow him about with the child
and causing the poets heart to swell with
indignation as he witnessed his bills and
jewslry disappear into the robbers capa-
cious pockets, he took the child and placed
IL back on the bed. where the little fellow
began TO Groom and crow.
Suddenly the burglar turned on Bell, who
was standing on the opposite side Of the
bed. planning desperately.
Say don't you think it's dirty trick to
steal "a cute little cuss like this7" The
poets jaw fell. You look like man, then
why the devil don't you act like one? Why
don't you get decent, clean graft like
nline?,' Bell started to expostulate, but the
burglar stopped him. Shut up. III do
the talking. You aren't fit TO answer q
white man, anyway. How do you think the
back and finds the little cues gone? Why.
it. man, didn't you ever have a little
kid of your own?'' The poet choked and
CROPPED for chair, as the burglar continued
Hanged II can see how you can ever look
yourself in the face after night like this.
He took a string of pearls from his pocket
and dangled it before the baby's eager
hi1nds. Beil had purchased the string IN
Cairo, and priced it highly.
Gaining possession of the pearls, the BABY
thrust out its chubby legs and the burglar
leaned forward and tiekled them. Their
owner squealed with delight. The burglar
arose.
"I'l be bowed if you steal this kid
The two men stood facing each other.
burglar and poet, and the baby croWed pc
tween them, kicking out its fat legs ana
playing with the stolen string of pearls
Look at the little cussn' exclaimed the
burglar. He polzed his revolver against the
little Gus " contented stomach. The son
of a gum
See herei' exclaimed Bell, you attend
to your business and I'll attend to mine;
There's no honor among thieves anyway
he added, whitehot and helpless.
y dangerous light came into the burglar
eyes Don't you compare your dirty,
sneaking work with my graft. I'd have
more respect for a man who robbed grave
than one who robbed a cradle.
We'll" snapped the poet, what are you
going to do about ii? %
"I'n tell you what I'm going to do about
It, I'm going to take the kid home to my
wife. and tomorrow III turn it over to the
Bell sat down and played with the bed
coyerlet. The burglar continued w hen
you get little kid like this of your own
you'll look at these things differently.
You'll see the moral side then
He took the string of pearls from the
baby and placed 1t in his pocket then ne
lifted the child into his arms Now you
sit there till you hear a rooster crow and
not another word move from YOU, my
friend" The revolver was gripped menac-
ingly. Come on. young 'un, faint safe Tor
you in these quarters" The burglar moved
toward the door.
Hold on" cried Bell, starting up. That
child"
The revolver moved in a circle. Il know
a chap once what talked hole in the
ground. Shut up!'
Like one in a dream, Bell saw the door
close on the burglar and baby. Ihen ne
stared at the pillow where the baby mad
lain, and afterward about his ransacked
apartment. Finally he arose and won't 10
the window. Through the whirlng storm.
by aid of white flash of lightning, he saw
a man forging his way across the park
grasping something closely in his arms
He began to whistle; then to swear softly:
Then he sat down and schemed. Soot
plan would reach further than a pistol shot.
He would inform the police OF the matter,
and when the burglar reported at head
quarters with the baby he would have bin
arrested
But the police received no later infor-
nation in regard to a lost baby, or baby
found Bell wondered Had tho burglar
repented his sympathy and hid the child?
Or had his seeming kindness been but q
well-laid scheme to possess the infant IN
hopes of reward?
A month passed, and one afternoon as he
was crossing the park where he had found
the child his attention was attracted by
man wheeling baby carriage. something
In the mans face chained the poets gaze
He stepped forward and star91 from MIN
to the healthy, growing baby in the wicker
carriage
We'll" he cried; 80 you kept the baby
too"
The man looked at Bell. IN be -,
It's you!'
Eyes; it's me-" Bells eyes wandered off
in search of policeman
mo Use" grinned the other. You can't
have me pinched for stealing the kid
We'll seeH'
say; cried the burglar eagerly, honest
now, did you steal this kid that night?"
MOI Numbered Bell 81 found him lost
here In the park, and took him to my
room"
The burglar stared with fallen jaw. Then
you-
Eyes; 1 am the man who lives in the
middle apartment. and whom you robbed"
The burglar was about to speak, but In
stead of words he reached out his hand,
and, grasping the poets, wrung 1t warmly
Don you worry now; I'll send back all
that stuff took. There's only the pearls
sold but I know who bought EN-, and his
house is dead easy. Why, dang it. man,
you saved the kids life!'
"Well2''
''Well-don't you see? When I got home
with the kid and showed it to my wife
why, pal, it was my own kid:'