Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-01-02
An Excess of Talent /?
[Original.l


Patsy Dolan, professional burglar,
approaching the opportunity offered at
Colonel Bridges fancy dress ball and
realizing that he could not pecsonate
any one SO wei as himself, resolved to
attend rs himself or rather as the pub
lie conceived him, with coil of rope
thrown over one shoulder, a dark Ian
tern in enc hand revolver in the
other (not loaded, OF coarsc) ana jim
my sticking out Of his pocket.
On the night Of the bail, having made
himself Look as little like the real Do
Ian and US aluch like a stage burglar as
possible, he put ON a MASK to cap the
costume as Te.l us to conceal his unre-
fined features and proceeded 10 Colonel
Bridges residence. Seeing the colonel
at the front door taking the names Of
the arriving guests, Palsy withdrew TO
the rear, climbed Il trellis and erected
an entrance into closet OH the second
floor, from whence he emerged among
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, he de-
seconded and entered the main drawing
room. where stood the family waiting
to 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
AS soon as Miss Bridges could leave
the position of hostess she sought out
the burglar. She thought it would be
fun to pretend to mistake him for the
real thing.
''What are you doing here, slr?" she
said. I'm going to call II policeman
ans hand YOU over to him"
IL patsy's face could have been seen
tllrorga his mask he would hare be-
tfaycl himself. but 1t couldn't, and this
gave him time to recover his assurance,
which adnonished him TO buff.
"Ye're complimentin' me costume"
lie said at venture.
Its splendid. What's that sticking
ont of your pocket?"
IoHIIe, IL y Illt Jllliiis
You're the best character in the
room How did you come to think of
it,"
Patsy drew a sigh OF relief.
"Bcn IIarker," continued the girl.
'ypu needn't think you can fool me- /
knew you the moment | saw YOU.
Come, let's go into the ballroom
She led the relieved Patsy away and
forced him to stand with her in a
square dance. He had no sooner dis
played his awkwardness than his part
ner burst into a laugh, and every one
in the set was convulsed with mirth at
the blunders of the burglar. Indeed, it
was not long before nearly every one
in the room was watching him. This
was too much success, and he tried
hard to dance like the rest, but the
harder he tried the worse he failed.
When the dance was finished he told
his partner that he was tired and must
go upstairs for rest, but she would
not permit the best character at the
ball to retire for a moment.
"Oh, there's a policeman she ex-
claimed. "How nice it would be for
you two to know each other!'' And
she dragged the unwilling burglar to
the cop.
Here's n burglar for you, Mr.. Po-
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
crime?' asked the policeman to keep
up the byplay.
'Orm yung bird" replied Patsy.
"Ever cracked n crib?'
"Niver a oncet. Oim as innocent as
the day Oi first whit to Sunda' school,"
Miss Bridges clapped her hands.
"Ie beats you she said to the police
man. isn't he Il perfect character?"
''As near the real thing as any l ever
saw" replied the cop in a dry tone that
made Patsy wish he hadn't such re-
markabc talents for impersonation.
''He wants to go upstairs and rest"
said Miss Bridges to the policeman.
do you think the jewelry would be
safe:"
"Doubt it." replied the cop.
II think I'll take him into the suppe,
room. Id like IN lee
Watch the spoons If you do"
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