The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-21
!. AN EMBARRASSING
INTRODUCTION
[Original.1

When the Entwhistle family congre-
gated at breakfast 1t was to greet the
husband and father, who had arrived
during the night from a long absence
abroad. There were Mrs. Entwhistle;
Joe, aged twenty-five; Clara. aged
twenty. and Benny, aged ten. The
meeting involved a great deal Of hug
ging and kissing between the father
and his children, the greetings between
husband and wife having taken place
the night before. When the excitement
had subsidized and all were seated at
the table Joe Entwhistle said:
But, father, why in the world did
you make so much noise coming In last
night? Any one would have supposed
you were tackling a burglar"
Il was tackling a burglar"
"A burglarw exclaimed all the young
sters at once.
Yes, real live burglar"
did he get awayY' asked Joseph
eagerly.
HE did not. He made a great eff
fort to do so, but held him."
what time Of night was it?" asked
Clara.
Zone o'clock. The steamer reached
the dock at II. aud got home an hour
later Leaving the carriage, ran up
the steps, pulling out my night KEY
have kept it on my ring since I've been
away-put it in the keyhOle and open
ed the door. AS did so man at
tempted to push by me and go out.
Considering the hour and his frantic
efforts. surmised that something was
wrong and, gathering all my strength,
pushed him back into the vestibule."
"And came out alive" exclaimed 10
seph. Father you were lucky. It's
wonder he didn't kill you. tell you
it's no safe job to tackle burglar"
Now that it's all over l fancy no
must have been more Of a sneak thief
than a regular hOusebreaker."
what did you dO?"
81 took him by the collar and march
ed him down on to the sidewalk and
half block up the street, where fOrtu-
nately l met policeman and gave him
in charge"
what kind of looking thing was
hep asked Clara.
His appearance favored the theory
that he was q sneak thief. He was
we'll dressed, though his face was bad.
He looked like one of those respectable
appearing persons who call at peoples
houses Ostensibly to see some one, but
really to pick up an OvcrcOat in the
hall"
Poor fellow unused Clara. "And
Is he in prison"
Indeed he is, anG ! must be at the
police office at 10 o'cfS,k to appear
against him. But enough OF this. Tell
me what has taken place -whLa I've
been away" 4
"Clara's''- Benny was beginning
when his mother said Hush"
Then followed an account Of the re-
turn voyage and the perils Of the sea
to which Mr. Entwhistle had been sub !
jected in big storm. When the
breakfast was finished he arose, re-
marking that he must go at once to the
police court. He was anxious to know
If any plumber had been found on the -.
burglar, though nothing was missed.
IF there hasn't, will you let him go, !
papa?" asked the sympathetic Clara. !
eve a mind to 60 with you.to see that
you Go" !
After sore discussion the young lady |,
4 t0vs n
Their downtown, stopping at the police
Office by the way, Her father took {
her into the Office, and after an inter !
view with the man ~ the desk the
prisoner was brought Oat for inspec- 8
ton. He had no sooner appeared than
Miss Clara fell on the floor u a dead
faint. Her father picked her up, and
a policeman ran for water, which was
sprinkled in her face. When she open
ed her eyes and saw the anxious group
about her she looked wildly at tho pris-
oner and gasped:
"Oh, Alec"
Mr.. Entwhistle turned to the man
with establishment.
There's been mistake" said the
burglar ruefully. Last night l was
calling on your daughter. When l left
/ shut the inner door and couldn't open
the outer one. l was penned in be-
tween the two"
Good gracious!" exclaimed the IA
Tier.
"Oh, Alec moaned the daughter, II
thought you must be thief.'
"Why the dickens didn't you pound
on the door?' asked the father an
grily.
II spent half an hour trying to pick
the lock, and by that time every one
had gone to bed. I couldn't make up
nv mind to rouse them. 1t was too
ridiculous, you know. When you open
ed the door l thought I'd better make
an effort to get out and away without
saying anything"
But why didn't you speak before
you were run in?'
"Well, l knew you were expected
and supposed you were Clara's father.
I thought I'd explain it to the police.
But they didn't believe me-"