Connecticut western news., 1907-01-24
AN EMBARRASSING
 INTRODUCTION


 gated at breakfast 1t was to greet the husband and father, who had arrived during the night from long absence abroad. There were Mrs. Entwhistle; Joe, aged twenty-two; Clara, aged twenty, and Benny, aged ten. The meeting involved 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 subsided and all were seated at the table Joe Entwhlstle 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 burglar"
 ''I was tackling burglar"
 "A burglar" exclaimed all the young sters at once.
 ''Yes, real live burglar"
 Did he get away?" asked Joseph eagerly.
 "He did not. He made a great ef- fort to do so, but held him."
 What time of night was 1t" asked Clara.
 "One o'clock. The steamer reached the dock at 12, and got home an hour later. Leaving the carriage, I ran up the steps, pulling out my night key-I have kept 1t on my ring since I've been away-put 1t in the keyhole and open ed the door. As I did so a man at <ny tod f< nd Considering the hour and his frantic efforts, I surmised that something was wrong and, gathering all my strength, pushed him back into the vestibule."
 And came out alivew exclaimed Jo- seph. Father, you were lucky. It's a wonder he didn't kill you. I tell you it's no safe job to tackle a burglar"
 'Now that It's all over I fancy he must have been more of a sneak thief than a regular housebreaker.."
 'What did you doY'
 "I took him by the collar and march ed him down on to the sidewalk and half block up the street, where fortu- nately I met policeman and gave him in charge"
 What kind of looking thing was hep asked Clara.
 His appearance favored the theory that he was a sneak thief. He was well 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 overcoat in the hall"
 Poor felloww mused Clara "And is he in prison?
 ''Indeed he is, and I must be at the police office at 10 o'clock to appear against him. But enough of this. Tell me what has taken place while I've been away"
 "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 MT. Entwhistle had been sub jected in a 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 plunder had been found on the burglar, though nothing was missed.
 eff there hasn't, will you let him go, papa?" asked the sympathetic Clara. "I've a mind to go with you to see that you do."
 After some discussion the young lady was permitted to accompany her fla ther downtown, stopping at the police office by the way. Her father took her into the office, and after an inter- view with the man at the desk the prisoner was brought out for inspec- ton. He had no sooner appeared than Miss Clara fell on the floor in dead faint. Her father picked her up, and a policeman ran for water, which was sprlnkled in her face. When she open ed her eyes and saw the anxious group about her she looked wildly at the pris- oner and gasped:
 "Oh, Alec!"
 MT. Entwhistle turned to the man with astonishment.
 There's been a mistake" said the burglar ruefully. Last night I was calling on your daughter. When I left l SnuC lQe luneT uOOT duu COuluu Opch the outer one. 1 was penned in be- tween the two."
 Good gracious!' exclaimed the fa- ther.
 "Oh, Alec" moaned the daughter, q thought you must be thief!'
 "Why the dickens didn't you pound on the doorg' asked the father an grily.
 "I spent half an hour trying to pick the lock, and by that time every one had gone to bed. couldn't make up my mind to rouse them. It was too ridiculous. you know. When you open ed the door I 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 inT'
 Well, I knew you were expected and supposed you were Clara's father. I thought I'd explain 1t to the police. But they didn't believe me-"
 "Some one call carriage" cried MT. Entwhistle.
 leu minutes later MT. Entwhistle, Clara and the burglar were at the Ent- hictIa