The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-01-13

what charges are laid at his door. only waiting for proofs to convict him of bur glary, or attempted burglary. What you think of it2"
 The Twins thought that whatever Brick top thought was the right course to pur- sue. Then Lettie said I'm so sorry for that poor old woman, Grandma Peters. If Nick should be sent to prison 1t would kill her.''
 The sound of tears Tn his sisters voice decided Briektop. He arose. got his hat and oyercoat and told The Twins he would go then and there.
 Only half an hour went by when Brick top returned, his face glum and full of disappointment. He was not at home," he told the Twins. ''The old grandmother is sick in bed too, and needs hlm." Brlcktop went on. And how poor they are, Riddles. It is dreadful to see such want. We must go down there tomorrow with something-what was that?" he broke off with, listening. A noise was heard as of someone moving about in the kitchen, which was just behind the sit ting-room, where the children sat. A reading lamp, deeply shaded, was the only light In the house, and as the blinds were closely drawn, one from outside would suppose the household in bed md asleep, for 1t was almost 10 o'clock, an unusually late hour for the Perkins chl- dren to be up. But the excitement nt- tending the burglar question and Bricks visit to the Peters home had kept them so occupied that they had not thought of the time.
 Someone in the Kitchen" whispered Lettle. Maybe it's-its Nick" she ad ded in her brothers ear.
 You two go and stand beside the door leading from the dlnlng-room Into the kitchen. I'll go round the house and enter the kitchen door. Slip cautiously and make no sound," warned Bricktop
 In another moment Lettie and Bette were in the dining-room crouching beside the closed door leading Into the kitchen. With their ears to the keyhole they heard someone walking about on tip-toe In the pantry Within few moments they heard the kitchen door open from the outside (Brlcktop had taken the key from the kitchen door that night when locking It. so that he could enter from without, and someone entering. Then there was the sound of a match being scratched, and Bricks voice was heard saying: stand where you are, Nick, and you won't be hurt. But If you move l can't answer for the consequences.
  from the pantry, a heavy noise as of some one falling, and in another minute Brick had a light and was calling the Twins to come in. When Bettie and Let tie stepped into the kitchen their eyes fell on poor, thiny-clad Nick Peters. who | was on his knees his hands clasped plead ingly, and his eyes full of terror. "I wasn't goin to take thing, Brick, 'cept something for granny to eat Honest, I'm telln' the truth. Granny an | hain't had nuthin' ter eat fer two days 'cept some ole scraps I found in barrel | behind Albrights house last night. Don't, Brick, don't have me took. What would become of old granny"
 Let us pass over all that happened then. Only you must know thnt Brick took the poor fellows hands from hls face and helped him to rise, saying: "No one shall harm you, Nick. You are a poor, misguided fellow, sinned against more than shining"
 Then passed half an hours conversa- ton between them, The Twins busy the meanwhile packing a basket with food. Everything Brick said to Nick that night was never forgotten by the poor fellow who had been on the very verge of ruin. He could scarcely understand the enor- mty of the crime of entering other peo-