The Monticellonian., 1907-03-14

through his ability to sneak into houses and purloiu such articles as might be within easy reach He did not rank well with thieves. and he certainly lid not rank well with honest people. The thieves considered his operations too petty to reflect any credit on him, and the honest people considered his operations of nature to reflect dis credit on anyone.
 But Bin saw the old tenants moving out of the house and no new tenants moving in. True. few boxes and crates were left there. and a man and q woman followed them and remained in the house for an hour or so, but if was evident that they had no intention of occupying it that night. Indeed, Bill heard the woman say, disdainfnlly; II will be two days before that house Is fir fos human habitation. Bill didn't speculate as to what might un- derlie this remark; he didn't much care The only point that impressed him was that the house would be ten antless for at least one night.
 Now. houses have plumbing, and junk dealers buy plumbing. \ vacant house has been known 10 have most of its water pipes ripped out in single night. in addition to which the gas range was carted away, various detachable parts of the furnace re- moved, and numerous fixtures taken. It would not be fair to accuse Bill of Il Her cause Bill had not the nerve to re- main long enough at work, but any thing that could be removed inside of an hour would be right in Bills line. And there were crates and boxes that might contain many things Of value.
 Bill straightway went in search of Gum Shoe Pete" who favored the same line of work and was just about as much of coward. Pete saw at once that there were splendid oppor- tuEities in the vacant house, so il was agreed that there should be some thing doing" that night. But, at the very moment that Bill and Pete were discussing the vacant house, the wom- an who had been there Tn the after noon was complaining to the man be cause il was tenanted.
 You cant fool me." she declared. I've lived in flats long enough to know the signs, and the very conditions show that the old tenants were sloV- enly crowd. There are bugs in that house.
 There won't be tomorrow. said the man with conviction. I was pretty nearly overcome myself while was lighting that last sulphur can de"
 I'm taking no chances" asserted the woman. T would not move into the house until t has been thorough ly fumigated. Of course. Be are run ming risk in leaving the crates and boxes there. but t can't he helped If anyone breaks in
 Heaven help him!e lnterjected the man.
 At any rate said the woman, Eve are doing what We can to discourage any objectionable occupants that it may have"
 This campaign for health and com fort. which every true housewife ia- variably undertakes when she follows in the wake of an unknown family. was something beyond the ken of Bill and Pete: it never even occur red to them, when they were forcing a basement wlndow, that such things were done But, when Bill finally put his head in at the opened window, there was something that troubled him greatly. The candles were burn ing on the upper floors. but sulphur is penetrating.
 Pete said Bill, that don't smell right to me-
 "Aw, g'wan. ordered Pete. giving Bill a push that sent him into the basement. Then Pete put his own head through the window, and imme- diately thereafter tried to withdraw it: but Bill, having regained his feet. yanked him in.
 There's goin to be two of us when the devil calls the roll announced Bill.
 Sitting OF the floor. where they had fallen. they sniffed, and then looked at each other as well as they could in the gloom. Bill sounded the floor wlth the heel of his boot and finally put his nose to crack. He naturally took It for granted that the fumes came from below.
 "Wisht we'd broke in higher up. he whispered huskily. This is too near.
 Crust must be mighty thin" sug- gested Pete. If it busts, we're gon- CTS Let's git out"
 "S- sh" cautioned Bill, rising and peeping out of the window. There's cop at the corner.
 Lets git upstairs, anyhow" urged Pete. Even in my human home I never did like bein' too close to the furnace
 He made for the stairs. and Bill fol- lowed, but they staggered back when they opened the door to the main hall.
 We're there'" groaned Bill.
 No. We ain't." asserted Pete. ''It don't work right for that"
 "Oh, we re there," insisted Bill dis mally. I wonder when we died. don't remember dyin'. Pete, do you? But We sure died or we wouldn't be
 Shut up," commanded Pete. If we was dead wed be falhn' into it instead of climbin' into it. The higher we go the worse it gifts"
 How do we know-if we're dead?" asker Bill. We may be goin down