Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

| Then / seen them sines and line sorry
| about the damage. Bill can't reed or rite. +"
| 1t was Mr.. Hotchkiss who devised a
/ brilliant plan to give Gardendale a reputa-
tion for thief killing-such desperate
name that no burglar would even venture
within it's precincts again. He wrote to the
city papers thrilling story Of the killing
of burglar. He said when the burglars
read that story they would let Gardendale
alone. 1t was such a good story that the
papers sent reporters out TO Gardendale to
| work it up. with pictures. The reporters
wrote some fine stories but not the kind
that GardendaIe expected. Mr.. Hotchkiss'
popularity fell so rapidly that it could be
heard to whizz through the air. and some
of the park people changed their news
papers end talked about libel suits.
1t was no wonder, therefore, when Mr..
Fanshawe told the news of his robbery to
his fellow members at the Greeniawn Golf
Club that they fell into state of despond-
ency.
What's the use of trying to keep 'em
out?' said M. Gates, disgustedly. Dogs,
babies Watchmen. guns, alarms-they
aren't worth a hoorah, the lot of en-
Il have an idea" said Mr.. Jackson.
that haven't got the right kind of
alarms
"Hotchkiss had an idea. too growled
Mr.. Fanshawe, land it made asses out of
u.s.
Now. you listen to my idea said Mr..
Jackson. I've been talking about it to
Wilson and he's helped to work it out
1t was a long and earnest session that
I he club held.
Late in June Mrs. Wilson was away on
a visit to her mother and Mr.. Wilson was
living all by himself and getting his meals
at the club. 1t was midnight when he
awoke, surprised to find gas jet burn
ing dmly. He was wondering sleepily
al u-bn Sljr.ht inkl oft tod
his attention and he twisted his head in
the direction of the dresser. There was
man standing in front of it, his back
turned toward the bed. and he seemed
to be rummagng in the top drawer. Mr..
Wilson regarded him quietly for a few
seconds and then his hand stole across
the bed under the spread. until it reached
the edge, where it rested carelessly. The
man continued to rummage for minute
longer and then glanced toward the bed.
Mr.. Wilson smiled at him pleasantly and
said:
IF you'll just turn up the light you can
| see better
The man uttered an exclamation. caught
| up "A revolver from the top of the dresser
| and said sharply:
You shut up and don't wiggle.'
II promised not to wiggle.' said Mr..
Wilson
The light was turned up cautiously and
| the man still kept his pistol pointed to-
| ward the bed.
Have you found what YOU want?" ask
| ed Mr.. Wilson. There isn't much in the
! house, I'm sorry to say
oh, I've got few things said the
| burglar in a puzzled sort of way. He
was not a bad looking young fellow,
| rather well dressed for burglar Mr..
! Wilson thought.
Aren't you afraid TO burgle around this
| place. continued Mr.. Wilson. ITS con-
| sidered a dangerous town for burglars"
The burglar laughed. 1T is. hey?' he
said. Why it's got the rep of being the
easiest place around New York. But
there amt much to it. if this house is a
sample. | guess I've got all that's worth
| taking here. I'll be going
Don't be in a hurry, said Mr. Wilson.
II never go till I'm ready, mister, but
| I'm ready now, said the burglar. making
a step toward the door. You just stay
| tight under the covers for five minutes.
| Understands
| But | want to tell you about the bur-
glar we caught here" said Mr.. Wilson.
First l ever heard OF it, said the bur-
| glar with a short laugh. When was
| that?'
| ..,ronight," said Mr. Wilson.
WHO was he?" asked the burglar. Curl
/ ously.
You" said Mr.. Wilson. smiling anna
| bly,.
Again the burglar laughed You're a
Joking sort of guy" he said. Sorry !
can't oblige you by staying"
| But you'll have to stay, my friend.
| You can't GO"
NO? Just stay in your little bed and
keep quiet mister. That's all you've got
| to do
But if you go out you'll likely not
get shot few times said Mr.. Wilson.
| What do you meau?' asked the bur-
| glar. roughly approachn the bed again.
| why just this said Mr.. Wilson.
| Our newly patented burglar alarm has
| been working ever since l woke up and
| saw you.