The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-09-25

was in strain that left no doubt of
his opinion of his assistant, whor. e
effectively silenced. He continued at
his arduous task until a noise from
without stopped him.
"Wot's that?" said Bill. "'Ave a
look"
1t was the window through which
they had entered blown to by the
breeze, but 'Arry's nerves were in too
dreadful state for him to assume
that it was anything less than the
rigorous hand of the hand of the law.
Its what / expected, Bill. Oh,
Lord, to think O. me bein' copied in
place like this! To be copied in a
church,"
If it's all the same to you,r said
Bill, II don't want to be COPIED in
one or out of one" He proceeded to
make investigations, and returned
satisfied that the wind was at fault.
His snivelling partner revived a
little on hearing that there was no
danger.
You git OFF out o. my way" said
Bill. warningly, "afore / does some
damage ter yer. And you can take
weeks notice from ter-night," he
added, grimly.
The persuasive language ceased
now, and Bills work was accom-
panied by epithets more forcible than
polite. He paused once or twice to
comment in profane way on the de-
light of having partner with relig-
ious views, and swore by many un-
mentionable things never even to rec
ognize him again. The task was a
tougher one than he expected, but a
glad and loud breathed "Ah!" told
the hidden man that the safe door
had at last yielded.
Three seconds of silence, and then
Bill swore solemnly. Another silence,
and he uttered in low, swift success
sion number of fierce oaths.
"Wot are yer dom, Bill?" came a
whisper from outside.
"Sayin' me prayers" said Bill.
This answer was doubted.
"Are yer goin' ter chuck it?"
"I'm prayin' agenst tenn ation, y
was the response. Lord love old
Riley!" added Bill, in low tones.
"Fust i'm. and then this ere. Wot
lucki"
Suspicious of the silence, Bills
partner came forward. The moon
had disappeared, and the dark Ian.
tern was closed.
Ave yer got it open?" he asked.
No." said Bill, untruthfully, rising
to his feet. 1--WE bin thinkin' O. wot
you said, mate. 1t don't seem alto.
gether right"
The other was probably too amazed
to comment on this remark.
Il remember now," said Bill; 81
once went to Sunday-school meself
It's jest come back ter me, and ]
says. AIRY is right 1 says; L didn't
ought ter do it, And SO you are, old
pal"
And you didn't get it open?" said
the old pal, with considerable aston.
| ishment.
1t was your persuasion, said Bill
You're the right sort for a pal
AIRY. I'll take your advice, and
We'll git orr. I couldn't take quid
out O. that box now if you begged me
+, to on yer knees"
The footsteps echoed family as
they departed, and Burrows, with a
sort of dazed surprise, locked &c
where the open window showed a
dark blue slit in the gloom. The
moon reappeared as the two forms
clambered up and disappeared.
After while Burrows got I'D and
looked about him. Taking the direc.
ton he believed to be correct, he
llcame upon the safe with its open
lldoor. The inventor was naturally
curious, for Bills toae had been one
of disappointment He lit a match
and stopped before the safe. 1t was
a big, heavy shell, yawning and
empty. The bottom was covered with
thin layer of dust, and in the mid
die of it lay one coin of the realm
a halfpenny!
| AS Mr.. Burrows stood there, with
the red end of the match glowing on
the ground before him, his own mis-
fortunes came back, and they ap.
peaYed in less virulent form.
After ALL he said. musingly, al
seems that every profession has its
setbacks. The Sketch.