The Green Forest tribune., 1909-07-09
A Missionary Appropriation
BY EDITH MORGAN WILLETT
Copyright, by J. B. Lippineott Co)

gosh! I'm willing to enter the church if necessary to get the 'orntray' of a house like this!"
 Fifteen minutes later in the gor- geous peacock-blue and Nilegreen dining room MT. Swift" sat the guest of honor at well-laden board facing buffet the contents of which made his professional eye glitter. while his host piled him with delicacies.
 You know" Mrs. Boyleston in formed him earnestly as she stuffed his plate with chicken salad, I've always had the greatest respect for a man in your walk of life It seems to me, MT. Swift, that yours is tho noblest calling in the world"
 The Burglar merely smiled modest ly as he raised his well-laden fork to his mouth.
 Tt is a beautiful thought" his host ess pursued, with increased enthus- iasm, "of how you go from place to place just helping people"
 Her guest choked uncomfortably over his chocolate, refecting that his business, as it happened, consisted solely in helping himself.
 Misplaced admiration is rather dis concerting, and in some confusion the Burglar turned to his host. T say!" he began with nasty glance around the room, that's a handsome piece of bronze over there; genuine Satsuri. isn't it?'
 "Is it?" MT. Boyleston inqut sd, gazing at the Mandarin opposite with pleased surprise. Well, you don't say. I know it cost me a cool two hundred, but I don't pretend to be anything of a connyseer."
 "Conne-sure, pa" prompted Mrs. Boyleston reprovingly. My husband just got the house chuck full ot ex- pensive classic ornaments!' she in, formed her guest loftily.
 I'm a bit of a collector myself" the Burglar observed with consider able truth. You see, in the course of my travels I've picked up a lot of that sort of things, as well as er-pic- lures, and even silver and jewelry." He had not overshot the mark
 Now, that's good," calculated his host with manifest delight. 'Pd just like to show you a sapphire necklace l gave Malvina on Christmas It's in safe upstairs, for the fact is, there's been a good deal of alarm about burglars lately, and one has to be careful" Well, sir he contin- ued, breaking off as the butler en. tes-d the room, I'm going to take you round the house after tea and get your opinion on lot of our truck" MT. Boyleston was as good as his word, and it was a delightful and un- usual experience for the Burglar to have a wealthy householder lead him from room to room pointing out each object of value, with much useful in; formation.
 The wonderful evening was con cluded by an inspiring peep into his hosts safe-the mechanism of which that open-hearted gentleman carefully explained to his interested guest.
 Its been great pleasure, showing my things to such an appreciative man" he said warmly when he at length conducted the Burglar to his own room. Well, goodnight, sir; suppose you've got to work up your sermon now for tomorrow That's right, go ahead and plead the cause of the heather. There's plenty of us rich fellows in the neighborhood, and I give you full leave to get as much out of me as you can"
 Cheered by this liberal permission the Burglar prepared to carry out his hosts injunctions to the letter-as soon as the house should have quieted down.
 The Wheatley Daily Intelligencer of Monday morning had these sensa- tional headlines:
 ROBBERY IN HIGH LIFE. FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS GONE
 IN A NIGHT
 Then, below in diminishing print:
 "The handsome residence of Mr. Josiah P. Boyleston, on Fairlawn ave- nue, was entered last night, the thief, who is believed to be a wellknown New York crook, making off with sill yer. jewelry and other valuables to the amount, it is estimated, of $50,000.
 MT. Boyleston declined to discuss the robbery this morning, merely stat ing that the case had been reported at once to the police, who were doing their utmost to trace the fugitive"