Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-03-11

room. sir" went on Mrs. Boyleston,
much impressed by her visitors man
ners.
Dinners over, but we'll have lit
tie bite of something, Mr.. Swift. as
soon as you're ready, sir!"
When the Burglar at length found
himself alone in the magnificent guest
chamber his repressed mirth broke
forth over the delicious irony of the
situation.
Me missionary" he chuckled, as
he carefully examined the silver ar
ticles on the dressing table. IF that
amt the limit! Well! Well! I've
slammed butler and even valet many
time for the sake of a haul. and by
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 Nile-green
dining room "Mr. Swift" sat the guest
of honor at a 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
man in your walk of life. 1t seems
to me. Mr. Swift that yours is the
| noblest calling in the world
The Burglar merely smiled modest
| ly, as he raised his well-laden fork tt
| his mouth.
"It is beautiful thought" his host
ess pursued, with increased enthus
| iasm, "of how you go from place tt
place just helping people"
Her guest choked uncomfortably
over his chocolate, rejecting that his
business, as it happened, consisted
solely in helping himself
Misplaced admiration is rather dis
concerning, and in some confusion the
| Burglar turned to his host. Il say!'
he began with hasty glance around
| the room, that's handsome piece Of
bronze over there; genuine Satsuri
isn't it?"
rs it?" Mr.. Boyleston inquired
gazing at the Mandarin opposite with
| pleased surprise. well, you don't
| say. l know it cost me cool two
hundred, but l don't pretend to be
anything of connyseer.'
| "Conne-sure, pa prompted Mrs
Boyleston reprovingly. MY husband
just got the house chuck full of ex
| pensive classic ornaments" she in
formed her guest loftily.
| I'm a bit of 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.
Nov, that's good" calculated his
host with manifest delight. I'D just
| like to show you sapphire necklace
| I 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 tc
| be careful" "Well, SIR" he contin
ued, breaking off as the butler en-
tered the room, I'm going to take yor
round the house after tea and gel
your opinion on lot of our truck.
Mr.. Boyleston was as good as his
word, and it was a delightful and I'M
usual experience for the Burglar te
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 a great pleasure, showing
my things to such an appreciative
man." he said warmly when he al
length conducted the Burglar to his
own room. well, goodnight, sir;
suppose you've got to work up YOU
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 QUOTED
down.
The Wheatley Daily Intelligencel
of Monday morning had these sensa
| tional headlines:
ROBBERY IN HIGH LIFE.