El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-09-02
CBy Nettie BrockIey.)

hence the fact that he went abou
it in manner which would hav
| made a hardened housebreaker blus
with shame. if a housebreaker can b
| accused of such a form of weakness
Before, however, he had been quite
| respectable member of the community
| That is to say, he and his little wifi
had managed to exist on SO a. weel
without having any socialistic design
on other peoples property. But whei
little Tomlins arrived and demand
! ed It's share OF the weekly finances
! things began to take a turn.
| TOmlins, the happy father. was
| drapery assistant, and as every draper!
| assistant knows, it is not the simples
| thing on earth to keep wife on 81
week, and babies are quite out o.
the reckoning.
So Tomlins asked for a rise, which
| was the most natural thing under the
circumstances.
suburban drapery emporiums are more
concerned with increasing the com
any's dividends than the population.
You see, sir exclaimed Tomlins
nervously. Il am married. I didn't tel
you before thinking it wasn't neces-
sary; but now there's a baby, so an
increase in my money would be very
much appreciated"
'Oh. You are married. are you?" COM
mented the pompous manager II sup
pose you are aware that its against the
rules of this establishment for assist
ants TO marry? Instead Of giving you q
raise, I am very much afraid we shall
have to dispense with your services af-
ter Saturday next"
SO it was after six months unsuc-
cessful search for work that Tomlins
found plenty of time to develop social
isttc tendencies. Two-thirds Of the fur
niture had gone to make firewood or
meet the memorable demands of the tall
~ men; all the saleable articles sold.
and all the pawnSbIe articles pawned:
which explains why Tomlins was creep
Ing along IN the shadows of a neigh
boring vicarage at the gentle hour Of
midnight.
The fact that the scene of his first
burglary should be parsons residence
seems to stamp him at once as an anna
teur, since reverend gentlemen have
the reputation Of being as poor as the
proverbial mice that haunt their
churches. This particular clergyman.
however. the wheabouts Of whose
study Tomlins was endeavoring to dis
cover, had only that evening been made
the recipient of a purse Of $3.50 and a
ing and grateful parish, to quote the
LEGAL papers
But it troubled Tomlins little wheth-
er the testimonial was deserved or not.
Slowly he located the position of the
study window. and discovered that II
was unfastened. He climbed cautiously
on to the sill, raised the window. and
descended into the room, neatly alight-
ing on coal scuttle
pense but nothing stirred. and he
glanced around the room.
BY the aid of the moonlight stream
ing through the window, the amateur
burglar discovered a safe in the corner
Of the room.
Another listening pause at the key
hole, then he was down on his knees.
and. producing a small crowbar from
under his coat, he prepared to make
his first attempt at the gentle are OF
rifling safes.
1t SAYS much for his power Of con-
oentration that. while he was so busilv
he did not notice the door
open and the venerable figure Of the
vicar himself walk into the room I'M
Ill that gentleman announced himself
with a discreet cough.
May I inquire the cause Of this-or
somewhat unconventional visit" he
inquired. covering Tomlins's kneeling /
figure with q revolver
Now had Tomlips forethought of |
his little interruption, the odds are !
hat he would have prepared a little -,
'Ocialistic speech for the occasion.
As it was, he could only try toNchoke |
Town his heart, which seemed to have /
found its way into the region |
# his throat, and murmer that he was
tut of work
And so you expect to find employ /
nent here in my study at / o'clock in |
he morning. Dear me-" politely COM
nented the parson, laying his hand on
he bell
But Tomlins was before him, and.
bringing to his feet, he caught the old
Gentleman by the sleeve
For the love of heaven, don't give
ne up. Think what you are doing. !
o wife and baby starving even now;
THAT will they do when I am put in
rison?"
That, my dear fellow, is quite your
wn concern. 1 presume you are in full
ossession OF your senses?"
It's the first time, sir: it really is"
erked out the one time drapery assist
Mt I've honestly done by best to get
decent living, but the world is against
le-there is no work"
Then Tomlfns crumpled up like a
ind deserted bladder, all the little
-rength hey possessed oozed out of his
mbs, and he sank at the wears L
.et
Now, get up, get up" he urged,
18th all the confidence of Il man who
as never missed a meal in, his life. III
&c what 1 can do for you. Come round |
ere tomorrow morning, and in the
eantime take this and get something |
0t to drink on the way home.
He assisted the man to rise, pressed
dollar into his hand and, opening the
udy door, he saw him out of the
;use in a more orthodox fashion than
lat in which he entered.
Returning to the study. the vicar
oked round and surveyed the safe by
lie light of a little pocket electric
mp.
All" he muttered to himself, had
been a few minutes later he would
I'VE probably deeamped with my little
-