The Washington herald., 1910-09-03

Npulu nave iudue a hardened mousse
BIZ -aker blush with shame, II a house
breaker can be accused Of such a weak
ness.
He had been quite a respectable mem
her OF the community. That is 20 say,
he and his little wife had managed TO
exist on SO week without having any
socialistic designs on other peoples prop
erty. But when the little Tomlins arrived
and demanded its share Of the weekly
finances. things began TO take a turn
Tomiins. the happy father. was a
drapery assistant: and. as every drapery
assistant knows. it is not the simplest
thing on earth TO keep a wife on SO a
week. and babies are quite out OF the
reckoning.
So Tomlins asked for a raise. which
was the most natural thing under the
circumstances.
Unhappiiy. however, managers Of subur-
ban drapery emporiums are more con-
cerned with increasing the company
dividends than the population.
You see. sir" explained Tomllns.
nervously. Il an married didn't tell
you before, thinking It wasn't necessary,
but now there's a baby. so an increase
in my money would be very much ap-
preciated"
oh you are married,sare you?' com
mented the pompous manager 'I-sup-
pose you are aware that it's against the
rules Of this establishment for assistants
to'marry? Instead Of giving you a raise,
am very much afraid we shall have 10
dispense with your services after Satur-
day next"
After six months unsuccessful search
for work Tomlins found plenty OF time
TO develop sociallstic tendencies. Two
thirds Of the furniture had gone to make
frewood or meet the inexorable demands
Of the tally mea; al the salable articles
sold, and all the pawnable articles pawn
ed: which explains why Tomlins was
creeping along IN the shadows Of a neigh
boring vicarage' at the gentle hour OF
midnight. 9
The fact that the scene OF his first
burglary should be a parsons residence
seems to stamp him at once as an ANA
teur. since reverend gentlemen have the
reputation OF being as poor as the pro-
verbal mice that haunt their churches.
This particular clergyman, however, the
Whereabouts OF whose study Tcmlins was
endeavoring % discover. had only that
evening been made the recipient OF a
purse OF $50 and a quantity OF silver
plate by an admiring and grateful parish,
to quote the local papers.
II troubled Tomlins little whether the
testimonial was deserved or not. Slowly
he located the position OF the study win
dow. and discovered that II was unfas-
tened. lie climbed cautiously on, on 10
the sill. raised the window. and descended
into the room, neatly alightng on a coal
seuttle.
A moments pause OF sickening sus-
pense; but nothing stirred, and he glanced
around the room
BY the aid OF the moonlight streaming
through the window. the amateur burglar
discovered a safe in the corner Of the
room.
Another listening pause at the keyhOle
then he was down on his knees. and. pro-
ducing a small crowbar from under his
coat, he prepared 20 make his first at
tempt at the gentle art Of rihing safes.
1t says much for his power Of conceu-
tratiOn that. while he was so busily en-
gagged. he did not notice the door open and
the venerable figure OF the vicar himself
walk into the room until that gentleman
announced himself with a discreet cough.
May I inquire the cause OF this-er-
somewhat unconventional visit?'' he said.
covering Tomlins' kneeling figure with a
revolver.
Now. had Tomlins forethought Of this
little interruption. the odds are that he
would have prepared a little socialistc
speech for the occasion. As II was, he
could only try TO choke down his heart,
which seemed to have suddenly found its
way into the region OF his throat. and
stammer that he was out Of work.
And so you expect to find employment
here In my study at 1 o'clock in the
morning? Dear me-" politely commented
the parson. laying his hand on the bell.
But Tomlins was before him. and.
springing 20 his feet, he caught the old
gentleman by the sleeve.
Fog the love OF Heaven, don't give me
up Think what you are doing. I've a
wife and baby starving even now. What
will they do when am put in PRISON."
That. my dear fellow. is quite your
own concern. I presume you are IN full
possession OF your senses?"
1T is the first time. sir; It really is"
jerked out the one-time drapery assistant
I've honestly done my best to get a de-
cent living. but the world is against me
there is no work"
Then Tomlins crumpled up Ike a wind
deserted bladder, all the little strength he
possessed Oozed out OF his limbs. and he
sank at the wears feet.
Now, get up. get up" he urged. with
all tho confidence OF a man who has never
missed a meal in his life. TN see what
I can do for you. Come round here to-
morrow morning, and IN the meantime
take this and get something hot TO drink
on theSway home"
He assisted the man to rise, pressed a
dollar into his hand and. opening the
study door. he saw him out OF the house
in more orthodox fashion than that IN
which he had entered
Returning to the study. the vicar looked
around and surveyed the safe by the
light Of little pocket electric lamp.
"Ah." he muttered to himself: had
beeE few minutes later he would have
probably decamped with my little testi-
monial"
christening the safe he took out the
bag containing the money. and placed it
in an inner pocket in his waistcoat
Then divesting himself Of his profess
s.onaI coat, he changed into a dark ulster
hanging over the back OF a chair, and
pulled a slouch hat over his head.
With short laugh he clambered on 10
the windowsill and dropped down into