The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-27
a Thanksgiving Burglar
WILLIAM RENIcK SMITH, Of Dallas, Te1as

Crash! Crashg The chatter of dishes
was simply awful, and the twelve
gave vent to their fright by addi-
tionai screa ming. Judith had been re-
vived, and she rose from her chair.
the color from her cheeks gone, and
a ghostly pallor appeared in its stead.
A stern look of determination was on
her countenance that BODIED nobody
any good
Stepping to the front, Mrs. Taylor,
with wave OF her hand. commanded
silence. Follow me, and we will all
die together" she exclaimed to the
shivering group of lingerie about her.
Are you. ready" Each rushed for
some manner of, weapon, some to the
dresser for pincushions some seized
hatpins, another wooden yard stick.
still anothe? wrenched a tennis racket
from the wall while a few grabbed
pillows from the beds and still others
managed to find their shoes and
parasols. Judith ran for the tongs
and poker. which hung beside the
fireplace. A chilly gust of wind
swept through the hallway. causing
repeated shivers to sway the feminine
forms in white, as the impromptu
band of defenders reached the stair
way landing. Mrs Taylor stood erect,
Judith with poker and tongs, and
following her in awkward squad,
came the members OF the house party,
brandishing fearfully every conceiv-
able character of weapon.
Crash, Crash, Other screams. Two
of the fair warriors. faltered and
then fell 10 the floor in a swoon.
while their comrades courageously
followed in the wake of their brave
leader, urging her on to victory. The
door of the buffers pantry had now
been gained by the advancing forces.
But, who was to open this door? Even
the audacious captain here ffinched.
and looked askance at her troops,
signalling for volunteer. Silence
reigned supreme, but only for a mo-
ment. The sentinel of the night, the
old clock on the stair sang out ESQ.
but still the question as to who would
open fire hung In the balance. Judith.
pushing by the eth-chattering. hest
tating group. stood before her aunt
an instant. then quickly seizins the
pistol. boldly opened the door. AS ii
swung back on its hinges. there was
painful pause. What was il that
met the gaze OF the besiegers? The
table cloth had been dragged from
the shelf, and broken dishes were
scattered In heap on the floor. Not
even a aign of the presence of a
member OF the male persuasion. Then,
what had caused all this hullabaloo?
Not a chair had been, upset and not
even rug disturbed.
Follow me, be not afraid. / will
protect YOU" disdainfully exclaimed
our heroine, and she fearlessly and
resolutely entered the room. But 1t
was not necessary 10 make further
investigation for there before the
assembled army, peacefully lying on
a small rug. lay Don, the Scotch
collie. contentedly devouring the few
remaining bones of the Thanksgiving
gobbler, He had been overlooked by
the butler in the midst of the gaiety,
and had attempted TO satisfy the
pangs OF hunger by pushing open the
pantry door and helping himself to
the residue Of the repast. and that he
had succeeded. all were ready to tes-
tify. The imprint of the canine
paws were upon the damask cloth.
So this Is the f-e-r-o-c-i-o-u-s
b-u-r-g-I-a-r.' came in a chorus of
voices. but the tones were Historically
uttered. and followed by numerous
signs Of relief. Then came another
painful silence. as Judith quietly re-
turned the pistol to her aunt, who
led the way from the field OF battle
to the realms CT dreamland. All were
again assembled in the upper hall,
each convulsed with laughter, and for
moment Mrs. Taylor made no at
tempt to restore order. What would
have occurred IL Colonel Taylor hal
appeared on the scene at that ridicu-
lous climax? Or. for instance. IL some
of their young men admirers should
ever hear OF 1t? Danish the thought.
1T was truly amusing 10 hear the