The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-20
A
DONATION
BY OLIVER ]. LARNED

| all that? I'd Ike TO gee you try it A
silk stocking like you would soon be
taken. You wouldn't have the GOODNESS
to save yourself"
II wouldn't mind trying 1t just once"
"I'll give you an inducement. I'll bet
you hundred you won't go into the
house of some eminently respectable
family-whom you don't know. mind
you-and rob them of some article"
''That's just the kind of job I'd like
to try. The danger in it would make it
fearfully interesting"
And If you got caught it would give
you an excellent opportunity to show
your presence Of mind"
$50 it would. think I'll 60 you"
Here's my check. Wen put the
stakes in Hawkins hands"
This dialogue occurred between Dick
Thurston and Ned Chamberlin at a
club, and the next night Chamberlin in
evening dress sailed forth to burglar
lie a gentleman's dwelling. He walked
slowly up an aristocratic avenue. and.
street lamps and standing well back in
shadow, he entered the yard and. TAX
ing the parts of burglars jimmy from
his side pocket, began to screw them
together in order to secure the length
of handle required for leverage. Then.
mounting side porch. he pried up
window and entered room.
He stood listening for awhile, but,
hearing no sound, began to explore. A
faint light from without barely en-
abled him to move without stumbling
against anything, and he got his hand
on large uncovered table. Suspect
ing he was in drawing room, he was
hunting for the sideboard, when there
was a sudden burst Of light. A young
lady stood at the door of the room,
with her finger on an electric button.
She appeared astonished. not at find
ing some one in the room, but some
one in evening costume.
Chamberlin braced himself for the
encounter. 1t was his right, under the
provisions OF the bet, to tell any story
he pleased. and he decided to tell the
true one.
II beg pardon for the trespass," he
said, but am sure-that is, If you are
woman of the world-I shall have
your sympathy after you have heard
the reason for my being here. Last
night at the - club bet a friend
hundred dollars that l would bur-
glarize a dwelling, bringing him some
stolen article to prove the robbery.
II you will permit me to take away a
spoon / win be happy to donate my
winnings to any charity you may
suggest"
The girl by this time had regained
her composure. for Chamberlin spoke
softly and did not seem one TO be
afraid of. Nevertheless she consider
ed him TO be one of those villains who
dress themselves like gentlemen for
the purpose of aiding them to hood |
wink whoever they may meet. She
pretended 10 believe his story and, go.
ing to a sideboard. opened drawer and |
took out silver spoon with the family |
initial letter on 1t. This she tossed |
on the dining table and stood waiting
for him to withdraw. He saw by the
pallor on her face and other signs
that she was badly frightened. and he
felt a pang at having caused her an
noysnce. So instead Of going at once
be stopped to reassure her. Taking a
card from his pocket and a pencil,
oclrad hAr ~ vuhat institution ha
should send a donation. She was not
interested in any and for
moment could not think Of any. While
'he was trying to do so an elderly
gentleman. with gray mustache. step
ped into the room.
The girl turned paler still. IL that
we're possible. fearing that the story :,
would not go down with the new I
omer and there would be trouble. i
Uncle" she said. this gentleman i
las made a bet that he would rob this 5
Iouse."
..Indeedr' said the uncle quietly. I
Eyes. at the - club. He is TO win
100 and give 1t to any charity / may
uggest." i
"A hundred dollarsi That's no price I
or gentleman burglar to pay for the t
rivilege of robbing house. He
1ight have got away with $1,000 or p
5000 worth of property. Couldn't t
on make It $1,000, slr?"
Chamberiln was very rich. but rich =
len don't like to part with their mon y
Y any better than poor men. He said r
e might double the amount of his n
innings. The gentleman stepped TO o
telephone In the hall and called for t.
police station. h
ChamberlIn was cornered. He called a
ut that he would make his donation Z
1000. q
81 have called the police" said the =,
lit will now cost $1,000 \,
"Donew cried Cfamberlin. fearing b,
lat before be could assent the price al
his experiment would so up another al
ousand.
"All right" remarked the gentleman. OF
Never mind the police. Have you a ~
ank check In your pocket. sir? If 81
please make the amount payable to he
Luke's hospital" te
who carried a check st
ok always with him. wrote check in
r $1,000 and handed it to the gen co
.man. who took IL and said: ru
~ wendoln this Is Mr. Cha herlin y