Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-05-30
A
DONATION
Bv OLIVER ]. LARNED

silk stocking like you would soon be
taken. You wouldn't have the coolness
to save yourself.
IL wouldn't mind trying it just once"
"I'll give you an inducement. I'll bet
you a 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 90 you."
Here's my check. Well put the
stakes in Hawkins hands"
This dialogue occurred between Dick
Thurston and Ned Chamberlin at
club. and the next night Chamberlin in
evening dress sailed forth to burglar
ize gentlemans dwelling. He walked
slowly up an aristOcratlc avenue. ana,
selecting a house midway between two
street lamps and standing well back in
shadow. he entered the yarC 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 a side porch, ne pried up a
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 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.
Chamberliu 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.
Il beg pardon for the treSpass," he
said, but am sure-that Is, If you are
woman of the world shall have
your sympathy after you have heard
the reason for my being here. Last
night at the - club | bet friend
a hundred dollars that | would bur-
glarize dwelling, bringing him some
stolen article to prove the robbery
If you will permit me to take away a
spoon | will 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 mood.
wink whoever they may meet. She
pretended to believe his story and, go
ing to a sdeboard. opened a dra wer and
took out silver spoon with the family
initial letter on it 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 pang at having caused her an.
noyance. So instead of going at once
he stopped to reassure her. Taking a
card from his pocket and pencil,
be asked her to what institution he
should send a donation. She was not
especially interested in any and for a
moment could not think of any While
she was trying to do so an elderly
gentleman, with gray mustache, step
| ped into the room.
The girl turned paler still. If that
were possible, fearing that the story
would not go down with the new.
conner and there would be trouble.
Uncle" she said. this gentleman
has made bet that he would rob this
house"
Indeed" said the uncle quietly.
"Ies, at the - club. He is to win
500 and give it to any charity | may
suggest"
"A hundred dollars! That's no price
for gentleman burglar to pay for the
privilege of robbing house. He
might have got away with $1,000 or
$4,000 worth of property. Couldn't
you make it $1,000, slr?"
Chamberlin was very rich. but rich
men don't like to part with their mon.
ey any better than poor men. He said
he might double the amount of his
winnings. The gentleman stepped to
telephone in the hall and called for
police station.
ChamberliD was cornered. He called
out that he would make his donation
$1,000.
IL have called the police" said the
gentleman; lit will now cost $1,000"
"Done! cried Chamberlin, fearing
that before he could assent the price
Of his experiment would go up another
thousand.
"All right" remarked the gentleman.
Never mind the police. Have you a
blank check In your pocket. sir? II
so please make the amount payable to
st. Luke's hospital"
Chamberin, who carried check
book always with him. wrote a check