River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-12-25

the only thing worth while Why, all
you've got to do is to walk in after
the lights are out, take your pick. and
walk out again. But say, don't cawy
gun, foF that don't pay Just trust
to your legs if you have to get away
quick"
A middle-aged man in a well-made
suit, and bearing all the marks of
prosperity, hurried by, not casting a
glance at the ex-convict at his feet.
Graves rose and followed him. At the
end OF the street was a long country
lane. with finely built, scattered houses
lining it. each in it's garden The man
turned into one and let himself into
the home with key. Graves watched
him. Then he felt in his pockets. At
the bottom of one, hitherto overlooked
by him, was a dime. Graves knew
where he could get all the whisky he
wanted for a dime-if he chose the
time when the bartender was not
looking his way He went there.
Take your fill, boy" said the bar
tender gOod-naturedly, looking round
just at the least appropriate time Il
guess you need it on a night like this
And it's New Years eve" he added
Il guess this'll be your last drink for
while, eh?'
Graves tossed off the fiery liquid
set down the glass. and went out.
New Years eve! He had not thought
of that. This was the evening for
making good resolutions. The record
ing angel was writing the title at the
head Of a new page of life. What
record would his page show this time
next year?
He walked the streets until his head
swan from the liquor. 1t was very
dark and the rain fell steadily. Graves
was wet to the skin He walked an
Unreasonable time, until at last, look
ing up, he saw the house into which
the prosperous man had entered.
A fame of anger burned in his
heart, hotter than the fire in his brains.
Good resolutions! What were they
for such as he? They were for the
rich, for those who could afford to
keep the laws! He was no fool to be
bound by such code
He crept up the garden, felt a lower
window, and found that he could raise
it. a minute later he was cropping in
side a dining room
Cautiously he struck and lit
match. Then he gasped in astonish-
ment. For on the buffet, careIessly
laid out, was galaxy of silver plate.
That central piece-that flat tray,
which he could put under his coat
and walk away with must be worth
couple of hundred dollars alone,
He would take it on his way out. lie
opened the door and crept upstairs.
There were two rooms at the head
of the first flight. The door of one
was closed; the second door was open.
and inside, by che light of the lowered
gas jet, Graves could see a table
strewn with rings lie crept in and
stood staring at them There were
nearly a dozen of them-diamond
pearl, sapphire, cats eye, flashing
emeralds and rubies. 1t was the dress
ing table of some wealthy woman
who. -.
There was somebody in the bed,
An old, white-haired woman who lay
there. hardly breathing, fat, with
white hands picking at the bed covers!
Graves snatcaed UP handful of the
baubles and turned. Suddenly two
powerful arms caught him as in wise
and he looked up into the face of the
middle-aged man.
Come outside, you-you dog!"
whispered the other. Caught in the
act, you dirty sneak-thief! Let me
look at your face! So you would rob
dying woman, would you? I'm 60
ing to strip the hide off you before |
call the police"
Il didn't know" Graves babbled.
A feeble voice from the sick bed
made both start