The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-24
BOWSER BUYS AN AUTOMATIC
And His Burglar Calls That Very Eve
ming.

ment at the gate and looked up and
down the street and across When
he entered the house he walked
through to the sitting room to one
of the back windows and peeked and
peered for a moment before stepping
back and exclaiming in a whisper:
There he is. just as 1 expected"
"Who is it?' asked Mrs. Bowser,
who had followed him.
IA burg1ar?'
How do you know?''
Il saw that man on the street car,
[ saw his hungry look as i took out
my wallet to get bill changed. He
got off the car when 1 did, and is now
spotting the house to see how he may
enter tonight -
II shouldn't worry about him." re-
piled Mrs. Bowser with a smile to
herself
m not worrying. I'd rather he
was a burglar. 1 hope he will try to
get in here tonight. L am fixed for
him. See this?''
And he drew forth an automatic
pistol which he had bought an hour
before, and exhibited it with great
pride and said:
Mrs. Bowser We have been at the
mercy of burglars for the last year.
We are at their mercy no longer. L
hold death for them in my hand
II haven't read or heard Of a burg
larry for weeks and weeks said Mrs.
BoWser.
them. and the scoundrels are still at
it. Many and many a night I have
woke with a feeling that an intruder
was in the house. but L went to sleep
again without alarming YOU.
There was no more talk on the sub
ject until after dinner and then Mr..
Bowser said:
Mrs. Bowser we must understand
each other about this burglar bust
ness. If there is a strange noise in
I0n bn1 l. l. -
l will poke you in the ribs with my e.
bow and gently whisper in your ear.
You must remember not to scream
out"
II see was the reply.
IF you are the first to wake, give
me a poke and whisper 'b-u-r-g-
lars? That will be enough for me.
L will spring out of bed, grasp my
automatic and fly downstairs and fill
somebody with lead. This is the pro-
gram and we must stick to it and not
get things mixed up"
But do you think L am going to re-
main up here while you hunt bur-
glar down stairs asked Mrs. Bow
ser.
''Of course you are You wouldn't
be idiot enough to follow down.
I'd follow of course!''
But what could you do?'
IF l found that a burglar had you
down on the floor and was choking
I y
hair and pull him off,
''Humph? You would stay right up
here until [ came up and informed
you that the burglar was as dead as a
door nail. The matter is all settled,
and we need talk about it no longer"
| Mrs Bowser hadn't been made at
all nervous by the talk. and she had
no fear as she fell asleep. Soon after
midnight, however, she found herself
sitting up in bed and listening with
all her might to some noise on the
next floor down. 1t came again and
again and after two or three minutes
she made up her mind that burglar
was prying UP a window. She took
the end of Mr.. Bowser's nose between
her thumb and finger. and then whis-
pered the magic word in his ear He
grunted. She whispered again, He
sat up and yawned.
Il think there is a burglar in the
house?' she whispered.
Mr.. Bowser made a move as he
would fall back on his pillow and COW
er up his head, but checked himself
and asked:
| What have you heard 2"
Some is prying up a window
1T is probably some noise on the
street.
But you will go down and investi-
gate?''
Il don't see the need of it, said Mr.
Bowser after a hesitation lasting thirty
seconds. Probably you had a touch
| OF nightmare out IL you near noises
again give me another call"
| Mrs. Bowser was out of bed in thirty
seconds. and feeling for the automatic
under his pillow.
| Here. what are you going to do ?'
! he asked.
Il am going down and shoot that
burglar, if there is one replied Mrs.
| BowSer.
| He swung his legs off the bed, took
the pistol from her hand and as she
turned up the light he started for the
door. He paused three times in going
ten feet, and as he laid his hand on
| the door knob he asked:
| Suppose there is more than one of
| them ?''
all"
Mrs Bowsar followed him to the
| head of the stairs and he did not OBJ
| ject in the least. All was silent and
| darkness below, and the bravest gem