The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-07-31
A Thousand
Dollar Wager
By NJ. QUAD
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
By M. QUAD

1t was a drixziy. foggy night lnte Il
spring II was a good night TO be in
doors, for the fog and drtssle penetrat
ed and made one shiver In wraps ant
overcoats
Three or four members OF a certain
club sat In group In the smoking room
and every one remarked that IL wa;
good to be there. Finally, after ST
lence, one of the group observed:
1T VIII be a good night for burgian
and holdup men"
The observation elected various re
plies, among which was one from
Arthur Devery to the effect that al
talk about burglars made him very
weary. They were looked upon by
most people as something Of heroes
but. In his opinion, they were very com
mon men. He said they take care to
enter houses at a time when they are
pretty safe.
Gentlemen" he said, II win wager
thousand dollars that ! feloniously
enter some strangers residence to-
night and bring yon proof that com
mitted burglary"
I'VE will take the betr' exclaimed
all the others In chorus. And you
might as well admit that you have lost
the money thus early in the game"
"will some of you name the resi-
denceY' quietly asked Mr.. Devery.
Yes, | WILL" replied one, ~ shall
demand that you enter the house of
Judge Benson, which perhaps you
know h at the corner Of Clay and Lar
kins streets. You have doubtless pass
ed It hundred times. 1t Is fine
house and has fine grounds around it.
The family consists of the judge and
his wife and daughter. You have, no
doubt, often met the daughter at social
functions"
I'VE WIN be ready to take your word
for It, Arthur but 1t will be better for
accomplish your nlissdon. On the man
tel IN the library Is small idol carved
out Of ivory. 1t is not so large but you
can easily put It In your pocket, 1t is
to the left Of the clock as you face the
mantel You shall bring us that idol
and your wager win be won"
1t was q sort Of fate that on this par
ticular evening Judge Benson was call
ed out, his wife was taken with head
ache and retired to her room upstairs, |
and Miss Clara was left free TO en-
sconce herself In the easiest chair and
select the most entertaining book.
Time flies while one Ii reading. You
may be dimiy conscious Of hearing the
clock strike the hour, but 1t does not
fully rouse you. Miss Clara Benson |
had reached tho middle Of the most in
teresting chapter In her book when the
clock on the nantel announced that II
was midnight. Her father was to be
expected at any moment, and she
would wait for hh coming
Five minutes after midnight, and
then a slight noise at the other end of
the table caused the young lady to look
up. What she beheld there was a
good looking man with q
smile on bis face. For a moment Miss
Clara wondered II be were a late call.
Or or a guest Of the house whose pres
snce WIS unknown to her before. She
was still trying to puzzle It out when
he intruder said:
IT came In by the kitchen window
Il Is amazing how careless servants
ire. They are to blame for most OF
he burgiar1es."
''Then-then you are burglar"
whispered the girl
That is the name you must give
ne" replied the young man, "as have
'fected a burglarious entrance. BY the
way. VIII take this along with me"
He passed around the table and to ,
be mantel, and, lifting up the idol, he !
deposited It IN a oest pocket.
Are you going te make me bring you ,
~ jewelsf" :
IF you have a thousand dollars han !
Y win take It along"
But there isn't $1,000 in the house
don't believe father has fifty, and I ,
ertainly know that haven't even ten. .
re you the Mr.. Rafies we have read :
D moch about in the papersT" .
you might call me by that name
res the answer. "As your father may
e In soon I VIII take my departure
ow. I VIII leave the WINDOW up rs ] o
o out, and you had better call your :
ather's attention to this tempting wav =
another burglary. / bid you good r
Teuing. Miss-Miss-er-
Re bowed Ike a gentleman and was
Dne ike a ghost.
When her father returned she told
Pr story. and Il was not for a dizni- q
"a Judge to get excited over It BE A