The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-10-26
Torr1rny's
Burglar

Burglar
Copyright. 1870. bv Doubleday. Page
q Co.. published bV special ar
ran0emeHf tc,fh the wheeler sys-
dicafe. frc.
Al 10 o'clock p, IN. Felicia. the
maid. left by the basement door with
tho policeman Co get a raspberry
phosphate around the corner. She
deteatcd tho policeman and objected
earnestly 60 the arrangement. Hhs
pointed out. not unreasonahly. that
she might have been allowed TO fall
anlocp over one Of ~. George itath
bones novels on the third floor, but
nhe was oycrrulcd. IiaHpberrics and
cops were not created for nothing.
The burglar got into the house
without much difficulty. because we
must have action and not too much
description In "A, 2.ooo'~ord story.
In the dining room he opened the
slide Of his dark lantern. With a
brace and centcrhit he began TO borc
into the lock OF the silver closet
Suddenly n click was heard. The
room was flooded with electric light
The dark velvet portierrs parted Ia
admit a fair haired boy OF 1 Ia pink
paJatnas. bearing bottle Of olive oil
In his hand.
Are you a burKiar1- he asked. In
a nwra,. childish voice.
81. ~.
man. In n hoarHe voice. Am I a
burglar wot do YOU suppose have
three days growth 81 brsstiy beard
on my face for and cap with
napaf Give mo the oil. quick. and
let mo grease the hii. no won't
wake up your mamma. who IL lying
down with a headache. and left you
in charge o. Felicia. who has been
saiihiens Go her trust
"oh. dear said Tommy. with a
SIGH. Il thought you would be more
IN todatc THIS oil ~ for the salad
WHOM bring lunch from the pantry
for you. And mamma and pap.,
have gone TO the Metropolitan 90
hear De flenrko. iiut tina; Isn't my
fault. II only shows how long tho
story has been knocking around
among the editors II tho author
had been wise he'd have changed u
TO CAruso In the proofs
lie quiet" Missed tho burglar. I'M
der his breath. III you raise an
alarm IN wiring your neck like a
rnbbit'n~
Like ehlcken's.- corrected
Tommy.
~You had that wrong. You dont
wiring rabbits necks."
Aren't you afraid Of msr- asked
tho burglar.
You know I'm not answered
Tommy. Don't you suppose I know
fact from fiction. II this WASH; a
story I'd yell like an Indian whrn !
saw you. and you'd probably tumble
downstairs and svs plnehed ON the
sidewalk
Il see.- raid the burglar. that
your. on 10 your job. Go on with
tho performance
Tommy seated himself In an arm
chair and drew his toes up under
him
why DO you so around robbtnE
strangers. AFR. Burglar Have you
no friendHf"
Il see wha, you're driving at said
the burglar. with dark frowu. Its
the same old story. Your innocrnce
and childish lnpouclanc. In going 20
lead me back into an honest life.
Every time I crack a crib where
there's a Md around. !, happens
would you mind gazing with
wuifiah eyca AT the plate Of cold beef
that the butler has ief; on the dining
,able7- said Tommy. I'm afraid rs
growing iaie.-
The burglar accommodated.
Poor man" said Tommy You
must be hungry. II you viii please
stand in a llstiess attitude I will got
you something to cat
Tho boy brought roast chicken.
a jar ~ marfnaiadc and bottle OF
vino from the pantry. The burglar
seized a knife and fork suIleniy.
Its only an hour he grumblcf.
since had n lobster and pin, OF
musty aio Up bn broadway. ! wish
these story writers would let fellow
have popsin tablet. anyhow. be-
tween feeds"
My papa writes books.- remarked
Tommy.
Tho burglar jumped to his feet
quickly.
You said he had gone 10 the
opera" hs Missed. hoarnciy and with
Immediate suspicion.
Il ought 10 have explained said
Tommy. He didn't buy tickets" The
burglar sat again and toyed with the
wishbone.
Why do you burrie housea7" ask.
ed the boy. wonderingiy.
because" replied the burglar. with
a sudden fiow OF tears. God bless
my little brown.haircd boy Bessie a,
home"
"Ah." said Tommy. wriniSiIng his
nose. you got that answer In tho
wrong place. You want 20 tell your
hard luck story before you pull out
the child stop"
"Oh. yes" said the burglar, II for.
got Well. once lived In Milwnti-
kee, and -"
Take the silver said Tommy,
rising from his chsir.
Hold on" said the burglar. but
! moved away. could find no other
For a while I MANAGED
TO support my wife and child by
passing confederate money, but. alas,
! was forced 10 give that up because
II did not belong to the union. be-
came desperate and a burglar"
Have you ever fallen into the
hands of the police7" asked Tommy.
II said burglar. not bcggar."
answered the craftsman.
After you finish your lunch" said
Tommy. and experience the usual
OF heart. how shall we wind
up the story7"
"lupDoae aaid tbo b,,r vI.x