Year: 1862

q house In the heart OF the nourlsnlng
town.


knew the old house and all its sur
so well, however, in spite of al
terations, that l could not be at fault.


I was in the very street at last and in
front of the house which held my good
father and sister.


As was about to ascend the steps and
enter the house legitimately by the front
door, l saw that the dining-room win
dows, which opened on. the green before
the house, were wide open, and the bright
lights within the room shone on the out
spread table, just as the family had left
it after the evening meal.


"They must have had company"
thought I, for the table had evidently
been laid for number of persons, and
the massive spoons and shining silver tea
service lay temptingly open to the hands
of every passing thief la


A brilliant thought flashed upon my
mind. "a double surprise" thought l /;
and l no sooner thought than acted.


Springing at one bound through one
of the open windows, l gathered as has
tily as possible, spoons and whatever of
the massive plate could, determining to
make my way up stairs, and into the
drawing-room, before any of the family
saw me, and present my sister with my
own presence and her silver at the same
time.


Just as 1 was about to open the door of
the dining-room, my eyes glanced upon the
name engraved upon the silver" Liver
more"


l started like criminal. While it
flashed through me like a shock of light
ming that my father, though man Of
means, had never manifested any great
love of silver, and had never owned any
plate except the old-fashioned spoons and
tea-service which had been handed down
from generation to generation, it also oc-
CURED to me for dead certainty that ]
had walked up the wrong passenger :" in
short, that I was in fix, and decidedly
in the wrong house.


AS this truth glanced rapidly through
my mind I was engaged in replacing the
silver previous to my making my exit il
the same way | had entered.


But alas for human calculation Be
fore I had Invested my pockets Of hal
their contents, the door opened and shu
with a bang, giving me a glimpse of
servant-maid half terrified out Of he
wits.


Scream followed scream, then clatte
like tramp of horses. I made for tn
window, but one of the shutters had al
ready closed with bang, and in the sam
way the rest were closed as if by magic
/ A friendly side door stood invitingl,
open. I made my way through it and "
a private staircase. The next moment
found myself in the snug library adjoin
ling the brilliantly lighted room.


heard steps approaching, and, dart
ing behind the shelter of the ample drapc
ry which curtained the window, l hat
only time to conceal myself, when voice
in the apartment made me aware / hat
been known too quick in my operations


After little l was left alone, and nov
| had time and food for reflection.


Suppose / were caught--the silver &C
tually in my possession; the proof wa
Notwithstanding even my father
name, well and favorably known, coul'
not shield me. / was we'll known, toe
but as wild, reckless blade, and to man.
the probability that l had added house
breaking to my other lawless accomplish
ments, might be easily supposable. .rd
Determining to put the best possibl
face on the matter in case of being caugh
l remained almost breathless in my hid
ing place. 9a' 'i'I 'a.
Presently by the hum Of voices | coul'
J hear that the drawing rooms began to fill
and grew nervous, restless; and longe,
to rush out in the midst Of all and &c
knowledge who l was, and the reason o
, my being there under such suspicious Gil
! | IL. n - " -.