XXX 
THE BURGLAR MAN. 
Not very long after mistress’ return one evening 
just after dark a big burglar man came into our 
house. I knew he was a burglar because he crawled 
in through the window, and he went into all the 
rooms. Budge was terribly afraid of him and hid 
himself under the ice-chest ; but Toddy and I fol- 
lowed him up-stairs to see what he would do. First 
he pulled down all the shades, then lighted a little 
lamp which he carried, and opened the closets and 
drawers, and mistress’ trunk. He was just about 
to do up some of mistress’ most beautiful dresses 
into a bundle, when I heard the sound of three very 
loud whistles on the outside. At this the man in- 
stantly dropped everything and rushed down-stairs ; 
and just as he was running out of the back door, 
Bettie came in at the side. 
I did so wish I was big enough to grab him like 
Beautiful Joe did old Jenkins, and hold unto him 
till she could catch him. But being only a cat, of 
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