Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-14
What 1 saw in a Mirror.

We live in quiet neighborhood in the ouiet
city of Brooklyn, and our domestic life has
with one exception, proved very uneyentfu
one. The exception was, however, a decided
adventure, OF very unpleasant character which
might have proved terrible experience. Fortu-
nately, came out of it unframed, though
shall not soon forget the episode. BROOKLYN
residents had been during the warm months
greatly alarmed by the unwelcome visits of
burglars, and nearly every day the newspapers
recorded fresh instances of the daring and adroit
operations of this class of thieves. Our neigh.
DOrhood had, however, so far escaped the atten-
tons of these depradatory gangs, and nv wife
was so very careful about her door and window
iastenings that we believed our little house to be
quite safe, 10 please mother | had purchased
revolver which was kept in a safe place in our
bedroom, though II was never used, and was ont
OF my reach when most needed.
have for years devoted an hour or two. after
the family retire, to perusing favorite Author
and on the night IN question was so occupied.
closely seated IN huge armchair, near the omen
sliding doors between the two parlors. was
making rapid progress in my reading The
house was wrapped in silence, and though the
many noises of the night were remarkably dis
tinct,yct they did not disturb me. The window
curtains moved idly as the night breezes came
in at the open window at my back, the mice
gamboled merrily behind the wainscoting, and
the clock Oh the mantelpiece licked loudly. as if
complaining at being compelled TO work while
everything else rested. The footsteps of passers-
by IN the street echoed strangely in the room,
and could now and then hear the faint cry of
an infant in the adjoining house
save Tor these noises, all else was silent about
me ana enjoyed my book as one can only do
under such circumstances. As the night air
played eoolly ON my check ! experienced a
sense Of calmness and security, which made tho
interruption so soon to occur only annear Tho
more startling. rf Wv
Having read for some time, came at lenotb
TO Il striking passage, which led me 10 Law Tho
volume on my knee TO think it over. AS / did
so my eye caught the reflection of myself in ths
large mirror standing between the windows Of
the front parlor. In the same mirror / could
also discern the mirror at my back, and in II
my armchair and figure were dimy visible. II
seemed odd TO thus view myself in two different
aspects, ana ieil INTO reyerie on the two pic
lures thus presented.
have forgotten TO say that the side door of
| the rear parlor was wide open, and the gasivht
| burning brightly. There was also nj nv hacL
and on line with the hall, small room, the
door of which was wide open. Indeed. il was
| seldom shut, having been badly bung and ,yos
constantly swinging wide open when not closely
latched. could sec the edge of this white door
IN the mirror before me, and il formed a distinct
feature in that reflected picture.
Sitting thus, was suddenly startled by tbe
unexpected appearance of another face, peering
| intently over my shoulder, while in the inner
| mirror could discern his back as he stood no.
hind the bathroom door. Though by no means
Il timid map, this appartion sent strange and
painful thrill through my body, and | felt very
uncomfortable indeed. The face of the in.
truder was sinister one, and he was apparently
watching me in no pleasant mood
He was burglar or sneak thieT-there
could be no question of that But how could
he have entered the house2 As sat there look
ing at my visitor for few seconds remember.
cd that my wife had been sorely troubled about
finding one Of the basement windows open,
though had paid very little attention to the
matter at the time. The fellow was evidently
responsible for that window. Even now can
recall the appearance of the scene before me, SO
wildly is ii impressed upon my mind. One Of
the sliding doors had been partially drawn from
its receptacle. thus throwing part of the front
room into shadow. ray of light, however, H..
lumined the centre Of the room. The Gilt bind.
ings on some books shone brightly, and one or
two pictures on the wall were clearly revealed.
But as saw all of these, the face of that strange
man continued to peer at me, and the situation
became quite dramatic in its intensity.
was apparently utterly helpless, being alone