Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-02-09

enough not only TO hear Cracks
story, but to examine his 'klt' Of
burglar and safe blowing tools.
Blessed fool that 1 was, to think that
two burglars were to take me to the
hiding place of another, and give me
all their secrets, knowing that might
blow on them in half an hour after.
But thought only of the item. AL
ready 1 could see long column
headed: ''Burglars and safe blow
ers. How they work-startling rev.
elations," etc, etc., and l cared
only for the item.
We went to the saloon where | had
met them in the afternoon, and Dave
went out and left me talking with his
companion. 1t was almost 1 O'Clock
before he came back, and then after
making a number excuses, he said
that everything was all right and that
we should proceed at once.
l was inclined to hang back now,
as the hour was so late, but l had not
the moral courage to back square
out, and passed up the street with
-tuesnc Ido not know how far We
walked. We passed up orfe~ street: street: :
down another, turned here and there,
and finally got lost. We got into
quarter of the city where l had never
been more than to ride through in q
carriage. l thought it odd that we
should look for "cracksman" in the
aristocratic portion Of the city, but
the men kept plying me with ques-
tions in regard to my profession, and
l had no opportunity to express my
doubts or surprise.
you've got your revolver OF
course?" inquired Dave, as we passed
along.
"No, l left it at the Office l re-
piled, but was sorry the next moment
that | had admitted the fact, as
Dave give his companion a sly nudge
with his elbow. New Orleans was
not we'll policed in those days. One
seldom saw blue coat off the busi-
ness streets either day or night. Had
we encountered one now, should
surely have left the burglars to con-
tinue on alone, as l had become ner-
vous and afraid. But we did no,
meet any pedestrians. The night
was cold and chilly, and at that late
hour most of the citizens were in bed
asleep.
"Here we are. Now walk softly
and keep your mouth shut" whis
pered Dave, as we entered an alley.
1t was quite dark, but. l coult
see that we were passing down be
tween the large residences, the abode'
Of wealthy men. Dave led the way
} and presently he halted at gate
unlocked it with key and in mo
. ment we were on the lawn in the rea
of one of the houses.
"Why, how's this? This isn't
''See here, mister reporter!'' sai'
Sam, whipping out long knife ant
/ catching me by the collar. "There'
/ no use fooling you any longer; yo
, have got to go in with us!''
Il won't do it! I'll shout if yo
don't let me go!" l replied.
! "You will, will you'll" Kissed Dave
) also displaying knife and fastenin
r his fingers on my arm. "lf 20
| want to die right away just raise on
: squeal!'
| was so weak that ! sat down o
s stone dog used as lawn orns
3 ment, and while Dave held me ther
a Sam pulled off my boots. He the
D removed his own, took off both ou
G hats, and then Dave continued:
"Sam and you are going into th
: house after swag and I'm going
e watch. If you make one cry, {
g try to hang back, I'll put this knit
into you. If you go to raise a
e alarm in the house Sam will kill yo
0 even if he has to swing for it!''
h 1t was nearly midnight now.
: could hear no sound from eith'
It quarter, and l knew that shout,
half a dozen of them, would NJ
g bring help before the fellows ha
y killed me. I had got to go in vii
h Sam or be murdered outside, and
h replied that l would go in. ha
1t strong hopes that we could net g
T. in. or that our operations would rai'
l. an alarm and scare the burgla
10 away. Sam signified that he wi
E. ready, and we all proceeded to tt
back steps.
* A yeranda ran clear across Il
S, rear end of the house which had
ie basement, and while Dave stood
" the foot of the stairs, Sam and
he mounted them. He first tried Il
t. door. 1t was locked, and he insert'
rs a pair of nippers into the key-hol
to A low oath escaped his lips, for Il
l kew had been removed, and he hi
G. no false ones.
lie Softly as a cat, he next tried O
of the windows, but that was fas
e. and another was tried with the SAL
r. result. Then his e.jimmy'' came
e. to play. Pulling the iron bar, whi
q. had claw at one end, from und
1t, his coat he inserted the claw und
nd the sash and gently bore down on t
a lover end, The sash went up lit