The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-03-16


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 eleven O'Clock
before he came back, and then, after
making many excuses, he stated that
everything was all right and that We
should proceed at once.
was inclined to hang back now, as
the hour was so late, but ] had not the
moral courage to back square out, and
passed up the street with them. / do
not know how far we walked. We passed
up one street, down another, turned
here and there. and I finally got lost.
We got into quarter of the city where
[ had never been more than to ride
through in a carriage. l thought it odd
that we should look for ''cracksman"
in the aristocratic quarter 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, I left it at the Office" I replied,
but was next moment sorry that [ had
admitted the fact, as L saw Dave give
his companion sly nudge with his
elbow. New Orleans was not well polio
ed in those days. One seldom saw a
blue coat off the business street either
day or night. Had we encountered one
now, 1 should surely have left the burg
lars to continue On alone, as had be-
come nervous and afraid. But we did
not even meet any pedestrians. The
night was cold and chilly, and at that
late hour most of our citizens were in
bed.
"Here we are! Now walk softly, and
keep your mouth shut" whispered Dave,
as we entered an ally.
1t was quite dark, but could see that
we were passing down between the large
residences, the abodes of wealthy men.
Dave led the way, and he presently halted
at gate, unlocked it with key, and in
a moment we were on the lawn in the
rear of one OF the houses.
"Why, how's this2 This isn't"
"See here, mister reporter!' whispered
Sam, whipping out long knife and
catching me by the collar. "There's no
use fooling any longer; you've got to go
in with u.s."
81 won't do it! I'll shout if you don't
let me go.'' I replied.
"You will. will you2" hissed Dave.
also displaying knife, and fastening
his fingers on my arm. eff you want to
die right away just raise one squeal!'
was SO weak that I sat down on a
stone dog used as lawn ornament, and
while Dave held me there Sam pulled
off my boots. He then removed his own,
took off both of our hats, and then Dave
continued:
''Sam and you are going into the
house after swag, and I'm going to
watch. If you make one cry, or hang
back, I'll put this knife into you. If
you go to raise an alarm in the house,
Sam will kill you, even if he has to
swing for it!''
1t was nearly midnight now. I could
hear no sound from either quarter, and
! knew that shout, OF half dozen of
them, would not bring help before the
fellows had killed me. I had got to go
with Sam or be murdered outside, and 1
replied that L would go in. / had strong
hopes that we could not get in, or that
our operations would raise an alarm and
scare the burglars away. Sam signifed
that he was ready, and we all proceeded
to the back steps.
A veranda ran clear across the rear
end of the house, which had basement,
and while Dave stood at the foot of the
stairs, Sam and [ mounted them. He
first tried the door. It was locked, and
he inserted pair of nippers into the
key hole. A low oath escaped his lips,
for the key had been removed, and he
had no false ones.
Softly as cat, he next tried one of
the windows, but that was fast, and
another was tried with the same result
Then his Jimmy" came into play. Pull
ling the iron bar, which had ''claw"
at one end, from under bis coat. he
inserted the "claw" under the sash and
gently bore down on the lever end. The
sash went up little, making scarcely
any noise, and in two minutes the nail
which held it down had given way. Had
there been a spring in the sash, he could
not have raised it without alarm.
With his hands he raised the sash to
its full height, slipped something between
it and the casing, to prevent fall, and
he then turned to me and whispered:
"We are going in now. If you try to
play dirt on me, I'll murder you, if it's
the last thing I ever dol'
There was no escape and followed
him in over the sill, hoping every mo
ment to hear sounds to show that the
people had been alarmed. We had en-
tered sewing room. A machine stood
in one corner, and several half finished
garments were lying on chairs. I saw
this only after Sam had opened his dark
lantern. We moved softly to the door
leading out, and l watched him as be
opened it. Although was close beside
the door, I heard no sound as he turned
the knob. When he knew the bolt was
free from its catch, he lifted up on the
door, SO that it should not squeak, and
In moment we were in a sitting room.