Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-09-18
THE BURGLARS GHOST.

! am not an imaginative man, and no
one who knows me can say that / have
ever INDUCED in sentimental ideas upon
any subject. ] am rather predisposed in
fact, to look mt everything from purely
practical standpoint, and elis quality has
been further developed in me by the fact
that for twenty years have been an active
member of the detective police force at
Westford, large town in one of our most
important manufacturing districts. A po-
liceman, as most people will readily be-
lieve, has to deal with so much practical
life that he has small opportunity for de
veloping other than practical qualities,
and he is more apt to believe in tangible
things than in ideas of somewhat super
stitious nature. However, | was once I'M
der the firm conviction that | had been
largely helped up the ladder Of life by the
ghost of a once well known burglar.
have told the story to many, and have
heard it commented upon in vatious fash
ions. Whether the comments were satiri-
cal or practical. it made no difference to
me; had a firm faith at that time in the
truth of my tale
Eighteen years ago | was plain clothes
officer at WestiOrd. ! was then twenty
three years of age, and very anxious about
TWO matters. FIRST and foremost desired
promotion; second, wished to be married.
OF course ! was more eager about the sec
ond than the first. because my sweetheart,
Alice Moore was one of the prettiest and
Cleverest girls in the town. but | put pro-
motion first for the simple reason that
with me promotion must come before mar
Eiage. Knowing this, was always on the
lookout for a chance of distinguishing my
self, and paid such attention to my duties
that my superiors began to notice me, and
foretold "a successful career for me in the
future.
One evening In the last week of Septem-
Der, 1873, ! was sitting in my lodgings
wondering what | could do to earn the
promotion which so earnestly wished for.
Things were quiet just then in Westford,
and am afraid half wished that some
thing dreadful might occur if only could
have a share in it. was pursuing this
train of thought when suddenly heard a
voice say, Good evening, officer"
turned sharply around. 1t was almost
dusk and my lamp was not lighted For
all that, could see clearly enough man
who was sitting by a chest of drawers that
stood between the door and the window
Bis chair stood between the drawers and
the door, and ] concluded that he had
quietly entered my room and seated him
self before addressing me.
Good evening"" replied. 81 didn't
hear you come in"
he laughed when | said that-a low,
cbuckling, rather sly laugh. mo" he said
81 dessay not officer Pm very quiet sort
Of person You might say, in fact-noise-
les Just so.
looked at him narrowly, feeling con-
siderably surprised and astonished at his
presence. He was thickly built man, with
a square face and heavy chin. His nose was
small, but aggressive, his eyes were little
and overshadowed by heavy eyebrows; |
could see them twinkle when he spoke. As
for his dress, il was in keeping with his face
lie wore a rough suit of wooden or
frleze; thick, gayly colored Becher neck
erchief encrcled his bull like throat, and
IN his big hands he continually twrled and
twisted fur cap, made apparently out of
The skin of some favorite dog. AS he sat
there smiling at me and saying nothing, it
made me feel uncomfortable
What do you want with me?" asked
Just little matter O. business" he an
swered
You should have gone to the Office"
said. Were not supposed to do business
at home"
Right you are, guv'nor," he replied;
"but wanted to see you It's you that s
got to do my job. If I'd ha' seen the super
intendent he might ha' put somebody else
on to it. That wouldn't ha' suited me.
You see, officer you're young, and nat'ral-
ly eager like for promotion. EhY"
What is it you want'" inquired again.
'Ain't you eager to be promotedi" he
reiterated. "Ain't you, now, officerY"
saw no reason why | should conceal
the fact, even from this strange visitor.
admitted that was eager for promotion.
Abr he said with a satisfied smile;
I'm glad o that. lrll make you all the
keener. Now, officer, you listen to me.
I'm a-goin to put you on to "A nice little
job. All dessay you'll be a sergeant be-
fore long, you will You'll be compliment.
ri and praised for your clever conduck in
This ere affair Mark my words if you
amt"
"Out with it," said, fancying | saw
through the mans meaning. YOU'RE go
ing to split on some of your pals suppose
and you'll want a reward"
He shook his heak. "A reward" he said
wouldn't be no use to me at all-no, moi
II it was a thousand pounds. No, it amt
nothing to do with reward But now
officer, did you ever hear of Light Toed
Jimf"
Light Toed Jiml | should have been G
poor detective if had not. Why, the mar
known unuer Jnat SODrlQueC was one o.
the cleverest burglars and thieves in Eng
land, and had enjoyed such a famous career
that his name was a household word. Al
that moment there was an additional 4;
terest attached to him. He had been con
victed Of burglary at the Northminste
asszes in 1871, and sentenced TO ten years
penal servitude. After serving nearly tw,
years of his time he had escaped from
Portland, getting away in such cleve
fashion that he had never been heard o
since. Where he WAS no one could say; bu
lately there had been a strong suspicion
among the police that Light Toed Jim wa
at his old tricks again.
''Light Toed Jim!' repeated. 81 shout.
think so. Why, what do you know abou
himi"
He smiled and nodded his head "Ligh
toed JIM" said he, sis in Westford at thi
ere hidentical moment Listen to me
officer. Light Toed Jim is a-goin toeracl
a crib tonight. Said crib is the mansion
of Miss Singleton, that ere rich old lady n
mt ha NnpIaton l.,