The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-09-24
THE LEISURE BURGLAR.

THE LEISURE BURGLAR.
Sir" said the warden. perhaps
you would like to see our Mr.. Forrest" :"
MIR. FUrrest?" | inquired.
Why yes" he said in surprise.
Have you never heard of our Mr.
Forrest? No? Why" he continued,
rubbing his hands together eyu,ingly.
The is man the likes of which wager
you will not find in another prison in
these statesm
You are proud of him. eh!'
Proud of himi Proud of him! Well.
now. YOU NAV believe it. All. | tell
YOU. sir. he is none of your common
everyday sort OF scamps. No, indeed.
not he! lie is a gentleman. every inch
of him. But you would like to see
him?"
Certainly" answered. IF he be
as interesting as you would make
out"
And more so, sir. assure you," he
said enthusiastically.
Where do you keep him?" | in-
quircd
I'VE set him at worl, in the library.
and a good man he is there. too"
And leading the way he brought me
TO the door leading to the library.
Pausing moment he leaned over to
me and said:
Sir. If YOU can. YOU must get him
to tell you of his last piece of work.
A very artistic thing it was. aud bold,
too. He's III for five years"
And he opened the door. Sitting ut
table reading some paper was very
pleasant, affable-looking gentleman.
When | say gentleman. | mean that
he could not possibly be taken for any
thing else. His looks. his bearing,
the courtly manner in which he rose 10
greet us as we entered. and the CHEEKY
smile with which lie recognized our in
PRODUCTION stamped him ut once as one
born a gentcman; and that he was
we'll educated and possessed of an in-
tellect far above mcdiocrity was APP
parent before left.
The warden leaving a moment later
to attend to his duties we spoke casual
ly on several topics. | avoiding any
mention of the fact that he there as
prisoner, aud wondering how he ever
came 10 commit the crime-for | had
found that his last crime WAS not his
first one. but that all his life he had
been burglar. and had, until the
present time, successfully eluded the
search and vigilance of the officers
which had brought him into his pres
eut position. and given him the unen-
yiable reputation he en- joyt1d; for, when
at last did bring myself to the point
and somew hat timidlv broachcd the
topic. his interest heightened. and, in
stead of appearing downcast and
shamefaced. he rather bristled some
what with pride, and found no diff
Guilty in iuducing him 10 give me
detailed account of the piece of work
at which he was caught. He said:
Il had abstaned from auv work for
over half year, owing mostly TO the
onerous duties imposed upon me by
society; but my desire increased until
| could restrain it no longer, and one
night on sudden impulse ! set out.
taking with me but Il few tools. which
| carried in my pocket 1t was early,
very early. not later than 10 o'clock.
while operations are usually most sue
cessfully conducted between and or
D.
However,, did not have the pa
thence to wait, but Immediately began
looking about for some house whose
appearance was prcposSeSslng. by
1880 | had found my house aud fixed
upon my way of ingrcss. which was TO
be at Il window facing south near the
ground. | waited impatiently for the
people TO retire, which they did slow
Iy.
Finally the only person still up
was a man evidently the man of the
house, who was smoking cigar and
reading paper. stationed myself
at a tree aud waited, looking at my
watch from time to time. and uttering
imprecationS on the man for keeping
me so long in the cold; it was near win
ter and some snow was already on
the ground.
Soon | SAW that the man was get
ting sleepy. and finally. with yawn.
he threw away his cigar, laid down his
|. paper. and. taking his lamp with him.
went to another room. Changing my
position | saw the light reappear on
the west side he having. to the best of
my calculation. passed through room
adjoining the room where he first was,
and from that into his bedroom. Soon
the light went out. and, waiting about
half an hour for him to get drowsy, l
went 10 work.
Il had no trouble with the window,
and opening it lightly crawled into the
room. Right ahead of me | saw a
stove, by the light OF which | saw that
was in little recess used for the
placing of flowers, which had now been
removed. As it was yet much too
early to begin work. l sat down on Il
chair which found conveniently near
and waited. The room was comfort
ably warm. the fire giving CHEEKY
glow. aud | soon found myself grow
ing drowsy. Remembering the cigars
my host was smoking. l went 10 the
table. and to my delight found there
| on a box, some of which | Immediately
appropriated. They proved TO be a
very good smoke. and | contentedly
resumed my former occupation of gaz-
| ing at the Goals. AS fast rs one cigar
was used up would light another, and
| believe that | must have smoked
some twenty or thirty cigars that night.
And TO that aud TO that only. can
attribute the fact of my being here.