The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-02
THE BURGLARS GHOST.

am not an imaginative man, and no
one who knows me can say that l have
ever INDUCED in sentimental ideas upon
any subject. l am rather predisposed, in
fact, to look at everything from a purely
practical standpoint, and this 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, a large town in one of our most
Important manufacturing districts. A DO
hceman, as most people will readily be-
heve, 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 a somewhat super
st1tious nature. However, | was-once I'M
der the firm conviction that l 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 various fash
ions. Whether the comments were satiri-
cal or practical. it made no difference to
me; had firm faith at that time in the
truth of my tale.
Eighteen years ago was plain clothes
officer at Westford- | 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
riage Knowing this, was always on the
lookout for chance of distinguishing my
self, and paid such attention to my duties
that my superiors began to notice me, and
fOretold successful career for me in the
future.
One evening in the last week of Septem-
bers 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 l am afraid l 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
voice say, Good evening, officer"
I turned sharply around. 1t was almost
dusk and my lamp was not lighted For
all that, could see clearly enough a man
who was sitting by chest of drawers that
stood between the door and the window.
His 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"" l replied. 81 didn't
hear you come in"
He laughed when l said that-a low,
ehuckling, rather sly laugh. NO" he said,
"I dessay not, officer. Pm a very quiet sort
of person. You might say, in fact-noise-
less Just So"
looked at him narrowly, feeling con-
siderably surprised and astonished at his
presence. He was a thickly built man, with
q 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, it was in keeping with his face.
He wore a rough suit of wooden or
frieze; thick. gayly colored Belcher neck
erchief encircled his bull like throat, and
in his big hands he continually twirled and
twisted a 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?" l asked.
Just little matter o. business" he an
swered.
You should have gone to the Office" I
said. "We're not supposed to do business
al 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 hs' 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. Eh?"
What is it you wantg" inquired again.
"Ain't you eager TO be promotedg" he .
reiterated. "Ain't you, now, officer2"
saw no reason why l should conceal |
the fact, even from this strange visitor | /
admitted that / was eager for promotion
"Ahp' he said with a satisfied smile; /
I'm glad o. that. tn make you all the .
keener. Now, officer, you listen to me. I
Pm a-goin TO put you on to nice little .
Job. Ali dessay you'll be a sergeant be- /
fore long, you will You'll be compliment
ed and praised for your clever conduck IN
this ERE affair. Mark my words if you
amt"
"Out with it," l said, fancying l saw
through the mans meaning. You're go
ing to split on some of your pals, suppose,
and you'll want reward"
He shook his heak "A reward" he said,
wouldn't be no use to me at all-no. not
if it was a thousand pounds. No it amt
nothing TO do with reward. But now,
officer, did you ever hear of Light Toed
Jim?"
Light Toed Jiml | should have been a
poor detective If had not. Why, the man
known under that sobriquet was one Of
the cleverest burglars and thieves in Eng
land, and had enjoyed such a famous career
that his name was household word At
that moment there was an additional in
terest attached TO him. He had been con-
vieted of burglary at the Northminster
RssiZes in 1871, and sentenced TO ten years
penal servitude. After serving nearly two
years of his time he had escaped from
Portland, getting away in such clever
fashion that he had never been heard OF
since Where he wss no one could say; but
lately there had been a strong suspicion
among the police that Light Toed Jim was
st his old tricks again.
Light Toed Jiml" repeated. II should
think so. Why, what do you know about
him?' I.
He smiled and nodded his head. Light
toed Jim" said he, lis in Westford at this
ere hidentical moment Listen 10 me,
officer. Light TOed jim is a-goin to crack
q crib tonight. Said crib is the mansion
Of Miss Singleton, that ere rich old lady as
lives out on the Mapleton road. You know
rich. with naught but wom-
en- servants and animals about the place.
There's some very valyable plate there.
Tnats what Light Toed JlKa's after. He'll
get In through the scullery window about
l a. m, then he'll pass through the back
and front kitchens and into the buffers
pantry-only it's q butleress, cos there
amt no men at Gn-and there he'll set to
work on the safe. Some Of his late pals in