Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-01-08

THE LEISURE BURGLAR.

would like to see our Mr.. Forrest
"Mr. Forrest ?" inquired.
why. yes" he said in surprise
Have you never heard of our Mr..
Forrest2 MOI Why" he continued,
rubbing his hands together cxultingly,
che is man the likes of which | wager
you will not find in another prison 10
these States"
"You are proud of him, oh y
proud of him Proud Of him Woll,
now, you may believe it. Alb, | tell
you, sir, he is none Of your common
every-day-aort of scamps No, indeed.
not he lie is a gentleman, every inch
of him. But you would like to see
him p
Certainly" | answered, ''if he be
as interesting as you would mako out. "
"Aud more 20, sir, ! assure you," he
said, enthusiastically.
Where 10 yoa keep him :" 1 IN
quired
ave set him at work in the library,
and good man be is there, too"
And leading the way be brought me
to the door leading to the library
Pausing a moment, he leaned over to
me and said:
"Sir, it you can, you must get him
to tell you Of his last piece Of work. A
very artistic thing it was, and bold, too.
He's in for five years "
And be opened the door. Sitting at
a tablc.reading some paper was a very
pleasant, aifable-looking gentleman. -
When say gentleman, mean that he
could not possibly be taken for anything
else. His looks, bis bearing. the court.
ly manner in which he rose to greet us
as we entered, and tho CHEEKY smile
with which he recognized our introduce
ton stamped him at once as one born
gentleman and that he was we'll edu-
Gated and possessed of an intellect far
above mediocrity was apparent before |
left.
The warden leaving a moment later
to attend to his duties, we spoke casual
ly on several topics, l avoiding any men,
ton of the fact thas he was there as q
prisoner, and wondering how he ever
came to commit the crimes--for | had
found that his last crime was not bis first
one, but that all bis life he had been
burglar, and had, until the present time,
successfully eluded the search and yigi-
lance of the ofiicers-which had brought
him into his present position, and given
him the unenviable reputation be en-
joyed for, when at last did bring
myself to the point and somewhat timid-
ly broached tho topic. bis interest
heightened, and, instead Of appearing
downcast and shamefacc, he rather bris-
tied somewhat with pride, and | found
no difficulty 10 inducing him to give me
detailed account Of the piece Of work
at which he was caught. lie said:
II had nbstained from any work for
over half year, owing mostly to the
onerous duties imposed upon me by
society; bat my desire increased until
I could restrain it no longer, and ono
night on sudden impulse set out,
taking with nc but few tools, which
| carried in my pocket. IL was early,
very early not later than 10 o'clock.
while operations are usually most sue
cessfully conducted between 3 and 4 or 8.
However, | did not have tho pa
thence TO wait, but Immediately began
looking about for some house whose
appearance was prepossessing. BY
1890 had found my house and fixed
upon my way Of ingress, which was 10
be at window facing south near the
ground | waited impaticntly for the
people to retire, which they did slowly
FINALLY the only person still up was
a man, evidently the man Of the house
who was smoking cigar and reading a
paper. stationed myself at n treo and
waited, looking at my watch from time
to time, and uttering imprecutions on
the man for keeping me so long in the
cold il was near winter, and some
snow was already on the ground
Soon ! saw that the man was get
ting sleepy, aud finally, with a yawn
he threw away bis cigar. laid down hil
paper, and, taking his lamp with him
went TO another room. Changing IN!
position saw the light ro-appear OF
the west side, he having, 10 the best o
my calculation, passed through room
adjoining the room whore he first was
and from that into bis bedroom. 500
tho light went out, and, waiting sbou
half an hour for bin to get drowsy.
J went To work.