Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-02
MY GRIM VISITOR.

The burglarl Ind :, very active and
bold In tl"ir o!r.ui 4 our city, but as
the thermometer had marked above the
nineties for several days. and had little
of value in my room. | preferred 10 risk
that little and leave my winuows open,
although Of easy access, rather than un-
dergo partial suilocation. II IN uninvited
guest made his appearance, and | did
awake, could feign sleep and let him
take whatever he might find.
This class of visitors, ," reasoned with
n yself. "do not generally commit personal
violence IL they can accomplish theft and
make good their escape without it,"
These were my reflections every night
as | undressed and threw myself on my
bed, leaving my castle open To the enemy.
| had been asleep one night about an hour,
when ! WAS awakened by the falling of a
small china ornament. Starting slightly
and opening my eyes, | saw the gas burn
ing and n tall, broad shouldered man
with his back turned toward me, his face
looking over his shoulder To see whether
the noise had awakened me. My self
possession did not, however, forsake me.
What followed illustrates the value OF
presence Of mind.
Opposite the side Of my bed, and about
eight feet from IL, was the door Of my
room, two or three feet from which were
the stairs leading to the hall The bur
gar must have used ladder in ascending
10 the roof, from which he entered the win
dow. IL was some 30 feet from the ground
and isolated My plan was not only to
escape harm myself, but To effect his cap
ture knew the policeman's beat, aud
he would pass in short time. Sitting
holt upright then, M | opened my eyes
and saw the burglar looking very un.
pleasantly at me, | said, rubbing my eyes
drowsily, although, to tell the truth,
never was more wide awake in my life:
Hello, John, what are you looking forl
Can't Won come into my room without
making such IA confounded noiseg"
The fellow. taken somewhat aback at
being addressed i'm this way, said, in a
low but menacing voice, and pointing
revolver ut me:
Shut upi What do you take me fori"
Il took you for John" ! replied, with
well assumed nonchalauce. "But ]
didn't suppose he was after anything valu-
able In my room, except one thing, and
by the way, you are the unluckiest fellow
in the world"
We'll, have very good watch, but II
you want to get it you must pay a visit to
the watchmaker's after you leave here, for
| had what ] considered the bad but
what now seems the good fortune TO break
the spring yesterday and left it for re-
pairs"
"You re precious cool one, he said.
evidently astonished at my Indifference.
Whats the use OF my getting excited
or attempting TO resist your You are
armed, and you see am not. And IL you
had no weapon your fighting weight
must be at least 10 stone, while mine Is
not more than 9H. had no idea of in
terfering with you. II the room were
filled with diamonds, would not lift my
finger to save them. Take all you can
find. | am going to sleep-so don't make
any more noise.
"Hold oni" said the fellow. "Where's
your keysp"
~ suppose you want to make as much
Of haul as you can" said. $50 look
In my pants, hanging over the bedpost
there, and you'll find my pocketbook with
few stamps in it,"
1t was nearly time for the policeman to
pass, and paused TO listen. Lust in
few moments put my plan into execution
A glance, quick as lightning, showed
me that the key of the door was on the
outside.
My listening expression did not escape
the sharp and practical ear OF my grim
visitor. IL WAS curious scene no doubt,
| sitting in my bed in my nightclothes,
unarmed, and this stalwart ruflian, pistol
in hand, glaring half suspiciously, half
ferociously at me, and almost in the
crouching attitude of tiger about to
spring upon his prey. But there | sat,
coolly conversing with him, the necessi
ties OF the moment keeping my wits too
wide awake To allow my fears to get the
upper hand for an instant.
What are you listening tor" asked the
burglar.
IL thought heard cry Of fire."
In that instant and in the dead stiffness
of the night heard the tramp of the po
liceman. IL was still some distance off.
"You will fnd," said, "some clothes
OF mine In the press. They will, however
be too small for you. Good night. The
keys are in the middle drawer"
He turned to the drawer indicated, and
~ he did 40. with one tremendous bound
| cleared the space between my bed and
the door, slammed the door and locked il
upon him. Oblivious of my deshabille, ]
sprang to the steps. had two flights to
descend and open the dsor before ! could
reach the yard, but it was hardly possible
for him to descend the ladder more quick
ly Bounding rather than running down
stairs, flung back the bolt and rushed
into the yard. He was half way down the
ladder. Shouting "Policep' Justify,
seized the ladder at the bottom, and using
all my power brought II and the burQlnr