Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-08-30

we knew the place well, Tor Doll
Bill and myself had managed to Sc
cure work there when the house was
being remodeled. Through a side
hedge and across large lawn from
tree to tree we cautiously advanced,
pausing frequently to observe and
listen.
Not sound, save the uacanny shrek
of screech owl, and the clustering,
chilly wind soughing among the ever
green's and creaking the bare treetops,
fell on our eager ears.
Thanks to the supposed superior
protection of electricity, dogs were
not on hand to interfere with our
pleasure-though had theirs been we
had a patent way of winning their
friendship.
When we got close to the house we
made circuit around it, and finding
everything safe and comfortable, we
prepared for business. Instead OF
attempting a guarded door or win
dow, or even cutting hole through
the clapboards into the parlor, as we
might have done to avoid the wires,
our plan was to enter through the
unprotected roof. Taking from my
bag an arrow, with a coil of fishing
line attached, placed it in bow
(Which had been my cane while trav-
eling) and neatly shot the line above
and over the house, so that it fell
clear Of windows or distractions.
In few minutes signal tug on
it told me that Bill had found the
arrow on 'tother side of the house.
Then tied on heavier line, light
but strong enough to hang two ordi-
nary men, and signaled Bill to haul
away. Next / fastened on a we'll
creased. high-power pulley block, on
which was the flexible rope for our
ascent, and gave the signal to haul
away again and make fast.
Soon Bill did so and, joining me,
we, got ready to go aloft.
/ went first, of course, being the
senior partner in the concern and
chief manager of my unpatented in
vention.
Comfortably sitting on wooden
cross-piece / pulled away on the end
less rope attachment Zone pound pull
lifting FOUR, and easily raised myself
to where / could reach and mount
upon the broad caves of the shingled
sloping roof.
In jiffy Partner Bill performed
the same circus act and was at my
side.
Like two cats we quickly Chamber
ed, with the help Of the cross line,
to the scuttle, and then, with no
trouble at all to such artists as we
were, the bolt was forced and Fort
Electricity was taken, with it's gar
rison blissfully dreaming of the safety
afforded by the latest burglar alarms.
Softly creeping down the scuttle
ladder we gained the garrett floor and
there, by the CHEEKY light of our dark
lanterns, we donned our working
suits consisting of long white night
gown and caps, and which, ! am proud
to say VI invented for occasions like
the present.
Being an honest burglar, / never
considered it square toneedlessly star
tie sleeping person. The ladies espe-
cially suffer from nervous shock and
fright and either faint dead away or
scream so loudly that it is annoying to
say the least.
The men are apt to waxen out Of
humor or scared to death, and i'm both
cases are generally beyond reach Of
argument.
But in our handsome ruffled night
gowns and caps we fearlessly glide
in and out of bedrooms, make half
awake men turn over on their pill
lows so we can get their watches or
pistols with no more than sleepy
grunt at being disturbed, and even
get in bed beside them IL there's dam
ger of actual discovery.
You see our boldness and appear
ance naturally causes them to take
us for members of the family and
treat us accordingly.
This surely is much pleasanter
than burning sulphur matches under
their noses or binding their eyes with
the rays of dark lantern, or giving
them pointed revolver bluff or
a billy crack on q defenseless bald
head. Put yourself in their places
and l guess you'll fully agree with
me.
Well, Bill and /, like two white
robed Santa Clauses, came down.
stairs and went straight to our work,
Bill taking the rooms on one side of
the dimly-lighted hall, and l the
others.
Here let me say that snoring,
which is usually offensive to the lis
tener, becomes in our business a
most melodious and soothing sound.
Like Sancho Panza, bless the man
who invented sleep, and thrice bless
the woman, perhaps, who invented
the sweeter snore, though l never do
it myself, not having time at night
like other folks.
Breathing these blessings, / en-
tered the main room, where the old
general of the fort lay snoring for all
he was worth.
First / tackled his trousers and got
his well-stuffed wallet, then picked
up a young jewelry store from the
bureau, then fished for his watch
under his pillow. But the old snorer
lay on it hard so it wouldn't GENE.
Showing him gently by the shoulder
whispered turn over"
Half opening his eyes, enough to
see my white robe, he gave the usual
grunt and obeyed. In moment his