The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-08-18
nd consequently his fame was un-

ana consequently MS 1ame was un
diminished by that episode.
Now that / have introduced Mr..
William Mummer, Esq. / will 60 on
with my story.
Twas black midnight in adreary
November. The sky was cloudeC
and a lively wind was banging shut.
ters and moaning through the sway
ing branches as Bill and j quietly
stole along the dismally dark and
deserted country road.
With valises containing articles
used in our trade. and smoking pipes
with shoppers on to hide their glow,
We silently made good time over the
wet and soggy ground till old Fort
Electricity, as We dubbed the object
Of our attack, loomed up before US.
We knew the place well, for both
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 uncanny 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 there been we
had patent way Of winning their
friendship.
When we got close TO the house we
made u circuit around it, and finding
everything safe and comfortable, we
prepared for business. Instead Of
attempting guarded door or win
dow, or even cutting II 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 coil Of fishing
line attached / placed 1t in a 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 II signal tug on
it told me that Bill had found the
arrow on 'tother side OF the house.
Then / tied on a heavier line, light
but strong enough to hang two ord-
nary men, and signaled Bill to haul
away. Next | fastened on n well
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 n wooden
cross piece | pulled away on the end
less rope attachment Zone pound pull
lifting four, ana easily raised myself
to where | could reach and mount
upon the broad caves Of the shingled
sloping roof.
In jifry 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 II invented for occasions like
the present.
Being an honest burglar, never
considered it square to needlessly star
tie II 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 in 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 n sleepy
grunt at being disturbed, and even
get in bed beside them IL there's dan
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
billy crack on n 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
Of Mrs opI wont stroiuht tn nnr Nnrl.