The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1895-01-03

We knew the place we'll, for both |
Bill and myself had managed to Sc
cure work there when the house
was being remodeled, Through a side
hedge and across the 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 evergreens 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 u
patent way of winning their friend
ship.
When we got close to the house we
made circuit around 1t and, finding
everything safe and comfortable, we
! prepared for business, Instead of at
tempting q guarded door or window,
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 un-
protected roof. Taking from my bag
an arrow with oil of fishing line at
tached, placed 1t in n bow (Which had
been my cane VIII lie traveling) and
neatly shot the line above and over
the house, SO that 1t fell clear of win
dows or Instructions
In few minutes a signal tug on 1t
! old 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 ordinary mon,
and signaled Bill to haul away. Next
j fastened on a well-greased, 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 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 lone pound pull
lifting FOUR, and easily raised myself
to where could reach and mount upon
the broad caves of the shingled slop-
ing roof.
In jitfy Partner Bill performed the
same circus act and was at my side.
Like two cats we quickly clambered,
with the help of the cross line. to the
scuttle, and then, with no trouble at
oil to such artists as we were, the bolt
was forced and Fort Electricity was
taken, with its garrison blissfully
dreaming of the safety afforded by tho
latest burglar alarms
Softly creeping down the scuttle
ladder we gained the garnet floor and
th ere, by the CHEEKY light of our dark
lanterns. we donned our working suits,
consisting of long white nightgowns
and caps, aud which, am proud to
say, invented for occasions like the
present
Being an honest burglar, | never
considered it square to needlessly
startle sleeping person. The ladies
especially suffer from nervous shock
and fright and either faint dead away
or scream so loudly that it is annoy
ing, to say the least.
The men are apt to walSen out of
humor or scared to death, and in both
cases are generally beyond reach of
argument.
But in our handsome ruffied night
gowns and caps we fearlessly glide in
and out of bedrooms, make half-awake
men turn over on their pillows SO we
can get their watches or pistols, with
no more than q sleepy grunt at being
disturbed, and even get in bed beside
them if there's danger of actual dis
covery.
You see our boldness and appearance
naturally cause 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 tho
rays of a dark-lantern, or giving them
pointed revolver bluff or billy
crack on defepseless bald head. Put
yourself in their places and 1 guess
you'll fully agree with me.
Well, Bill and |, like two white
robed Santa Clauses, came downstairs
and went straight to our work, Bill
dimly-lighted hall, and the others.
Here let me say that snoring, which
is usually offensive to the listener, be-
comes in our business most melodious