The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-01
oArcHrxe 4 @
The veteran Has "A Unusuai n Not n Re-
Experience with an Unsx-
peeted and Active French Burglar.

Aa-f - ShSANN - wv - ~
Experiences with an Unex-
Peeted ana Active French Burgisr.
TITS we'll enough for you to tell me that /
shouldn't cry over spilled milk. and all that
sort OF rot" Rrowlcd the young fellow TO the
veteran, but Won never had n burglar get into
your room In the middle of the night, and
my dear boy" interrupted the Veteran. in
q voice that was soothing and peace and COM
fort all In one. don't talk about what You
don't know about"
Everybody does.' and the boy smiled.
Then BIO different from everybody, my son. 4"
"An right smiled the boy again, II will.
Go ahead with your story and I'll listen to IL. :"
The Veteran took a little of the smile up
himself.
You young rascal" he said, everybody
would be glad enough to listen to my story,
but / won't tell Il to everybody"
"How EXCLUSIVES; but 10 on with IL before I
am too old 10 enjoy It," and the younger man
cbucked tho older one under the chin in tho
playful manner Of privileged youth.
well. SIR" proceeded the Veteran, ut hap
pened In Paris when / was about Ave and
twenty, and was over there seeing how much
OF my ancestral estate l could lavish on tho
luxuries of that gay capital. In other words,
l was there to have a good time, and 1 was
h~aving.it, just as I ny young follow can when he
has time and money and Paris all at once.
Whew" and the Veteran drew a long breath
OF relief Mt tho thought that It was all over.
MI time is to come" said tho younestor,
earnestly.
'Asl was saying" proceeded the Veteran. ~
was doing things right, and I had a suite Of
elegant apartments in what.was at that time
q fashionable quarter. Ny sleeping room had
two windows at the back looking out upon an
area surrounded by a wall whose top led up to
the roof Of a low piazza. and from this to the
windows was an easy flight. As the area was
always closed, l was careless about fastening
the windows, and when the nights were warm
l slept with them wide open. AT the same
time l left money and jewelry and other val
uables lying around loose. l had q valet. but
It was understood that when Acame In after
midnight. l would take care of myself"
The youngster whistled q long, low whistle.
Whats that fori" inquired the Veteran.
That's. about The only time I'd want one,"
Rrinned the youth.
We are different, sir" said the Veteran,
etifiy, and proceeded. LAS l was saying. 1
left my stuff lying around quite promiscuous-
ly. but as l had a revolver OF the best Ameri-
can pattern. and had the reputation of always
having my nerve with me-, l never gave much
thought TO such thoughts as open windows
easy of access to the outside and valuable jew
elry and money and that sort of thing close ut
hand inside would suggest TO the common run
OF minds. One night when 1 had come in
quito tired"-the young mar smiled. but tho
Veteran paid no attention-'I threw my things
around moro carelessly than usual and .tum-
bled into bed. Two hours later. or about half
past 8 in tho morning. I was awakened BY q
gentle tapping on my bed-you know nothing
will wake you 80 quickly as that, and so natu-
rally-and when 1 opened ny eyes l thought I
had awakened in the suburbs of the sun. for q
binding. dazzling light sh one In my face, and 1
couldn't see anything. Before l had time to
collect my senses, a whisper came out Of tho
darkness behind the light. and alongside OF
the light 7 could see. thrusting itself toward
me somewhat like the open mouth of a snake.
the muzzle Of n cannon"
II beg your PARDON interrupted tho boy.
1T only looked that way" laughed the Vet
teran. Il presume 1 MIGHT have stuck the end
of my little finger into the & aping aperture,
but l assure you l thought 1 could have
crawled into 1t without mussing my night
shirt. In any event, ! hadn't much time to
think about that. for the whisper In very dis
tinct tones was warning me not. tn move my
hand or foot on the peril of my life. It was
q French whisper. and l was really surprised
at the facility with which I comprehenled what
was always uiihcuit IankuaSe " me. by
this time 1t began to dawn upon me that 1
was IN the hand" OF the enemy. and That 1
was now about to pay for my carelessness in
not keeping my windows locked. With this
impression hrm upon me- proposed 10 lake
my medicine ike a little man. and At once be-
gan to talk to my caller. l told him to hurry
away with al he wanted because IA man In
my room at night made me nervous, whereat
he laughed a low halt-audlo'o RurGle' and l
Kept on chahng. told hin TO llRht the gas
so that he could DICK out the ocst 9eweirS haa
had.and not 10 get tha' that was ihcohVehiehtly
marked. ana SO on every hiinute begging
him TO hurry ana get out. because l was sleepy
and wa losing my rest oy reason OF ms pres
once. All this Time ne was hoiding the dazzle
OF MS oulls-eye on me. ana that pistol muzHle
Rrlnned AT me as II IL thouRht my remarks
were tunhy. lheh my VISITOR com nianaeo me
10 arise and lieht the gas out 70 keep u turned
IhN mi Tn IA N nv I'M hnhT