The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-04
TIE LADY BURGLAR.
EatertsipiRgiy Explairs How She hay
pened to BusEaA


pened to BusgA
'Yes," said the lady burglar, as she
ran a dainty goid-tipped jimmy
through her back hair and toyed idly
with a dark lantern, ''it is somewhat
OF an innovation, I confess, and rather
pride myself that am the FIRST real
lady who has ever made serious study
of the science of burglary. Other ladies'
have tried it, but it was @ mere feeting
fad, like roller skating and hoop skirts.
They never took up, the calling in
earnest, and I believe I am correct in
my assertion that am positively the
only lady who has adopted the profess
sion as a means OF livelihood. How did
7 happen to enter it? No, don't say
what was the first misstep. That is
mere sentimental gush. There was no
misstep. I took up burglary deliberate
~ and, if / may say it, with malice
aforethought. .
"An the legitimate professions were
overcrowded, and / was far toe proud
to ever think of becoming house maid
or waitress in one of those quick and
dirty lunch places. And there was no
money in typewriting. Once" and tho
lady burglar laughed merry, reminis-
cent laugh, II remember entering q
gentieInan's house by way of the Sec
ond-story window-he was personal
friend of mine. o, no; I never let such
trihes stand in the way of business. In
fact, if am not much mistaken, he was
an old sweetheart or something on that
order.
"Well, was just gazing in the glass
to see if my hat was on straight pre-
paratory to going through his jeans and
whatever other articles of furniture he
had, when he awoke with violent 10,
20 and so per cent. popular price start.
My Gawd, Mag, is it your he ejacu-
lated in low, sad voice; what are you
doing here at such an hour? Think of
what the neighbors will say!' I am
here to rob- replied in q hard-boiled
Barbary coast voice.
'He seemed surprised. but contained
himself with remarkable self-posses-
sion. If you will promise to go home
and shed those boomers forever you
can have anything l have got. and he
gave me the key to his wife's bureau
drawer on the spot. Yes. have found
that, as a rule, men are gallant. l al
ways make it point to disturb them
as little as possible, but whenever 1 do
arouse them they receive me in 4
courteous and kindly manner.
IL recall an instance of my early days
when I was little better than q second
story novice. had entered bach
elor's apartment. and was hastily sep
nrating the wheat from his unpaid bills,
when he unexpectedly opened his eyes
and gazed long and earnestly at me-
"Do YOU find anything that strikes
your fancyr he asked. in a gentlemanly
way.
Nothing I replied. that will enable
me TO live in ease and luxury
"'We1,' he answered, in that lower
drawer you will find pair of pink silk
pajamss. II you will be so good as 20
take them I think you can uss them
when your bloomsrs have gone into dry
dock
20, no, I was not offended. We lady
burglars hare TO put mp with rss.
deal OF risque remsrks. and. besides. tbs
pa janas. found. made excellent shirt
waists for the seaside. Would recon-
mend other young women 70 follow IN
nv footsteps? No, not unless they were
willing 10 put up with all manner Of IN
conventional things.
Sometimes / almost envy Billy Fly,
nayy Dare Devil and those other ladies'
who hang by Their toes from is-story
buildings a. seven dollars column IL
Is greet deal more gea,eel than 70 20
through q pair of ge,tlemzn's trousers
with the horrid dread II your heart
that bis wife has already been through
then.--San Francisco Cali