The sun., 1897-11-14
WHAT SHE KNEW ABOUT BURGLARS.
Mrs. Browne Realistic Story and . More
Realistic Experience.
From the Galvesfon Daily Ne,ps.


Realistic Experience.
From the Galresfon Daily Ne,ps
"No. Amelia, you cannot write q successful
burglar story. Your burglars are too consider
ate. Now, a burglar hasn't any professional
pride. He doesn't caro- how easily he can get
into house. He gloats over q solitary estab-
lishment, though he goes prepared to kill whom
soever he may find. / have read every word of
your story but 1t will not do said MIR. Brown
firmly as he looked at his wife.
why will it not dor
Well. in the first paoe, you don't know any
thing about burglar We have never been
rich enough to persuade n thief that it was
worth his whilo to visit u.s. And that last
chapter, where you have the burglar start at
the sound Of approaching footsteps, and, leaving
his bag Of silver and his dark lantern, rush
headlong from the house. that. my dear. that's
absurd! He wouldn't leave the silver nor rush
out; you should change that. Have him stink
behind @ Ia. door, i draw his pistol. and take sure
don't care IL haven't seen a burglar. I
know Just what they are like. Haven't been
alone in this house night after night when I
have experienced every sensation that any one
uld with burglars therefore l write from
he paeRese nSay Written pSEcs
Youth not be more frightened than usual,
Mr.: Brown. looking at his watch.
Mr.. Brown was the editor Of amorning paper,
and his vile was accustomed to being left alone
They lived in one of the pleasant suburbs near
Boston. Il safe and quiet location where neigh
walked by the house at certain hours Of the
ni.I!; . , ,-u
could put in your story II burglar really would
cone IN uring my absence"
Mrs Brown received these remarks in scornful
sill c. and after her husbands departure took
up hsr mannscrpt ana % read the story carefully.
when he sees t. Unless any Thing fTw is resuy stGry
Judge, man OF subtle mind-a burglar, Tor
instance-would see the fine points. the realistic
power, Of this story in a moment"
Mrs. Brown almos regretted the limits OF her
questine the opinion fsCme burglar OF literary NY
perceptions.
that woke Mrs. Brown instantly. She was wide
awake in a moment, with every sense alert. A
little breeze came in through an open window.
And she noticed tho heavy fragrance OF the
With wide-open eyes she waited. for she felt
move. TO make the least sound. would be to
hasten haste her fate she forgot that noiRhbor
securely fasl ened. She was only conscious OF a
She could distinctly hear footsteps in the
moved in the library. then came silence, and
Mrs Brown gained little courage and realized
/ q
vice OF silver that could moi bo ensily reulaced,
and there was another danHer-they might set
tho house on fire. For her TO simply listen and
walt for them to work their will was madness.
She crept out OF bed and slipped on a loose
, gown. Then her fear almost oyerca mo her. III
i live until morning we will move, she whis-
pere between her chilled lips; hut she opened
her door and went tremblinsly down the stairs.
The library door was ajar and dim light
shono through space, but there WAS no
sonn TO be heard For moment Mrs Brown
listened. Then came the faint rustic of paper.
and. leaning over the railing, she peercd into
the room.
She could see her desk plainly. Before II sat
man. In his bands was he manuscript she had
+ LETT upon her desk two hours before.
As Mrs. Brown watched him the tense lines
IN her face relaxed; her eyes were Fixed upon
! him, and RS he read on and on a faint smile
' lowered about her lips, For an instant she
resolved 10 sacrifice h,r silver; but no! She
carefully retraced her steps, gained her own
room and in u moment the quiet stro was
awakened by the sound OF her cries: Police!
help! help!" A. the d me instant there was the
noise or an overturned chair, the rush OF steps
and the slam OF an outer door.
When Mrs. Iirown came down tho stairs TO
let IN the people who had promptly COme 10 her
ns istance she found tn libr ry door wide open.
IN the table was an overturned dark lantern,
and besiuo IL bag Containing the silver. Scat.
tered about the desk and floor we're the sheets
of manuscript,
Mrs. Brown looked about her carefully "we
must not touch u thing In this room until Mr..
Brown returns" she said with faint note OF
triumph in her voice.