The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-13
STRANGER THAN FICTION.
As Such May BE Classed This Tale II
Plain. Unvarnlshed
Facts.


It was his invariable custom to loci
up the jewelry, gold and silver ware
and other tempting articles of like ma
ture, in cunningly devised closet O
his own invention, let into the wall o-
the dining-room SO skillfully that tn,
most experienced burglar would never
suspect its presence.
Then, having concealed in some
what similar way whatever money he
happened to have about him, Mr.. Green.
ups unvarying habit was to examine
the fastenings of the doors and win.
dows, place sheet of zinc or tin under
the rug at the foot of the stairway lead.
ing up to the sleeping apartments-the
mission of this sheet of metal being to
emit loud noise when stepped on
after which he always went to bed
For the proper understanding of this
narrative it is necessary to emphasize
the fact that these precautions had
never been omitted, no after how late
the hour. To observe them had become
second nature with Mr. Greenup.
One night last week, however. when
on the point of making his usual rounds,
he was disturbed by the loud ringing of
the door bell.
On going in person to answer it he
found boy with telegram.
The telegram was to the effect that
an elderly aunt of his wife's was on her
way to visit the family. and would be
Ia e4o = -. -
morning. Would he please meet her
there?
To comply with this request it would
be necessary for him to set the alarm
clock for five a. m.
NO, boy, there's no answer"
He closed and locked the door, and
with the te elegram in his hand went up
stairs TO reassure his uneasy wife and
to set the alarm clock.
Then he undressed and went to bed.
Five minutes later, when on the point
Of falling TO sleep. he remembered with
a sensation like a sudden jolt that he
had forgotten 10 secure the family val
uables and examine the doors and win
dows.
First time in 20 years" he said to
himself as he prepared to get up again.
Then he lay back and reflected.
Twenty years! And in all that ime
there has never been any attempt to
break into this house. Ihave spent-let
me see--at least ten minutes every night
locking things up. Twenty times 365-
J. ;e l.. q
ure is 10000. Great Scott. have spent
900 minutes-that's over /, 200 hours,
or l20 working days of ten hours each
in doing something that has proved to
be absolutely useless And | haven't
allowed anything for leap years. Per-
haps I've been away from home enough
ghts to make up for that. Four solid
months thrown away! And never bur
glar! II one wanted TO get in he'd do
il anyhow. Does it seem likely that the |
one night in 1900 when | miss locking |
things up is TO be the one night that !
some burglar is going 10 select for rob- |
bing this house? Hardly. I'll run my
chances of 1t, anyway"
And he went TO sleep.
The night sped away.
No sound disturbed the peaceful
slumbers of Mr.. Greenup.
Until five a. IN.
Then the alarm clock aroused him.
Intent only on dressing in a hurry,
attending 10 the furnace, and arousing
tha kitchen girl to the necessity of hay.
ne a cup of hot coffee for Aunt Pencil
ope at $50. and, forgetting all about
lis reflections and computations of a
lew hours before. he hastened down
.tairs.
Then the recollection of his willful
negligence, his indolent calculation of
chances. came upon him with rush.
The air of the rooms seemed somehow
ifferent. Hastily be lighted the gas
ind looked about him. He saw-noth-
ng unusual. The house had not been
ntered.
III. no.
With a feeling akin to sorrow the
admits it. Fact is stranger
han fiction, and when REINFORCED by an
overwhelming array of figures it would
e madness to fly in the face of it with
be trumped-up story of burglary
hat had only one chance in 1900 of
aking place.-Chicago Tribune.
Ao
Pretty Things to Wear.
Belts made of doub.e-faced satin rib
on are fastened together in the front
iith small clasp.
Tiny rufties of ribbon or gauze have
drawing string. the gauze being plain
r embroidered.
Charming neck ruffles that will last