Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-11-01
BURGLARAND ARTIST
ny Harry PAIx.

The burglar was man Of a singularly
quiet and retiring disposition. In his hum
bic home, with such books and appliances as
his means would permit, he made a study
of mechanics, electricity, mineralogy, the
police regulations, and other subjects OF
which the vulgar are for the most part con
sant to remain ignorant. Yet he did not use
his knowledge for the purpose Of gaining
fame or Distinction; he did not attempt to
take a degree at either Of the universities;
he never courted examinations or eross-ex-
aminations. That love Of fame-,cu etiaIn
saepe boni indulgent-had no hold upon
him. No interviewer had ever described in
sympathetic language the coy corner IN the
burglars library. And this was not only
because he had no library, nor could it be en-
tirely ascribed to the fact that his Library
Iii be had would MT have POSSESSED
coy corner. Nor must we hurriedly con
cludc that it was solely due to the fact that
no interviewer had ever approached him
1t was his shy and unobtrusive nature that
made him shun publicity. He met all pho
tographers-in their own Technology
decided negative. He had his work 10 dc
in tae world, and he did it. But he did MOI
talk about it.
He had not even eonided to his wife anc
family--to whom he was devoted-the pre-
else nature OF his profession He had even
allowed his modesty to obscure his accuracy,
and had represented himself as the night
engineer OF an electric lgating company
On Sunday evenings he Delighted to gather
his children about MIN and play to them
upon the harmonium, an instrument with
which he was partially acquainted. Then
they would say good night to their dear
papa, and dear papa would 60 to work.
His scientific knowledge greatly increased
the safety and facility of his operations.
Electric burglar alarms had no terrors for
him. he knew far more about the forcing OF
any locked safe than the man who had made
Il; he never made the mistake of taking
from the houses that he entered any SOU
venr of which the real value was doubtful
But one Sunday night he became the victim
of a coincidence He was visiting the house
of an almost excessively celebrated artist,
man who made twenty thousand a year
without overworking himself. The burglar
had made all his preparations with his ac
eustomed skill He had allowed for every
thing-except one little fact, when ne haC
not been in a position to know. The artist
had drunk that night after dinner two cup
fGls of black coffee, or double the norma.
amount, and, in consequence, he was unable
to sleep
The burglar made no noise and no blum.
ders He severed those wires which aI~
peared to require it, made his entry, and Sc
lected and packed his souvenirs of the ocea.
sion without sound. 1t was all admirably
done. The artist lying awake upstairs never
had a suspicion that down below an expert
though ostentatious burglar was going
Al. 4
choosing examples with care and judgment
But it occurred to him that he was wasting
his time in bed, and he went down to The
studio. There he found the burglar just
closing the small black bag which contained
his collection. With great presence Of
mind, the artist stepped to his call box and
rang for messenger boy.
Don't move he said to the burglar, "ol
| shall have to hurt you"
Il don't wish to move" said the burglar;
''but l think you have made mistake in
ringing up messenger boy if, as / surmise,
you intend him to fetch the police"
you surInise correctly"
ut will be worse than an illustrated in
terview. The publicity win be enormous;
your work viii be Interrupted; your house
will be besieged by reporters. You will have
to attend law court and go into a witness
box, where, in I'll probability, you win make
a f'oi OF yourself ana appear to oe liar and
a drunkard' aGd you thought OF TINS
81 had no;
'u' aac at you are pc.
feet artist, eo2ff N your work
stunning all ~.
at is true, sad lae eatist. How did
you know"
Il also am an art'@ aid the burglar,
though n dllfesc"' ~ mis-; and kno"
how carefully aTo'5 clty myself. Inc
work alone-that Is t1o't Tor me saouid
hate-almost as mucl q you would-the
newspaper paragraphs VISA reference TO
your burglary and the lmpertinent questions
OF the gentlemen OF the law
There is something e what You say
said the artist. should dislike 1t eX-
tremely. On second THOUGHTS will let You
go It is probably comF unding felony
but that cannot be helped. My sensitive
nerves would never stand the horrors taat
.s~arto;,,l,. .,;l55. IL ~,sl..,;.1..4