The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-10-12
ROBIN 6 A
HAUNTED HOUSE
IorlRinaLl


was new at the business, ana Il came
pretty near making an honest man Of
me. AT the time we were doing a
suburb Of big city. Every few nights
some house would be entered, and
every one in the place was badly
frightened. One night I was on the
way to join my pals Tor a bit OF work
when passed a house that struck me
as being well located for business.
There was not another house near
enough 20 afford any protection, and
there were porches with trellises that
would enable man to climb to the
second story. saw one such ladder
that led right UP to back window, and
as the night was very hot the window
was wide open. It was too dead easy
a game 20 be left out and had time to
make haul before joining the gang
II took the precaution to walk around
the house to look out for anything that
might baik me. There wasn't a light
anywhere. On the front porch a short
board leaned against the front door on
which something had been painted in
rough black letters. brought my bulls
eye to bear on It, and when saw what
It was laughed. II read: This
house is hauntedl Keep orr
III ever there was a woman's blum
that was. No man would have been
stupid enough to try TO fool burglar
In that way. made up my mind
there were only women In the house
and l had nothing TO fear. Going
straight to the trellis / climbed 1t and
entered by the open window. About
this time l felt a trifie uncertain. II
occurred TO me that any one SO fright
ened as to put up such a warning to
burglars would be timid enough to
shut and lock all the windows. But
there was heat wave on and no one
could have stood II without outside air.
This led me 10 believe that the sign had
been put up In place of locking the win
dOws. | laughed again at the device
and proceeded down hall from which
the window opened. At the other end
Of the hall was a mirror. The night was
not so dark but that could see my
reflection and stood for a moment
looking at t.
Il don't know anything I'd not
rather run up against In my work than
a mirror, II It was day and could see
distinctly l wouldn't mind 'em. But
/ have never done day work. which no
gentleman win do, for It Is really COM
mon sneak thief work. To make sure
tho reflection was mine, I made differ.
emit motions, noticing that the reflection
followed them. II did and was salts
hed.
II tried several bedroom doors and
they we're locked. BOT caring to dis
turb any one-this, mind you, was a
side issue before joining the Rang-I
concluded to go downstairs and see
what had been done with the silver.
The places whore silver are usually
kept were empty. and knew they had
put II in q safe place. Then I con-
cluded to so ON the third story and II
didn't find anything I'd have to
either leave without plumber or break
into some OF the best bedrooms on the
second door.
Reaching the second floor on my
way up there was the mirror and my
dim reflection. raised an arm-most-
~ out Of nervousness. for had made
the test beforehand shivered all over
when / didn't see the arm Of the re-
lection go up, Grasping my revolver,
stepped back and aside. The figure
stepped aside too. raised my revolv-
Or. So did the figure. Then felt
easier and advancing found that from
4 aNa he
high enough to take in my arm raised
above my head,
There's a bit Of superstition In all
OF rs, and the incident ratified me.
When got on the third der felt un.
comfortable. saw something at the
end OF the hall that might be mirror,
but u was darker than below and
couldn't see my reflection. | entered
q bedroom and found a fine haul of
Jewels on a bureau, By this time
was quite ready to get away and step.
ping into the hall was about to 20
downstairs when thought saw
something in what supposed was the
mirror. My hair stood on end. II was
white and my clothes were dark. l
looked at II a moment. then as a test
put up both my arms. Both arms OF
tho reflection went up, put mine
down. but those Of the reflection re-
malned UP. Ny heart began to thump.
Thon the figure stepped out Of the
mirror and came toward me. gave
q yell aud fell in faint.
when | came to myself was locked
In closet. and a few minutes later
the police arrived The closet door
was unlocked, and pOllcemans bulls.
/ ere was thrust IN my face.
Hello, Andy Caught againl Why,
! didn't know you was OUT And he
dragged me from the closet.
1 the gas was turned ON. and there
were several women In the hall All
were In double gowns except one girl,
who had>a sheet around her. The first
thing did was to look at the end Of
the hall, where I stippoaQd there WA