The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-08
\ REAL RAFFLES.
A Beau BrunmeI Burglar Wearing a
Mask and Armed with Revolver.

Report was made to the police of
the West Sixty-eighth street station
last night of an interesting encounter
that a daughter of Samuel Fessenden.
states attorney of Connecticut, had
with polite burglar last Saturday
evening in the Fessenden apartments
in the Hargreaves. Seventy-second
street and Columbus avenae.
After Mr.. Fessenden's last unsuc-
cessful campaign for the United States
senatorship, he closed his house in
Stamford. Conn.,, and took apartments
in the Hargreaves. Mrs. Fessenden
died about six months ago. Recently
the family went to Atlantic City. They
returned last Saturday.
Mr. Fessenden, his two daughters
and his son dined together on Satur-
day in the Hargreaves. Miss Helen q.
Fessenden, the younger daughter, left
the table while the others were at cof-
fee, and went to their apartment on
the fourth floor in the extension. The
door was locked as usual. She applied
the key. opened and entered. few
steps along the interior hall. turn in
to a bedroom. and there he was-the
burglar of melodrama-cap, mask,
gum shoes, revolver, and all the rest
except the bull's-eye lantern, There
was no need of a lantern. The place
was flooded with electric light.
Il beg your pardon" said the burg
lar, raising his revolver and ieveiing
it at Miss Fessenden's pretty head,
but you compel me to do this by your
untimely return from dinner. fig
ured that you would linger over the
coffee a little longer.
He bowed as he spoke, but did not
lower the revolver.
Miss Fessenden. of course. was
speechless. but it looked as If she had
power still to scream, so the burglar
fastened to say:
Now. 1 wouldn't scream, please
Really. it isn't necessary. Won't you
sit down ?" And he pointed to chair
She did not sit down, but asked:
who are you, and what do you
want?"
''Who L am is of no Importance. -
he answered. with laugh that puffed
out of the lower part of his mask But
1 want your jewels. money-anything
valuable and easy to carry. And you
will save trouble by handing them
over right away.
do you really mean it?" asked
Miss Fessenden. puzzled by the mans
gently moduiated voice and civil bear
ing.
swered Hurry. please. or shall
have to take extreme measures"
"Oh. why don't you go to work and
| live an honest life?" she said. as she
! handed a purse to him Lifting the
veil of his mask. he counted the con-
tents of the purse. and found he had
| 50 and some small change.
"Just nv luck" he muttered. I've
| been getting lemons all winter But
] this time I thought I was in right.
How is it you are so near broke? You
ought to have it to burn by the looks
| OF things" he added somewhat pitt
fully. Haven't you any jewels?"
| mo: not here Miss Fessenden an
swered. I'm in mourning. and I don't
wear them now. I'm sorry I haven
anything more for YOU.
The burglar pocketed his revolver.
and said, little hoarsely: Here :
your purse. 1 won't take it. But you
| can do me a favor if you will. Tell
me how to get out of here. You see.
il isn't wise for me to go the way I
came--by the back stairs
| There is the other door" she said,
stepping aside for him to pass.
THE one that goes into the hall
! where the elevator is?'' he asked. mo.
thank you. Just show me to the fire
escape. and I will be greatly obliged
to YOU
Eager to get him out Of the place
Miss Fessendcn -aid: There is the
fire escape" and pointed to the end OF
the hall. AS he started for it, she said
as if IN self-reproach: 81 ought to
call some one to take YOU in charge
ooh no." replied the burglar, wheel
ing suddenly. and whipping out his
revolver, "Oh. no; don't do that"
| With his weapon leveled at Miss
lFessenden. he backed to the window
stepped on tn the fire escape. and dis
Iappeared.-New York World. u
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