Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-11-05
My Last Break

4 had retired--as l thought, perma
7s'ly''. but the old lust for gain aad
-Sentlrre had swept me from ny
noorings. and was once more on the
road making a little professional tour
through Westchester County, and
meeting with the usual nocturnal ad.
sentures and varying degrees Of sue.
CESS when. one gloomy night, mad
.srtedly committed the fatal mistake
Shich brought to a sudden termina,
lon
But will not anticipate.
Itswill be better to relate tho hap
ienings OF that ill-starred night IN
heir proper sequences
Standing we'll back from the high.
say, on a slightly eminence, in the
utskirts Of a thriving village, I had
oticed a large mansion. with well.
ept lawns. extensive grounds, and
'ther external evidences (as viewed
rom a distance) Of being the abode
I wealth and luxury.
naturally supposed II to be the
'untry residence Of one Of New
ork's many millionaires, and
hough the owner doubtless was not
pecting a call from me, resolved
extend to myself the freedom Of hts
curious abode at the earliest oppor.
atty and carry of, If luck permit
l. a few specimens Of plate and
her souvenirs Of the occasion.
SO the first dark night, armed with
o necessary tools and my trusty re-
'sfer, | strolled out to the neighbor-
ID OF the imposing mansion along
nut midnight, and greatly to my
Prise found no trouble whatever In
ling my way into the grounds.
ere was large iron gate at the en-
nee, but It was not locked, nor was
ere any watchdog on guard.
When / reached the house ] saw
at had not before noticed, that
IRE were heavy bars to all the win
ss. This struck me as strange, bat
'..e wealthy householders have pecu-
= notions. and l ohuckled to myself
the idea which the owner of this
aee evidently entertained that the
,ndow bars furnished an added Sc
srity to his valuables. Just as
ough a genuine housebreaker mind.
such trifle as halfinch wrought
IN bari
Selecting a convenient window, /
Gduced a chilled-steel saw from my
of tools and made short work Of
bars. Then. prying open the win
W catch with a thin kpife-blade, de-
sned for that purpose, cautiously
ised the sash and crawled inside.
[ found myself In a long and COM
rauv0ly narrow hallway, at the fur
er end of which a door stood aiar;
d I confess, that 1t gave me some
ing Of a start to notice that a lamp
as still burning in the room into
mich this door opened. Could It be
at the inmates Of the house had
OF yet retiredl l listened intently,
IT could hear no one talking or stir
Ig. All was silent as the tomb. The
aly .sound that / could hear as
.ood there was the beating Of my
xn heart Evidently no one was
wake. The light doubtless was from
solitary gas Jet or night lamp which
ad been left burning, and instead Of
hindrance would be a help to me
4 my self-appointed mission.
I determined to explore the apart
ent containing the light first. Noise
'ssiy tlptoeing my way along the
AL. reached the door. gently pushed
. open. and stepped inside. The mo-
.ent had crossed the threshold saw
lat l had been entirely too precipi.
te and unguarded in my actions.
But It was too late to retrieve my
.ror or retreat. A thick-set, dark
man, who had been seat
at a desk in the corner of the
ON. (which appeared to be some
It OF an Ofiice.l sprang to his feet
d came quickly forward. before
d a chance to draw my weapon or
ke my escape from the room. and,
.zing both my hands in his powerful
lisp. cordially remarked:
"Ah! glad to meet youl I've been
recting you for some time"
"W-why." stammered, vainly en-
savoring to wrench my hands loose,
yhom do you take me for7"
Why, you are the noted author
ID housebreaker who has been writ.
g the "Reminiscences Of Busy Life
a Retired Burglar for the Daily
onet and other periodicals. OF
lurse. AS say. have noticed your
jrk and have been on the lookout
II you for some time"
"And-and who are you, pray2"
Il? Why, / am DR.. Straidaeket,
head of this restraining institu-
on into which you have so thought
lily made your way, thereby saving
iur friends the trouble of bringing
" here. and"
Suddenly realized the terrible mis-
ke that ] had made. and struggled
, longer. My long and busy, as well
variegated. career as housebreakeI