Evening journal., 1909-11-13
A RETIRED
BURGLARS STORY
BY WILLARD c. IRVING.
copyright, 1909 by American Press Asso-
clation.l

TCopyright, 1903. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
I've had every avenue OF escape cut
or. I've been chased over tin roofs.
I've been shot at. but | never was APP
paled but once. and that was by ST.
lence.
I'd served term for burglary, spent
what money Id been given on getting
out and was looking for job-not a
Job OF honest work. I'd tried that on
getting out once before and found it
impracticabe. when an ex-convict
knows that he's liable any moment TO
be spotted and discharged II takes the
zest out OF him for work ia made mp
my mind there was nothing left for me
| to do but stick 70 my business, which
was burglary. Well. as ] was saying
/ was looking for a house TO get int
and walking on the outskirts OF city
saw one that struck me as being very
inviting. IL was In the center OF six
acre lot with no neighbors near
enough TO make II unpleasant for the
burglar and wood in the rear ar
fordlng a safe retreat. ! made a care
ful survey OF the premises No one
happened 10 be visible I'm or about Il at
the time. but there was plenty OF evil
dence that It was occupied Newly
washed clothes were hanging on the
lines; smoke was issuing from the
chimneys: chlldren's sleds and wagons
were scattered about IN the yard. The
only thing ! didn't like about II was
snow but II was old snow.
The night was cold and blustery. Al
about 10 o'clock ! took position in the
yard. shielded from the wind by car
riage shed, with view to determining
by the lights what rooms were occu-
pied. The whole house was lighted.
got into a vehicle and sat watching my
quarry. The seat was comfortable. and
some blankets and robes that had beer
left in II kept me warm. The result
was that fell asleep.
When awoke every light in the
house was out A distant clock strucl
1. got out. went TO the house. took q
pane OF glass out OF n kitchen window
turned the catch" raised the sasl
softly. pulled myself up and crawlet
inside. Striking a match. lit my darl
lantern and surveyed the room. Every
/ thing had been put In order after the
evening meal, A fire was burning In
the range. went through a pantry to
the dining room. Here, too. all was in
order.
Passing through the parlors. I en-
tered the hall and went upstairs. TAX
ing every precaution against waking
| the inmates. A bedroom door near the
landing stood ajar / listened, but
could hear no one breathing. l went
In and felt OF the bed There was 10
one in II. There being nothing OF value
in the room. / passed on to the next.
examined It and found It also empty.
Coming to one Of the front bedrooms,
/ I certainly expected TO end It occupied
and entered Il with all possible stealth
listening long for the sound Of sleep
ing being. That heard no such soun,
began TO afhect my nerves An empt
room is good end for a burglar. hu
the advantnge In this case was over
come by the 1uexnected vacancy.
/ hA0pS0 10 wy ~ tIC bSNs lStl VI .
and found it unoecupled. Then, dasl
ing my lantsfh abduts stsaw woman
clothing tiiats hsd ,bech evidently take
IA at hedtfmel fin gsonsthe chairs. Tn
woman had vRnlshed.
wentstolincrheF room and anothe
with the same result. In some OF thei
found clothing that had been lai
aside. but co one in fhe beds. Non
If the beds showed signs OF havin
been occupied. / went on to ever
tory ana not asihGie living bein
lid i hbd. There was some plund
IN thesdrrssers, hut hot very mucl
/ did not ;hlnk 5f,ta3dfg It. My min
was fxeds spR1p EheA lights had see
IN the berse a few2hours before an
he present absaiee OF those WHOM
the lights had served.
There Is no similarity between day
light ana dark for weird impressions
One human beinG. even IL policeman
would have broken the spell. feareS
4 haunted house. but feared NOR
that something In my brain had gon'