Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-28
romaBurglar's
Note Book

uaQ TctiTcu-db NASeSAts Rci A>s~.
ently--but the old yearnins for gain
and adventure had swept me from my
moorings. and was once more on the
road making a little professional tour
and meeting with the usual nocturnal
adventures and varying degrees Of
success, when. one gloomy night
inadvertently committed the fatal
mistake which brought 10 a sudden
termination
But will not anticipate.
II will be better TO relate the hap
penings OF that iilstarred night In
their proper sequence.
Standing well back from the high
way, on a slightly eminence. in the
outskirts OF a thriving village, l had
noticed a large mansion. with we'll
kept lawns. extensive grounds. and
other external evidences (as viewed
from a distance). of being the abode
OF wealth and luxury.
/ naturally supposed 1t to be the
country residence of some million
aire, and although the owner doubt
less was not expecting a call from
me, | resolved to extend TO myself
the freedom of his luxurious abode at
the earliest opportunity and carry on,
If luck permitted. few specimens OF
plate and other souvenirs of the oc-
casion.
So the first dark night, armed with
the necessary tools and my trusty re-
yolver, I strolled out to the neighbor-
hood of the imposing mansion along
about midnight, and greatly to my sur
prise. found no trouble whatever In
making my way into the grounds.
There was a large iron gate at the
entrance, but 1t was not locked. nor
was there any watch dog on guard.
When | reached the house | saw
what had not before noticed, that
there were heavy bars to all the win
dows. This struck me as strange,
but some wealthy householders have
peculiar notions, and | chuckled to
myself at the idea which the owner
of this place evidently entertained
that the window bars furnished an
added security to his valuables. Just
as though a genuine housebreaker
minded such a tribe as a half-inch
wrought iron bar!
Selecting convenient window 1
produced chilled steel saw from my
kit of tools and made short work of
the bars. Then prying open the win
dow catch with thin knife blade, de-
signed for that purpose. cautiously
raised the sash and crawled inside.
| found myself In a long and CON-
paratively narrow hallway. at the fur
Their end of which door stood aJar;
and | confess that II gave me some
thing of a start 10 notice that lamp
was still burning in the room into which
this door opened. Could it be that the
inmates of the house hadspot yet re-
tired? | listened intently, but could
hear no one talking or stirring. All
was silent as the tomb.
The only sound that could hear as
| stood there was the beating of my
own heart. Evidently no one was
awake. The light doubtless was from
a solitary gas Jet or night lamp which
had been left burning. and instead OF
a hindrance would be help to me In
my self-appointed mission.
I determined to explore the apart
ment containing the light first. Noise
lessly tiptoeing my way along the
hall. reached the door, gently
pushed It open, and stepped inside.
The momentI had crossed the thresh-
old | saw thai had been entirely too
precipitste and unguarded in my &C
lions.
But 1t was too late to retrieve my
error or retreat A thick-set, dark
complexioned man. who had been
seated at desk IN the corner of the
room (which appeared to be some sort
of an offjce) sprang to his feet and
came quickly forward. before l had
a chance to draw my weapon or make
my escape from the room, and. SELF
ing both my hands in his powerful
grasp, cordially remarked:
"Ah, glad TO meet you, I've been
expecting you for some time"
"w-why." | stammered. vainly en-
deavoring to wrench my hands loose.
whom do you take me for,"
why, you are the noted author and
housebreaker who has been writing
the "reminiscences Of Busy Life by
a Retired Burglar for the Daily Com
ct and other periodicals, Of course, As
i say. have noticed your work and
have been on the lookout for you
for some time"
"And-and who are you, prsyT
Il? Why, ! am Dr. Straitjscket. the
head Of this restraining Institution in
to which you have so thoughtfuily
made your way, thereby saving your
friends the trouble OF bringing you
here. and"
Suddenly realized the terrible mis-
take that I had made. and struggled
No ionrcr Nv long and busy as well