Holbrook argus., 1910-03-15
maBurglar's s
 Note Book

and adventure had swept me from my moorings, and I was once more on the road making little professional tour and meeting with the usual nocturnal adventures and varying degrees ot success. when, one gloomy night, inadvertently committed the fatal mistake which brought to sudden termination-
 But l will not anticipate.
 It will be better to relate the hap. EeRings Of that ilEstarred night ill their proper sequence.
 Standing we'll back from the high way, on a slightly eminence, in the outskirts of a thriving village, had noticed large mansion, with we'll kept lawns, extensive grounds, and 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, I resolved to extend to myself the freedom Of his luxurious abode at the earliest opportunity and carry of, if luck permitted, few specimens O. plate and other souvenirs of the oc- caSion.
 So the first dark night, armed with the necessary tools and my trusty re volver, 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 it was not locked, nor was there any watch dog on guard.
 When I reached the house I saw what I 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 I chuckled to myself at the idea which the owner Of this place evidently entertained that the window bars furnished an added security to lis valuables. Just as though genuine housebreaker minded such a triie as a half-incn wrought iron bar!
 Selecting a convenient window produced chilled steel saw from my kit of tools and made short work oi 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.
 1 found myself fin a long and con- paratively narrow hallway, at the fur ther end of which door stood ajar; and I confess that it gave me some thing of a start to notice that lamp was still burning in the room into which this door opened. Could it be that the inmates of the house had not yet re- tired? I listened intently, but could hear no one talking or stirring. All was silent as the tomb.
 The only sound that could hear as I 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 mad been left burning, and instead oi a hindrance would be help to me il 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 moment had crossed the thresh old saw that had been entirely toe precipitate and unguarded in my ac tiOns.
 Dut it was too late to retrieve my error or retreat. A thick-set, dark cOmplexioned man, who had beer seated at a desk in the corner of the room (which appeared to be some sort of an of1ce) sprang to his feet ana came quickly forward, before I had a chance to draw my weapon or make my escape from the room, and, seiz ing both my hands in his powerful grasp, cordially remarked:
 'Ah! glad to meet you! I've beer expecting you for some time"
 'W-why," l stammered, vainly ep deavoring to wrench my hands loose 'vbom do you take me for?"
 Why, you are the noted author anI housebreaker who has been writing the "Reminiscences of Busy Life b, a Retired Burglar for the Daily Com ct and other periodicals. of course. A l say, I have noticed your work an have been on the lookout for yo' for some time"
 "And-and who are you, pray?"
 Il? Why, am Dr. Straitjacket, tn head of this restraining institution iI 10 which you have so thoughtful made your way, thereby saving you friends the trouble of bringing yo here and"
 Suddenly I realized the terrible mi: take that I had made, and struggle DO longer. My long and busy, as we as variegated, career as hOusebreal er and author was ended. I had hrt ken into the Home for Incurables, 2 last!