The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-12-25
MYSTERY OF The
DESERTED HOUSE
Strange Experience of a Man
on Robbery Bent.

Strange Experience Of a Man
on Robbery Bent.
I've had every avenue Of escape cut
off, I've been chased over tin roofs,
I've been shot at, but I never was ap-
palled but once. and that was by ST.
lence.
I'd served term for burglary, spent
what money I'd been given on getting
out and was looking for job-not q
job of honest work. I'd tried that on
getting out once before and found it
1mpracticable. When an ex-convict
knows that he's liable any moment to
be spotted and discharged it takes the
zest out of him for work I'd made
up my mind there was nothing left for
me to do but stick to my business,
which was burglary. Well, as l was
saying, l was looking for a house to
get-int and, walking on the outskirts
Of city saw one that struck me as
being very inviting. It was in the
center of six acre lot, with no neigh
bors near enough to make it unpleasant
for the burglar and wood in the rear
affording a safe retreat. 1 made a
careful survey Of the premises. No
one happened to be visible in or about
it at the time, but there was plenty
of evidence that it was occupied. New
~ washed clothes were hanging on
the lines; smoke was issuing from the
chimneys; children's sleds and wagons
were scattered about in the yard.
The night was cold and blustery. At
about 10 O'Clock took position in the
yard. shielded from the wind by a car
rage shed, with view to determining
by the lights what rooms were occu-
pied. The whole house was lighted. I
got into vehicle and sat watching my
quarry. The seat was comfortable. and
some blankets and robes that had been
left in it kept me warm. The result
was that fell asleep.
When l awoke every light in the
house was out A distant clock struck
1. l got out. went to the house, took a
pane of glass out of kitchen window,
turned the "catch." raised the sash
softly, pulled myself up and crawled
inside. Striking match. lit my dark
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, l en-.
tered the hall and went upstairs, tax
ing every precaution against waking
the inmates. A bedroom door near the
landing stood ajar. I listened, but
could hear no one breathing. l went
in and felt Of the bed. There was no
one in it. 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,
certainly expected to find it occupied
and entered it with all possible stealth.
listening long for the sound of Sleep
Ing being. That heard no such sound
began to affect my nerves. An empty
room is a good find for burglar, but
the advantage in this case was over
come by the unexpected vacancy. 1
CROPPED my way to the bed, felt of it
and found it unoccupied. Then, fash
ing my lantern about, saw a woman's
clothing that had been evidently taken
off at bedtime lying on the chairs The
woman had vanished.
went to another room and another
with the same result. In some of them
l found clothing that had been laid
aside. but no one in the beds. None
Of the beds showed signs of having
been occupied. I went on to every
story, and not single living being
did find. There was some plumber
on the dressers, but not very much.
did not think of taking it. My mind
was fixed upon the lights had seen
In the house few hours before and
the present absence Of those whom
the lights had served.
There is no similarity between day
light and dark for weird impressions.
One human being. even if policeman,
would have broken the SPELL l feared
a haunted house. but I feared more
that something in my brain had gone
wrong. Had that which had seen in
the afternoon and evening been an
hallucination or did now experience
something that was not? Coming to q
window overlooking the rear yard. l
flashed my lantern down into it. There
were the clothes still hanging on the
line walked back through the hall.
bringing my feet down heavily on the
floor that might hear a sound. The
carpet was thick, and there was but
a faint RESPONSE response that add
ed to my growing terror
Suddenly the rays Of my lantern
struck living figure. At once my in
stinct of preservation ordered me to
cover my light. did so and waited.
There was no sound. Believing had
been mistaken, mustered courage to
raise the lantern again. There was
the figure. but it was my own reflect
ed from q mirror