Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1913-10-10
MYSTERY J ! |: 4 Y OF The
DESERTED HOUSE.
Strange Experience Of a Man
4. on Robbery Bent. .5

I- 3 E .s -+ .r..s
Il I've had every avenue Of escape cut
off, I've been chased over tin roofs.
I've been shot at. but never was ap
palled but once. and that was by 81
lence 6#T 3ST& 5'% - ri
4, I'd served a term for burglary, spent
what moneysI'd been given on getting
out and was looking for u job-not a
job of honest work. Id tried that on
getting out once before and found it
fmpracticable. When an ex-conyict
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 was
saying. ! was looking for a house to
get into and. walking OH the outskirts
of city saw one that struck me as
being very inviting. 1t 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 safe retreat made a
careful survey of tile premises. Nc
one happened to be visible in or about
it at the time. but there was plenty
Of evidence that it was occupied. New
ly 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 i took position In the
yard. shielded from the wind BIZ a car
riage shed. with d view to dstermintne
BY the lights what rooms were occu,
pied. The whole HOUSE was lighted.
got fntO a'vehicIa aud sat watching my
quarry. The seat was comfortable. and
| some blankets and robes that had beer
/ left Ia It kept. me- warzm: L The result
| was that I felt asleep. ,,,l :.f n r
+ When ] awoke every. light In fh,
\ house was out. a distant clock struci
L. got out, went to the house. took
pane Of glass, out OF a kitchen window
turned the ..catch." =. raised the. sasi
softly. pulled myself up and crawie,
inside. Striking match, I lit my darl
lantern and surveyed the roora. Every
thing had been putin order after tn
l evening meal "a fre was burning Ii
the range. went through pantry i
the dining room. Here. too. all was il
l. order. al Jul ~
Y Passing through the pariors. Ell
| tered the hall and went upstairs. tax
t Ing every precautiOn gainst waEin
A the Inmates. a bedroom door near til
lending stood ajar. L listened. br
II could hear; no one breathing. wel
A in and ie,t of the! bed. ~ There was II
a one in it. There being nothing Of vain
q in the room, passed on to the mex
h examined 1T and found it also enpt,
81 Coming to one of the front bedrooms
certainly expected to find it occupie
and entered it with all possible stealth
b listening long for the sound of sleel
T. ing being. That heard no such SCUM
/ began to affect my nerves. An empt
\ room is a good find for burglar. bl
III the advantage in this case was owe
| come by the unexpected vacancy Ma
/ CROPPED my way to the bed. felt of !
and found it unoccupied. Then. fasl
Ing my lantern about. ] saw woman
clothing that had been evidently take
u Off at bedtime lying on the chairs. Tt
woman had vanished.
went to another room and anoth,
with the same result. In some Of the
4 j found clothing that had been lai
aside, but no one In the beds. Nor
Of the beds showed signs Of havir
been occupied. went OH to ever
story, and not a single living beir
did I find There was some plumb
on the dressers. but not very niue
I, did not think Of taking it My mir
was fixed upon the lights / had see
in the house q few hours before al
the present absence of those who
\ the lights had served.
There is no similarity between da.
light and dark for weird impression
Ell One human being. even If a policema