Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1917-04-20
Ny Burglary
1t Had Farrcach.ng
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By ELINoR MARSH

&-.s-s-.t-.s.-s.--..--
/ am Of an artistic temperament.
From my earliest girlhood had loved
beautiful scenes. l took to drawing
pictures early and in time became
water color sketcher. In summer time
| drove around in vehicle called
rockaway. drawn by an old horse that
had been in my family a long while
and in whom | bad every confidence.
At night l would sometimes stop at
hotel sometimes at farmhouse. and
occasionally would place my blankets
on grassy ground and spend the night
In bivouac.
One evening when l was some miles
from a town, which I expected to
reach before dark, Bob went lame.
Looking about for shelter-for could
not get on with lame horse--I espled
a short distance ahead Of me, perched
on a ledge, cottage. II was as artistic
a piece of architecture as l ever saw,
with its grounds and vines growing
over It. Indeed, the tout ensemble
constituted thing Of beauty. If
could only be permitted to spend the
night there would be delighted.
l managed to get Bob to the gateway
Of the place and up a short winding
road leading to the house. / was dis
appointed in not seeing any one about,
and as l drew near 1t occurred to me
that the place was unoccupied. The
blinds were not closed and there was
nothing to indicate that the house was
empty. What was 1t that told me that
the place was deserted?
Leaving Bob standing in the road
way, | went to the house and raped
on the front door with a brass knocker.
1t did not seem to me, if there had
been any one within, that those knocks
would have sounded so hollow. listen
ed, but there was no indication of any
one stirring Going around to the rear
1 failed to see any indication of a liv-
ing being. There were no chickens, no
dog, not even a lonely cat Only a
few flowers in beds near the house that
judged grew without being cultivated.
There was a woodshed and some wood
in it, but plenty of room for Bob in
case | should have to leave him there.
Looking In at a window, l saw a
library with a fine broad fireplace and
among the furniture a large lounge.
The sash was locked, and went to
other windows, but found them locked
also. A trelis led to an upper window.
1t looked easy to climb. and I went up
1t and found the sash unlocked. / went
into a bedroom and down a staircase.
The front door was locked and no key,
but | opened a side door by turning
the latch.
could understand the fascination Of
burglary so interested was l in appro-
priating the premises to my use for the
night. There was zest in temporarily
owning this place, so beautiful and yet
so desolate, which was enhanced by
my having to break into it and learn
what there was suited to my necessi-
ties.
The next thing was to unharness
Bob and give him his supper. Then
went into the house with my lunch box,
in which | always kept something and
In which | now fortunately had enough
to satisfy my appetite. There were
cupboards in which eatables might be
stored. but they were locked. After
eating | lighted lamp in the library
and looked over the books. 1t was evil
dent that whoever had filed these
shelves was a well educated and intel
ligent person. | have never before
come upon a library In which every
book had value. And what surprised
me most was that some of the books
weRs up to date. I read till quite late,
then, throwing myself on the lounge,
put out the lamp and went to sleep.
On awakening in the morning was
astonished to detect the odor Of coffee.
What did 1t mean? Was the house,
after all, occupied? Had the occupants
returned late? arose and went into
the dining room. The table was set for
breakfast, but for only one person.
Hurrying on, entered the kitchen. On
the range a kettle was simmering. and
there was a coffee Dot that emitted the
odor. A toast rack stood on the range
Allied. and a couple of eggs were ready
for boiling.
started 10 snd whoever had come
in 10 apoloeize for NV burglary and
NOT finding anv one on tho cround
aoor went cautiously ppstairs The
bedroom doors were omen as had laft