Sketcher. MY BURGLAR FRIENDS ; OR, A JOURNALIST'S MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1571, 29 July 1882, Page 6

Sketcher. MY BURGLAR FRIENDS ; OR, A JOURNALIST'S MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

By M. Quad.

Any newspaper reporter, or at least any attached to a daily journal, will tell you that there are certain seasons of the year -when people refuse to commit suicide, when there are no victims of murder, when railway-trains refuse to smash, and burglars and thieves insist on remaining inactive. No reporter is required to iurnish just a ccitain amount of matter each day, but most reporters are ambitious to furnish all they can ; and .so, a\ hen these dull times come, the journalist takes longer tramps, writes of matters which would be overlooked in •' good times, "and does his best to keep up the show of local news. Years ago, when I was a member of the local staff of a New Orleans daily we had a bad summer of it. Accidents weic hardly known ; few new buildings were going up, and Aye had to " draw 1 out ' on things to make even half a show. We finally started the interviewing business. One of the boys gave the experience ot a gambler, another the adventures of a river pilot, and in time we had worked up everybody but the burglais, It was left to me to hunt up someone who could enlighten me on the mysteries of midnight \ isits in search of "swag" and "&ugar." I believed I could find a man, or half a dozen of them. I had in my mind's eye a saloon near the river where a suspicions crowd Avas always congregated, and I knew that two fellows known "Big Sam" and "Awful Dave" had just came out of State prison and Avere hanging around the place. Were Ito enter the saloon, day _or night, inquire for one of those worthies, order the drinks, and then fiankly tell him Avho I a\ as and that I wanted him to give me the foundation for a general aiticlc, Avhy, of course, he would do it. &o I aigued, and a\ hen the time came around that such a sketch would "help out, "I made my agreements. I went down to the saloon one Friday afternoon, and I had the luck to find both men in. After beating around the subject for a spell I came directly to the point. I did not ask them to criminate themselves m any way, but to furnish me an insight into their mode of "putting up" andexcuting "jobs." "Well, now, you've got us," replied Dave. "We couldn't begin to tell you. It all depends on Avliat you mean to do. You might go into a house by the hall door one time, by the window another, and next time you might not go in at all. We go accordin' to circumstances. Circumstances often knock all plans on the head." T wautcd to get them to talking on the subject, and did not much care what they I said, as I calculated to pnt my imagination i at work and give in someadventures which would be considered "tall" even by old piofessionals. I learned from the men what at tides constituted a burglar's "kit,^ Avhat they cost, and some other facts ox interest, and thought I secured about all needed infoimation, when Dave detained me. " We can give you some big tilings in this { line' if you will go to a little trouble. We know where theie's a 'ciacky' lying low just now, who can talk to you all night, and he'll give you some almighty big points." I replied that 1 would go to considerable trouble to interview the man, and asked how the meeting could be brought about. "Easiest thing in the world," he continued. " Come back here at 10 o'clock to-night and avc'll go Avith you. Mind, now, if you go to ' blow' on us to the detectives you'll get yourself into a muss !" I was aninuoccntass, 18 years old, and though living in the city seA'cral years, had not sense enough to warn me that the company of such men after night Avas dangerous. It did not strike me then as it did afterwards that the men Avoro* too willing to oblige me in a matter of no interest to them, and I agreed to ictiuii to the saloon at 10 o'clock I was free of duty after 9 o'clock that night, there being no meetings," lectures or outside business on the diary. I mentioned the fact of my engagement to the city editor, and he warned? me that I had better break it. The men might lead me into trouble. He said so much that I gave up the idea, and slipped my revolver from my pocket to the table drawer. Having an hour to while away before bedtime, I set out for the theatre. I Avas not four blocks from the office, when I ran against the two convicts. They recognised me in a moment, and insisted that I should descend into a basement saloon and take a glass or a cigar. They anxiously inquired if I intended to keep the appointment, and appeared disappointed when I informed them that other engagements prevented. ' ' It Avas only a step — only two or three blocks," remarked Dave. "We ai-e both hard fellows, but we wouldn't neA'er think of harming you. We were just doing it to oblige." The two talked so much that I forgot tlie words of the city editor, and' at length resolved to accompany them. I proposed to use only aii hour's? time, but they said this Avas enough not only to hear "Crack's" story, -but "to examine his u kit" of burglar aud safe blowing toold. Blessed.fool that I Avasj to > think that two burglars 'were to take me to the' hiding place, of another, aiid-givenie.sCll tlieir 5 secrets,^ knowing that' I > might ■^telow^on'tbim inTtialf ah- hputffa|tsM< vßUt^Mo'ugh'i^nlKof l ih^iteii} > .»fAltßli4y: -" Buj|te%fl|Vs^e^bJo*wers.^sHo^ \they

making many excuses, lie stated that everything was all right and that we should proceed at once. I was inclined to hang back now, as the hour was so late, but I had not the moral courage to back square out, and passed up the street with them. I do not know how far we walked. We passed up one street, down another, turned here and there, and I finally got lost. We got into a quarter of the city where I had never been more than to ride through in a carriage. 1 thought it odd that we should look for a "cracksman" in the aristocratic quarter of the city, but the men kept plying me with questions in regard to my profession, ami I had no opportunity to express my doubts or surprise. "You've got your revolver, of course?" inquired Dave, as we passed along. " No, I left it at the office," I replied, but was next moment sorry that I had admitted the fact, as I saw Dave give his companion a sly nudge with his elbow. New Orleans was not well policed in those days. One seldom saw a blue coat off the business streets either day or night. Had we encountered one now, I should surely have left the burglais to continue on alone, as I had become nervous and afraid. But we did not even meet any pedestrians. The night was cold and chilly, and at that late hour most of the citizens were in bed. " Here we are ! Now walk softly, and keep your mouth shut !" whispered Dave, as we entered an alley. It wab quite dark, but I could see that we we were passing down between the krgc residences, the abodes of wealthy men. Dave led the way, and he presently halted at a gate, unlocked it with a key, and in a moment we were on the lawn in the regar of one of the houses. " Why, how's this ? This isn't " " See here mi&tor reporter !" whispered Sam, whipping out a long knife and catching me by the collar. ' ' There's no use fooling you any longer ; you've got to go in with us !" " I won't do it ! I'll bhout if you don't let me go !" I replied. " You will, will you !' ' hissed Dave, also displaying a knife, and fastening his fingers on my arm. "If you want to die right away ju&t raise one squeal !" I was so weak that I eat down on. a stone dog used as a lawn ornament, and while Davo held me there Sam pulled of my boots. He then removed his own, took off both our hats, and then Davo continued : " Sam and you are going into the house after swag, and I'm going to watch. If you make one cry, or hang back, I'll put this knifo in you. If yo'i go to raise an alarm in tho house, Sam will kill you oven if he has to awing for it !" It was nearly midnight now. I could hear no sound" from cither quarter, and I know that a bhout or half a dozen of them, would not biing help before tho follows had killed me. I had got to go in with Sam or be murdered outbide, and I replied that I would go in. I had strong hopes that we could not get in., or that our operations would raiso an alarm and scare the burglars away. Sam signified lhat he was ready, and we all proceeded to the back steps. A voraudah ran clear across the rear end of the houao, which had a basement, pud while Dave fetood at the foot of the stairs, Sam and I mounted them. Ho first tried the door. It was locked, and he luseitcd a pair of nippers into the key- . hole. A low oath escaped his lips, for tho key had been removed, and he had no false ones. Softly as a cat he next cried one of the windows, but that was fast, and another oue was tried Avith the same result. Then his "jimmy" came into play. Pulling the iron bar, which had a "claw" at oue end, from under his coat, be inserted the "claw"under the sash and gently down on the lever end. The s>ash went up a little, making scarcely any noise, and in two minutes the nail Avhich held it down had given way. Had there been a spring in the sash, he could not have raised it without alarm. With his hands he raised the &ash to its full height, slijjped something between it and the casing, to pi event a fall and, then turned to me and whispered. "We are going in now. If you try to play dirt on me, I'll murder you, if it's the last thing !" There was no escape, and I followed him iv over the sill, hoping evory moment to hear souuda to show that the people had been alarmed. We had entered a pewing room. A machine stood in one corner, and several half -paper garments wero lying 1 on chairs. I saw this only after Sam had opened his dark lantern. Wo'moved boftly to the door leading out, and I watched him as he opened it. Although I was close beside tho door, I heard no sound as he turned the knob. When ho knew tho bolt was free from it's catch, ho lifted up the door, so that it should not squeak, and in a moment wo were in a sitting-room. Sam held xip the light, until he saw the the room was not occupied, and then we passed on to a door loading into tho hall. This was opened without noiso, and Sam led tho way to the foot of tho stairs. He seemed to know that all but tho servants slept above. "Now, do just as yon see mo domind how !" no whispered, as we got ready to ascend He went ahead, holding his lantern so that the light shone down behind him. With his left hand on tho railing 1 , he mounted two stops at a time, stepping on tho extreme edge of each stair that he touched, so that there should bo no squeaking. I followed on, not daring to disobey him, and directly we were at tho head of ths stairs. Here wo found another hall, with doors losing 1 into a parlor and into bedrooms. VV'hat guided him I do not know, bnfc Sam passed by two or three dooi-s and stopped lat another and softly turned the knob. Passing the lantorn over to mo, with a warning shake of the hand, ho grasped the knob and turned it untilhe found the door was locked. Out came the nippers, and were inserted into tho key -hole, without the least noise. They grabped the key, and Sam twisted his arm over to unlock the door. I expected to hear a click when the bolt was withdrawn, but there was" no sound. I W.as amazed at his wonderful skill. He*.then\graspod the knob again, whispeie'd'.fco^me to blind the light, and in ten seconds hd had swung the door back. v ~ As it went back. . I he f ard tho deep breathing of persona.,, in Bleep. Sam took the lantern; pincHod' iny arm, and we entered the roVinV Sinking down to the *floor,no opened the lantern, passed its light ar'euudr" and I made out that we were in ' tKe bedroom of the proprietor. A 1 dress aritf other articles of female wear ■yyere lying on alpunge, '' and a coat and pair of nants'V.ere on a'chair. -We moved up to the^bVair^crawlinpr likfec'atsr ' Sltn^'aMed'me th'f 2 light, and he care- '■ fully lrismt^aftne|^lMhirig.T;'l Irom'1 rom' >he coat-heitqpk' a* large 'walfe^'" and from i the"> V&fc? « attioleCinOT : ;toil^|s^^i|!pp#

the bed groaned in a fearful way, and I fully believed that the man was waking up. My heart was almost in my mouth, and I prayed that he might not, as I knew that Sam would not hesitate to murder him. Neither one of us hardly breathed for five minutes, and then the regular breathing of the sleeper notified us that he was fast asleep again. Sam placed the lantern on a chair, opened it so that its light fell directly on the dress-ing-case, and on that alone, and he put his mouth to my ear and whispered : " Go over there and get the jewellery ! Remember, if you wake him up, I'll kill you both." As I crawled away, he stood up, knife in hand, and stooped over the sleeping man. If he had not been nearer the door than me, I should have attempted to escape out of the room. But I realised that auy alarm would arouse the sleepers and that murder would be committed. I had a double interest, now. If I was not careful, I should be the caußO of a terrible crime, and so I crept across the room as softly as possible, and was presently at the caso. I had my mind made up not to take anything from it, but I knew that Sam was watching me, and that I must make a show of searching;. lligbt on the top of the case was a set of diamonds and a lady's gold watch. These I covered with a handkerchief and then pulled out the drawers. Sam glared at me through the semi-darkness in a warning way, and raised his knife ver the sleeper. He told me by his look and action that if made any noise he would murder the man. I pulled the drawer? out, made a show of searching, and then oropt back to Sam and reported that I found nothing. He passed mo the light, crept across the room, and in a second had discovered the watch and stowed them away. Coming back, he bekoned to me that we were ready to go down. For some reason, he did not care to enter the other rooms, perhaps thinking that ho had secured all the most valuable " swag" in the ono room. We observed the same caution going downstairs as in coming up. On the way down it suddenly flashed over mo that the men would murder mo as soon as getting clear of the house. They dare not let me escapo to be witness against them. They had wanted a tool to act tho part which I had acted, and when through with me, they would remove all chances of my ever appearing against them! I trembled so that I came near falling. I must escape them, but how ! I had almost determined to slam the door against Sam as we passed through the houso, and then scream out, when, as we pas&ed down the hall, we encountered Dave. Ho conversed with Sam for a moment, and then wo all passed along into the dining-room. They were after the silver plate. Dave walked right up to the door of the closet, which was at the head of the stairs leading down to the rooms of the servants. The key had been forgotten and was in the lock. As he carefully swung back the door we saw tho plate glisten, and Dave passed me the lantern. Sam crept to tho table, removed tho cloth, and then spread it on the floor. Dave passed into the closet, which was not over three feet square, and he passed one thing after another until only an icepitchor remained. He seemed to have doubts of its purity, and began cutting at it with his knife. Sam watched him for a moment, and then passed in to satisfy curiosity. I was beside the door, and Sam's hand rested on tho casting, now was my chance. Like a dart of lightnink, I grasped the door, and s wrung it shut on Sam's fingers, and as he drew them out, I turned the key, braced my shoulder against the door, and sung out, l% Robbers ! thieves ! police !" as loud as I could. It seemed an hour to me before any one moved, though ifc was not throe seconds before a man-servant leaped out of bed. Sam and Dave had no show. With both in tho closet, there was no room for a rush at the door. They kicked until splitting "a panel, and fired through, hoping- to kill me. Within sixty seconds two men-servants and the master of the house were in the diningroom, one of the men having a shotgun. "I am 1 of the Daily !" I hurredly explained to them. "I have got two burgulars in hero ! Come quick !" Fortunately, the men understood me audit, and offered rao no violence. While tho° master of the house informed the prisoners that he would give them a dose of buckshet through the door if they made further demonstration ono of tho men alarmed the neighbours, and afterwards the police, and in about half-an-hour my friends were invited to walk out and accept the hundcuffs. A more savage pair I never saw. Dave shot at one of the officers, and was in turn badly wounded, J and Sam had his nose broken by a blow from a baton. They sworo the most fearful vengeance on mo, promising to roast me alive. But I went on the witness stand, saw them leave for the penetcntiary for twenty years each, and then I made a resolution to let tho interviewing bubiness alone in the future. — Detroit Free Press. _