Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-01
a9listellansnns.
How we Trapped the Burglars.
by NORMAN A. CUTLER.

my tale is laid, In what we may term SUD-
district of London, for VIC were within five
miles of Charing Cross. and the dark month
of December was upon us. Robbers had been
frequent in our neighborhood, and no less
than three houses out of the ten in the Ter
race, had been entered by burglars, and rob-
bed, and yet no discovery of the thieves had
taken place. So ably, also, had the work of
entry been accomplished. that in no case had
the inmates been alarmed; and it was not
until the servants descended in the morning
that discovery of a robbery was made.
Tn two out of three cases, an entrance had
been affected through pantry window by
removing pane of glass, and cutting small
hole in the shutter. The window was on the
ground floor, and could easily be reached,
therefore, from outside In the third rob-
berry, an upper window was entered by means
of knife which forced back the fastening,
and of course allowed the sash to be raised.
So rapidly had these robberies occurred,
that the whole neighborhood was alarmed.
The police shook their heads, and looked
knowing, but did nothing, and, what was
much to be lamented, failed to find the clew
to the robbers, who, they at the same time
asserted, were evidently not regular cracks
men.
Affairs had reached such stage, that We
used to sleep with revolver close to our bed
side, when we happened to have friend who
came to stay with us u few days. This was
an old iungle-huntcr, and was au.t .tnt at every
article by which the animal creation might be
captured. He was delighted at the idea of
having an adventure with burglars, and
scorncd the belief that they were more than a
match in cunning for even the average bush
hunter. 1t was in vain that we assured him
it was an axiom that an accomplished robbcr
could effect an entrance into any house ; that
instruments were used Of such nature as to
cut holes in doors without noise; and, in fact,
that through roofs and skylghts, down CHM
neys, and up water spouts, an accomplished
burglar could easily enter the best defended
house in the kingdom.
Our friends argument was, that bur
gar was a man on watch, who took advan
tara of tho -ae.l-.-.- L.:.s ,.sievr and unsus
,v-....s': but" said he, /" let my suspicious
be raised, and will defy any burglar to en-.
ter my house without my having due warn
ing because. although may be asleep,
shall hear his approach, and can then make
my arrangements to welcome him"
Although we were not dcsirous of having
our house robbed, yet We wished much .ha
our friends confidence should be taken out Of
him. .--t..
A few days after the conversation, the
police Informed us that several suspicious
characters had been seen about, and recon.
mended us to be on the alert. Here, then
was good opportunity to test my friend:
skill and wakefullncss so, having Informed
him of the policcman's warning, I asked hin
if he felt confident to untcrtake the defence o.
the house.
Certainly" he replied, L only demand
dark lantern, and stipulate that you have {
pair of goloshes beside your bed. | also mus
20 to bed last, and no servant is to 60 dowr
stairs before me in the morning nor is any
one to walk about during the night: then
will defy the burglars"
Thus it was agreed that my friend was t
act the part of guardian, and was to COM
mcnce his charge on the ensuing night.
Three nights had passed, no alarms had oc
Cured, and no robbcries had taken place, ant
We began to think our alarms had beer
groundless but our friend said that now wa
the very time to be most guarded, for that nc
wise burglar would rob when he was expect
ed Besides he said, we have not had
windy night yet; 1t is when doors and win
dows rattle, and the chimney rumbles, tina
robberies are best affected, not when every
strange noise is audible. Thus. he said
he did not give up hopes Of yet having
something to say to the robbers before his viz
| it terminated.
l usually sleep very lightly, and therefore
awoke readily upon hearing tap at my bed
room door during the fourth night Of ou
watch. Itwas my friends voice that answer
ed me, and we were requested to come out a
once
GAS soon as strike lucifer-match,"
replied. ... ,....
,a'" Nonsense man: a light will spoil tn
whole thing. Come in the dark: slip on
dressing gown and your goloshes, and com
at once"
II soon provided as he wished. and read.
to decend the stairs in the dark.
"Now, remember" said my friend, tina
there are seven steps to the first landin
twelve other afterwards and the fourth ste
creaks abominably; so be careful to descen
without noise."
The night was boisterous, and many
window and door shook and ratified, so thi
the slight noise we made in descending tn
stairs was not sufficient to have alarmed eve
the most keen-eared listener. We descende
to the ground-foor. entered the pantry, an