Litchfield enquirer., 1865-06-15
From Chambers Journal. HOW WE TRAPPED THE BURGLARS

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 district of London. for We were within five miles Of Charing Cross, and the dark month of De cember was upon us. Robberies had beenfre quent in our neghborhnod, and no less than three houses out of ten in the terrace had been entered ny burglars and robbed and yet no dis covery 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 il, the morning that the discovery off robbery was made. 1a | In two out of the three cases. an entrance had been effected 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, l therefore, from outside. In the third robbery, an upper window was entered by means of q knife which forced back the fastening, and of course allowed the sash to be raised
 So rapidly had these robberes occurred, that the whole neighborhood was alarmed The police shook their heads, and looked knowingly, but did nothing and what was much to be la mented failed to find any clue to the robbers, who, they at the same time asserted were evi- dently not regular crackspen
 Affairs had reached such a. 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 a few days. This friend was an old jungle hunter, and was au tat at every artifce by which the animal creation might be captured. He was delighted with the idea of having an adventure with burglars and scorned the belief that they were more than a match m cunning for even the average bush hunter. It was in vain that we assured him 1t was an axiom that an accomplished robber could effect an entrance into any house and that instruments were used of such nature as to cut holes in doors without noise, and in fact that through roofs and sky lights, down chim- neys, aud up water-spouts an accomplished burgler could easily enter the best defended house in the kingdom.
 Our friends argument was, that burglar was man on watch, who took advantage of the residents being asleep and unsuspecting :; but Said he, let my suspicious be raised, and l wil,defy any burgler to enter my house with out my having due warning because, although may be asleep, still shall hear his approach and can then make my arrangements to vel come him. <r 4s
 Although'we were not desirous of having our house robbed, yet we wished much to have our friends confidence taken out of him.
 A few days after this conversation, the po- lice informed us that several suspicious char acters had been seen about, and recomme nded us 10 be on the alert. Here, then, was good opportunity to test my friends skill and wake fulness; so, having informed him of the police mans warning, asked him if he felt confident to undertake the defense of the bouse.S
 Certainly he replied j; I only demand a dark lantern, and stipulate that you have pair of goloshes beside your bed. also must go to bed last, and no servant is to go down stairs before me in the morning. then will defy the burglars -.it
 Thus it was agreed that my friend was to act the part of guardian, and was to commence his charge on the ensuing night
 Three nights had passed, and no alarms had occurred and no robberies taken place we be- gan to think our alarm had been groundless :; but our friend said that now was the very time to be most guarded, for DO wise burglar would rob when he was expected besides, he said, We have not had a windy night yet; it is when doors and windows rattle and the chimney rumbles, that robberies are best effected, not when every strange noise -is audible thus, he said, he did net> give up hopes yet of having something to say to the robbers before his visit terminated. a.4~e sa@ -ez ag.5aaz- 9.
 I usually sleep very lightly, and therefore woke readily upon hearing tap at my bed room door during the fourth night of our watch. It was my friends voice that answered me- and we were requested to come out at once.
 As soon us I strike lucifer match,' re- piled. @.. E-.
 Nonsense. man; light will spoil the whole thing. Come in the dark slip on your dress ing-gown and your goloshes, and come at once.' ~
 was soon provided as he wished, and ready to descend the stairs in the dark. a ~
 Now, remember.' said my friend, there are seven steps to the first landing, twelve others afterwards, and the fourth step ereaks abomi- bly,, so be careful to descend without any noise.'s ,, e5 < sees -.s- The night was boisterous, and many win dow aud door shook and rattled, so that the slight noise we made in descending the stairs l was not sufficient to have alarmed even the most keen cared listener. We descended to the groundstioor, entered the pantry and then standing perfectly still, devoted ourselves to listening
 | ~s-sss4.sa-sza,sass#5esgs~.~ . 1 In very few seconds we heard a prat;no noise on the shutter, then an interval of quiet and again noise presently the window was val gently raised, and again all was quiet. The noise oi heavy vehicle passing the house seem ed to afford opportunity for more decided ct. ort. for while the rattle of wheels was Ioutdest