The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-06-09
AZ BUR.

Nh. NNt 80 VA% FH1J
term ct OF London, tor We
were ". { miles of Charing Cross
and the month of December was
upon US. Robberies had been frequent
in our neighborhood, and no less than
three houses out Of ten in the terracehad
been entered by burglars and robbed
and yet no discovery of the thieves had
taken place. So ably, also, had the work
%ofentry been accomplished, that in nc
case had the Inmates been alarmed; and
it was not until the servants descended
in the morning that the discovery of a
robbery was made.
In two ont of the three cases. an en-
trance had been effected through a pan
try window, by removing a pane of glass
and cutting a small hole in the shutter.
The window was on the ground floor,
and could easily he reached, therefore,
from outside. In the third robbery an
upper window was enterrd by means of
d knife which forced back the fastening
and of course allowed the sash to be rails
cd.
So rapidly had these robberies occur
red, that the whole neighborhood was
alarmed. The police shook their heads
and looked knowing, but did nothing;
and what was much to he lamented, fail
ed 10 find any clue to the robbers, who,
they at the same time asserted, were evil
IDENTIFY not regular cracksmcn.
Affairs had reached such a stage. that
we used to sleep with a revolver close to
our bedside, when we happened to have
a friend who came to stay with us a few
days This friend was an old jungle
hunter, and was al fat at every artitice
10y which the animal creation might be
captured He was delighted with the
idea of having an adventure with bur
glars, and scorned the belief that they
were more than a match in cunning for
ever the average bush hunter. 1t was
in vain that we assured him it was an
action that an accomplished robber could
effect all entrance into any house, and
that instruments were used ofsuch Il ma
ture as to cut holes in doors without
noise, and in fact. that through roofs and
skylights, down chimneys, and up water
spouts, an accomplished burglar could
easily enter the best defended house in
the kingdom.
Our friends argument was, that a bur-
glar was a a on watch who took adj
vantage of the residents being asleep
and unsuspecting "but," said he, "let
my suspicious be raised, and l will defy
any burglar to enter my house without
my having due warning; because. al
though / may be asleep, still / shall hear
his approach, and can then make my ar
rangementS to welcome him"
Alftnnnh u-a ,-arn not lo,,. &c I,u-
ing u house robbed, yet We wished
much that our friends confidence should
be taken out of him.
A few days after this conversation, the
police informed us that several suspi-
cious characters had been seen about,
and recommended us to be on the alert.
Here, then, was a good opportunity 10
test my friends skill and wakefulness;
so, having informed him Of the police
mans warning, l asked him if he felt
confident of his ability to undertake the
defense cf the house.
Certainly" he replied; Il only de-
mand q dark lantern, and stipulate that
you have a pair of goloshes beside your
bed. also must 60 to bed last, and no
servant is to go down stairs before me in
the morning; nor is any M to walk
about during the night; then ] will defy
the burglars"
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 began to think our alarm had
been ~groundless bat our friend said now
was the very time TO be most guarded,
fOrn wise burglar would rob when he
was expected; beside, be said, we have
not had a windy night yet; it is when
doors and windows rattle. and the Chin
ney rumbles. that robberies are best eff.
fected, 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 visit ter,ni-
mated.
l usually sleep very lightly, and there
fore awoke readily upon hearing a tap at
my bedroom door during the fourth
night OF our watch 1t was my friends
voice that answered, and we were re,
quested to come out at once.
"As soon as l strike a hncifer match
I replied.
Nonsense, man a light will spoil the
whole thing. Come in the dark slip on
your dressing-gown and your eoloshcs,
and then come at ONCE"
was soon provided as he wished, and
ready to descend in the dark
Now, remember" said my friend,
there are seven steps to the first land
lug, twelve Others afterwards, and the
Fourth step creaks abominably, So ba care
ful to descend without noise"
The night was boisterous, and many a
window and door shook aud ratified. 50
that the slight noise wa made in descend
Ing the stairs was not sufficient to have
alarmed even tho most keen-eared listen.
er. We descended to the ground floor.
entered the pantry, and then standing
perfectly still, devoted ourselves to list,
ening.
In a very few seconds we heard a graf
ing noise on the shutter, then an inter.
val of quiet, aud again a noise; present
'ly the window was gently raised, and
again all was quiet. The noise of q hea-
wy vehicle passing the house seemed to
afford opportunity for a more decided
etort. for while the rattle Of the wheels
was loudest, a crack sounded from the
shutter, and we could hear that the bolt