The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-07-07
How we Trapped the Burglers.
FROM CHAMBERS JOURNAL.

for we were within five miles of
lCharing Cross, and the dark month
of December was upon us. Robber-
les had been frequent in our neighbor
hood, and no less than three houses
out OF the ten in the Terrace had been
entered by burglars and robbed, 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 il was not until the SER
wants decended in the morning that
the discovery of a robbery was
made.
In two out OF the three cases, an
entrance had been effected through a
pantry window, by removing a pane
Of glass, and cutting a small hole in
the shutter This was on the ground
floor, and could easily be reached,
therefore, from the outside. In the
third robbery, 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 the robberies oc-
cured, that the whole neighborhood
was alarmed. The police shook their
heads and looked knowing but did
nothing, and what was much lament
ed, failed to find any clue to the rob-
bers, who they at the same time as
serted, were evidently not regular
cracksmcn.
Affairs reached such state, that
we used to sleep with revolver close
to our bedside, when we happened
TO have friend who came to stay
with us n few days. This friend was
an old juugic-hunter, and was an fa,t
ut every artifce by which the animal
creation might be captured. He was
delighted at the idea Of having an
adventure with burglars, and scorned
the belief that they were more than q
match in cunning for even the average
bush-hunters, IL was in vain that we
assured him it was and axiom that an
accomplished robbcr could effect m
entrance into any house: and that in
struments were used of such q nature
rs to cut holes in doors withoutnoisc.
land, in fact, that through roofs and
slY.li-hts, down chimnevs, and up
water. spouts, an accomplished bur
glar could easily enter the best de-
Tended house in the kingdom.
Our friends argument was, that q
burglar was q man on watch, who
took the advantage of the residentF
being asleep and unsuspccting; but,
said he, "let my suspicious he raised
and | will defy any burglar TO enter
my house without my having due
warning; because, although / may be
asleep, still, | shall hear his approach
! and can then make my arrangement.
to welcome I'm
Although we were not desirous o.
having our house robbed, yet We
wished much that our friends con
! lidence should be taken out Of him.
A few days after this conversation
I the police informed us that severa
suspicious characters had been seer
about, and recommended us to be OF
the alert. Here, then, was good op
, portunty to test my friend skill ant
wakefulness; so, having informed hin
g Of the policeman's warning, | asked
him If he felt confident to undertake
the defence Of the house.
Certainly" he replied; "I only
demand Il dark lantern, and stipulat,
that you have pair OF goloshes be
> side your bed. also must go to bee
last, and no servant is to go dowI
stairs before me in the morning; no
is any one to walk about during th,
night; then I will defy the burglars,
Thus it was agreed that my tricnc
> should act the part of a guardian, anC
was to commence his charge on th,
: ensuing night,
Three nights had passed, and ne
alarm had occurred, and no robber
les taken place; we began to think ou
alarm was groundless; but our frient
said that now was the very time tC
be most guarded, for that no wis
burgler would rob when he was ex
pected; besides, he said, we have ne
/ had u windy night yet; it is whel
h doors and windows rattle, and tn,
| chimney rumblcs, that robberies ar,
: best effected not when every strang,
noise is audible; thus, he said, he dit
not give up hopes Of yet having some
thing to say to the robbers before hii
visit terminated.
| usually sleep very lightly, anC
therefore awoke readily upon hearing
, n tap at my bedroom door during th,
fourth night of our watch 1t wa
Q my friend S voice that answered me
and we were requested to to come on
} at once.
Gas soon as / strike a lucire
match, 1 replied.
u "Nonsense, man; light will spoi
the whole thing. Come in the dark
slip on dressing gown and you
n goloshes, and come at once
20 l was soon provided rs he wished
and ready to descend the stairs in tn
dark.
"Now, remember" said my frient
"there are seven steps to the frs
9 landing, twelve others afterwards
!, and the fourth step creaks abomina
bly,, so be careful to descend withou
noise"
The night was boisterous, and man,
window and door ratified, so tina
= A.. .I.a-lk =, o;,o mo ,,,olo - Iocoo, 4