The Shasta courier., 1868-05-09
SHASTA COURIER.
BURGLARY AND BURGLARS.

The writer of the Cincinnati Enquirer
makes the following revelation of rather an
unusual personal experience
lone night while engaged in the p actice
of the law, we were porting over some papers
in our Office, when very decided rap on the
door interrupted our pursuits of facts and
law. At our bidding the door was opened,
and middle-aged man walked in. lie
walked toward US as we offered char, and
sitting down in an easy. off hand manner,
opened the subject of his visit.
Il and friend of mine, sir, did a little
ball business on the hillside this afternoon.
and my friend was arrested little while
ago"
We were somewhat startled at this an
nouncement. 1t was nearly midnight. and
before us sat the speaker-a square shoul
6ered square headed man-qulte able To-
dispose Of us and rob our premises were he
so disposed His face was not unpleasant.
having a we'll defined, good natured express
sion about the mouth, which was lit up by
soft blue eyes, and altogether, exhibited
face of more than usual intellect. lie inter
rupted our stare for he went on to say:
1t was a miserable, mean business, sir
quite below nv calling. ] am house
breaker My name is Whitlock. But my
friend was in it before could remonstra e,
and, of course stood by him. ! want you
to defend him tomorrow Here is fee ol
fifty dollars, and an order fo, my property aI
the hotel for | must keep out of the way r
while.
We promised to see his friend in the morn
ing and Bill Whitlock, burglar by profession,
withdrew The next day we went to the
Mayors office to attend to the interest of OR
eliant ouH fnnp1 him ,.la rupl with
practicing the bali game, but with highway
robbery. And what astonished us more was,
that Instead of Whitlock being charged an
accomphce, the police had arrested the well
known Jim Armor. The prosecuting wit
swore positively not only that he had
been robbed, but that ArmOr was one of the
robbers. We knew better for Mr.. William
Whitlock, house breaker, had given US cor
rect version OF the affair. He pressed upon
us a nice question of legal confidence, that is,
how far we were bound to protect Mr. Whit
lock He had come to us as All agent of his
nssociate and employed us as such Taking
this view of the case we gave the police our
information and an active search was set on
foot for the real offender. Armor and his
associate were bound over, and the night of
the day of the examination Mr.. Whitlock
walked into our Office. lie seemed much
dIuuSeu dI Tue dCCbuil vi y diiCSl
not at all disconnected whrn we Informed him
of the re. clation TO the police.
'Al right. sir, he said. | supposed some
one had told the stupids for they dogged me
TO this place, and are watching at the
foot of the stairs
After an bour's conversation the house.
breaker took his departure :
At last the trial came to an end, anu Whit
lock made his last visit to bid us good-hy'
and tender thanks for our services. As he
was going out, we inquired, asking pardon
for the question, how 1t was he happened to
escape from the police while visiting our
Office.
Simplest thing in the world, sir.
always come in some sort OF dlsguise-a
broad brimmed hat and spectacles and wig,
or some such nonsense as that. threw them
of in the dark corner of yoGr vestibule when
came in. When l went out | knew the
chaos were at the door | first waited until
YOU went home, and then unlocking your
door with false key | remained all night
Very good sleeping on your sofa, sir. Did a
good service in return, sir--run out a thief
one night
We thanked him for his information, but
suggested that, as the police were after him,
and he could not practice the old dodge, we
feared he would come to grief
.. Not at all. SIR he replied. The police
are discouraged and don't believe I'm about.
They get thirsty. too, like other officials,
and go down to the corner to drink. When
they do, friend of mine walks by whist
ling your national melody, Yankee Doodle.
Sure enough at that moment the national
melody was heard, and Mr. Whitlock hastily
bidding us good night. withdrew. During
these visits of consultation, he gave us some
useful hints on the subject of housebr
ing.
When locking up for the night leave the
key in the lock- but turn it so as to pass
the key hole. leaving it as it was before you
took hold of it. If in addition you have Il
bolt your room is safe. BY this simple pro
cess you prevent the door being opened witt
an outside or skeleton key.
No one ever breaks into a dwelling house
without some previous acquaintance Will
the inside, and general knowledge of til,
inmates very cultivated burglar some
times has plans furnished him. But gener
ally a personal investigation is considered
necessary.
Should you hear an unusual noise in tn
night. do not strike light. or sing on
who's there The light blinds you, an'
shows the intruder your position, while tn
shout only proves you to be alarmed. Tie
up softly. wait few minutes, then steal t,
the place whence the noise proceeded. anC
then cock your pistol. The click Of tn,
deadly instrument com-etes the business
Never thurst your head out of a window ant
shout = watch 1t only alarms the m y
and brings no relief. Your unwelcome in
truder cooIy ties up is plunder aud walk.
of while you shout.
Never put your pocket book or a.ch un
der your head at night. There-is where our
midnight visitor looks for them Never be
alarmed. Your house breaker is more afraid
then you possibly can he; aud when you
catch him only say qnietly, be still, or
shoot.'''
The Wires CoNMANDMESTs--We find
the following correct version in az exchang,
which we publish for the enlightenment o
doubling husbands. Read s: