The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-01-02
PLAYING BURGLAR.
Tragic Result of Practical Joke.
From the Chicago Tribune.l

From the Chicago Tribune
The killing of Mr.. Gould at TIE resi-
dence of his friend, Gen. Waite, by the
colored man, Joseph Winn, is one of
the most shocking events that has oc-
Cured in Chicago for many years; and
it does net relieve the painfulness of the
sod affair that the death of MIR. Gould
was not the result of malice, revenge or
evil intention. On the other hand, the
circumstances make it even more sor-
rowful than if it could be attributed to
any of the aforementioned motives.
With the testimony before them, about
which there could be no question, the
Jury of inquest could not do otherwise
than justify the homicide and dis
charge the prisoner, as no blame at
tached to him in the premises.
This testimony showed that Mr..
Gould and his friend, Gen. Waite, be-
longed to that altogether-too- numerous
class in the community known as prac-
teal jokers. Visiting the rooms of the
latter, they conceived the idea of play
ing practical joke upon his major
domo, Winn, who had stepped out for
moment and carelessly left the door
open, by making him think burglar
had been through the rooms, They
disarranged various articles of furniture
and clothing, and then went into the
bathroom and shut the door, to await
the result when VIM should return.
VIM came back, and, finding every
thing in disorder, naturally concluded
that thieves were III the apartment
and, securing Gen. Waite's pistol, he
commenced search for them. Find
ing that the bath room door, though
unlocked, would not open, and that
some one was standing against it, he de-.
manded of the occupants that they
should come out. Had their practical
joke ended at this point-had they
opened the door, or had one of them
spoken-the fearful catastrophe might
have been averted; but they only kept
silent and resisted Winn's effort to open
the door, Finding that he could get no
answer from them, and that he could
not make them come out, he drew his
pistol and fred through the door. the
ball entering Gould's head. Gen. Waite
then cried out in alarm, but it was for
over too late. The leaden messenger
had done it's work. The practical joke
had resulted in the almost instant death
of Mr.. Gould.
The fate of Mr.. Gould ought to be
solemn warning to all practical jokers.
It is only one more entry in the long
catalogue of pain, misery and death that
has been caused by this very question
able form of diversion. Over and over
again have long and painful sickness,
insanity and death been caused by this
thoughtless and foolish practice. The
joke of Mr.. Gould and his friend was
not whit less reprehensible than that
OF the idiot who points what he sup
poses is an unloaded pistol at his friend,
and finds out his mistake by the death
of his victim, or of the joker who
palms himself off as ghost upon some
timid person, and frightens her into in
sanity. There is no harm in an inno-
cent joke, provided it is done in the
proper place, at the proper time, with
out intention Of inJuring person or
exposing him to public ridicule, and
without the object of playing upon his
fears, his sensitiveness, or his personal
peculiarities and beliefs. No practical
! joker can be excused for playing his
pranks upon one who does not enjoy
them or appreciate then, or whose feel
ings are wounded by them. 1t seems
to be the peculiar belief of this class
that anyone can be the victim of their
fun and has no reason to complain of
the discomfort caused him. If practi-
cal jokers would confne their put-up
jobs F" to those of their own class, there
| would ha no grounds for crit;oiop, l,,,f
they are not warranted in going any
further. If they do, they must not
complain at the consequences.