Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-27

be embarrassing, but before we nave any |
more reflections there are some prac-
teal points about which wish you
would inform me. Howdid that wicked |
man, Mr.. Barlow, 1 think you called |
him, get into this house?"
The tall man looked at me for mo-
ment as if in doubt what he should say, !
and then his expression OF mingled
hopelessness and contrition changed
into one of earnest frankness.
81 will tell you, sir, exectly," he said;
al have no wish to conceal any thing.
have long wanted to have an opportunity
TO inform occupants of houses, especlal-
ly those in the suburbs, Of the insut-
ficieney of their window fastenlngs.
Familiar with mechanic devices as am
and accustomed to think OF such things
the precautions of householders some
times move me to laughter. Your outer
doors, front and back, are OF heavy WOOD
chained, locked and bolted, often double
locked and bolted, but your lower win
dows are closed in the first place by the
liqhtest kind of shutters, which are very
seldom fastened at all, and in the second
place by little contrivance connecting
the two sashes, which is held in place
by a couple of baby screws. III these
contrivances are of the best KIND ana
can not be opened from the outside Win
a knife-blade or piece OF tin the burglar
nuts a chisel or jimmy under the lower
sash and gently pressesit upward, when
the baby screws come out as easily as II
they were bah les milk teeth. Not for a
moment does the burglar trouble him
self about the front door, with its locks
and chains ara bolts. He goes to the
window, with its baby screws, which
might as we'll be left open as shut Tor
all the hindrance it is to his entrance,
and if he meddled with the door at all II
| il simply to open it from the inside, SO
that when he is ready to depart he may
do SO easily"
eBut all that does not apply to my
windows" said. "They are not fast
ened that way"
"No, SIR" said the man, "your lower
shutters are solid and strong as your
doors. This is right, for II shutters are
intended to obstruct entrance to house
they should be as strong as the doors.
When James Barlow first reached this
house he tried his jimmy on one OF
the shutters in this main building,
but he could not open 1t. The heavy
bolt inside was too strong for him. Then
he tried another near by with the same
result. You will find the shutters splin-
tered at the bottom. Then he walked
TO the small addition at the back OF the
house, whore the kitchen is located.
Here the shutters were smaller, and OF
course the inside bolts were smaller. Ev-
cry thing in harmony. Builders arc so
careful nowadays to have every thing In
harmony. When Barlow tried his jim
nv on one Of these shutters the bolt
resisted for time, but its harmonious
proportions caused it to bend, and II
was soon drawn from its staples and the
shutter opened, and of course the sash
was opened as / told you sashes are
opened"
"Well," said /, shutters and sashes
of mine shall never be opened in thai
way again"
at was with that object that I spoke
to YOU" said the tall man. 81 wish
YOU to understand the faults OF your
fastenings, and any information ] car
rive YOU which will bettereenable you
to protect your house / shall be glad tC
give it, as slight repayment Tor The
injury may have helped to do to yol
in the way of broken glass and spoiled
carpet. | have made window fasten
ings an especial study, and, II you EN-
ploy me for tho purpose, I'll guarantee
that | will put your house into condi
ton which will be absolutely burglar
nroof. If do not do this to your salts
faction / will not ask to DO paid
cent
eve will not consider that PROPOSE
ton now" said, ''for you have othei
engagements which would interfere
with the proposed job" ! was about
to say that thought we had had enough
of this sort of story, when Aunt Marthi
, interrupted me.
at seems to me-" she said, speaking
to the tall burglar, that you have in
stincts, and perhaps convictions, o
what is right and proper, but it is plaii
that YOU allow yourself to be led and in
| fiuenced by unprlnclpleu Yum PahiOna
You should avoid even the outskirts o
evil. You may not know that the pro
posed enterprise is bad one, but 70
should not take part in it unless 20
know it is a good one. In such case
YOU should be rigid"
The man turned toward my aunt an
looked steadfastly at her, and as h
L gazed his face grew sadder and sadder.
"Rigid." he repeated, "that is hard.
YES" remarked, ''that is one of tn
It meanings of the word"
i Paying no attention to me, he cor
tinued:
MADAM, said he, with deep Patio
O in his voice, "no one can be better awar
y than am that have made many mi;
!: takes in the course Of my life, but tina
q quality on which think / have reaso
q to be satisfied with myself is my rigidit
n when I know thing is wrong. Their
u occurs to me now an instance in my CT
!, reer which will prove to you what l sa,
y 81 knew man by the name of Spo