The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-09-10
WHEN A BURGLAR COMES.

WHEN A BURGLAR COMES.
Points From Policeman as 20 the
Etiquette OF the Occasion.
II notice that the Star from time
10 time has advocated the infietion
OF the death penalty upon the convic-
tion of the crime Of HOUSEKEEPING,
holding that the burglar is at heart at
all times murderer" said head
quarters detective this morning, "and
none more heartily concur in this re-
commentator than the police Of Wash-
ington and Of the other large cities.
The recent cold-blooded murder by
burglar Of citizen Of Brooklyn in
the presence of his wife calls the
point to mind. It brings up sug-
gestion or two regarding these dis
tressing casualties which Recommend
to the citizens Of Washington as what
to do when you find burglar in the
house.
''In view OF the fact that the Legis.
laturea OF the different States do not
appear TO On willing to impose the
death penalty upon new offences, it
is probable that it will be years before
the Srst State may be won over to the
plan, so 1 suggest these rules:
''First, the best burglar alarm in
the world is small dog, kept in the
house at night. Whether of mongrel
or thoroughbred, he soon becomes ao-
customed to the ordinary noises about
the premises and in che neighhnrhnnd
and familiar with the footsteps Of the
ocoupsnts Of the house. I lodge where
there is pug, breed of dog not con-
sidered over bright, but I will give
any man OF peaceful intent or other.
wise new suit of clothes If he can
enter my house and, entering it. move
about that Pup will not detect his
his presence at once. Though she is
coward, she will bark the steeple off
church and raise enough full to float
fullrigged ship at the slightest un-
toward noise, however faint, though
may enter the house at any time Of
tho night or morning and be greeted
with affeotionate sniffs and grunts.
The house is not the place for big
dogs, which, il kept on the outside,
are as likely to bark at cats as burg
lars. Nevertheless, large we'll train
ed dog in the house is better than no
dog at all.
Second, il you see a stranger in
your room and your revolver ia close
at hand, always shoot at him to kill;
take good aim at his body, and not at
his head, as q larger target is present
ed and your bullet is more likely to
reach home. You are in all probe
bility not good shot, or, if you are,
you will more likely miss his head
than his body. Always fire twice,
and thrice if necessary before you
stop. ask questions no TO hhi5 pFo5-
enoe in your room at that hour after
ward. Have no more compnnction
about killing burglar than you would
mad dog; in fact, favor the dog.
Always remember that ne is in your
house unlawfully' for two purposes
to cob you and kill you il necessary;
therefore, whether expert or novice
with gun, never shoot to wound;
plant your bullets thick and fast into
his body.
"Third, il you have revolver, do
not Keep it in the bureau drawer, but
under your pillow, or within easy
reach by the side Of your bed 80 you
can get your fingers around the trig-
ger with the least possible movement,
and without getting up. If q man
ever needs revolver under these cir
cumstances he needs it right away,
and he should not have to go and hunt
it. Lie still in bed and shoot your
would.be murderer full Of holes: if
you get up he may make sieve OF
you, never forgetting that he is about
the vilest carrion on earth, and is
never willing to give you even fight
ing chancc for your life. It is always
dead men tell no tales with the
burglar, and you should apply the
axiom obligingly to him.
Fourth, IL you hear noise in the
house., or your wife hears it and wants
you to 60 down in the cellar with a
light, don't go. Don't light the gas,
either, to see what the noise is
about. The darkness makes perfect
oh o1&o, Al :