Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-31
WHEN A BURGLAR COMES IN.
Practical Points on the Etiquette of
the Occasian.


Practical Points on the Etiquette of
the Occasian.
Il notice that the Star from time to time
has advocated the infection of the death
penalty upon conviction of the crime of
housebreaking, holding that The burglar Is
at heart all times a murderer" said a
headquarters detective quoted by the
Washington Star, and none more heart
lily concur IN the accommodation than the
police OF Washington and Of the other
large cities. The recent cold-blooded
murder by a burglar OF a citizen Of Brook
Ign in the presence OF his wife calls the
point TO mind. 1t brings NY a suggestion
or two regarding these distressing casual
ties which 1 recommend TO the citizens
Of Washington as what to do when you
find a burglar in the house.
In view Of the fact that the l~egisla-
lures Of the different states do not appear
to be willing to impose the death penalty
upon new offences, 1t Is probable that 1t
will be many years before the first state
may be won over to the plan, 80 l suggest
these rules:
First, the best burglar alarm in the
world is a small dog, kept N the house
at night, Whether mongrel or thorough
bred, he soon becomes accustomed to the
ordinary noises about the premises and in
the neighborhood and familiar with the
footsteps OF the occupants OF the house.
l lodge where there js a mug. a breed OF
dogs not considered over bright, but l will
give any man Of peaceful Intent. or other
wise, a new suit of clothes II he can enter
my house and, entering 1t, move about so
sAnk Dt,na Min naf dafacf his nraaanCQ af
once. Though she is a little coward she
will bark the steeple of a church and raise
enough fuss to float a tull-rlgged ship at
the slightest untoward noise, however
faint, though 1 may enter the house at
any time Of the night or morning and be
greeted with aifectionate shifts and grunts.
The house is not the place for big dogs.
which II kept on the outside arc as likely
to bark at cats as at burglars. Neverthe-
less, a large, we'll trained dog in the house
IL better than no dog at all.
Second, II you see a stranger In your
room and your revolver is close at hand,
always shoot at him to kill; take good
aim at his body and not at his head, as
a larger target Is presented, and your
bullet is more likely to reach home. You
are in ali probability not a good shot,
or, II you are, you will more likely miss
his head than his body. Always nre twice,
and thrice II necessary before you stop.
Ask questions as to his presence in your
room at that hour aftsrward. Have no
more conjunction about killing a bur-
gIar than you would a mad dog In fact,
favor the dog. Always remember that he
Is in your house unlawfully for two pur-
poses-to rob you and to kill you II neees-
-AN n.HA-A aw nauN1
with a gun, never shoot TO wound; plant
your bullets thick and fast into his tody.
Third, II you have a revolver, do net
keep It in the bureau drawer. but under
your pillow, or within easy reach by the
side OF your bed so that you can get your
fingers around the trigger with the least
possible movement and without getting up.
II a man ever needs a revolver under these
circumstance he needs 1t right way, end
he should not have to go and hunt II.
Lie still in bed and shoot your would-be
murderer full Of holes; II you get up he
may make a sieve OF you. never forget
ting that he is about the vilest ca-rion
on earth and is never willing to give you
even a lighting chance for your life. It
is always dead men tell no tales with
the burglar, and you should apply the ak
iom obligingly to him.
Fourth. II you hear a noise In the
house or your wife hears It and wants
you 10 go down in the cellar with a light,
don't go. Don't light the gas. either. TO
see what the noise is about. The dark
ness makes a perfect shelter for the bur-
glar, while the light makes OF you a per-
feet target for his bullet. Many men have
been shot TO death or wounded because
they followed the natural impulse TO get
up and strike a light. Get your revolver
well gripped, lie still and await develop
ments. which are sure to come II the noise
is caused by a burglar. II he comes into