The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
TRAPS FOR BURGLARS.
Westchester Mans Plan for Baggtng
Thieves without Risk.

In Westchester county, where many
burglaries have been committed recently.
people are asking one another what they
would do II they should awaken suddenly
some night and find burglar In the room.
The answers do not vary much. One man.
however, has, or thinks he has, solved the
problem.
what burglar Fears he said, SIS a
noise. 40 I have arranged a scheme that
think will work
Right In my bedroom Is big. healthy,
l2-inch gong. II Is worked by electricity
and the switch Is fastened on the inside OF
the sideboard Of my bedstead. out Of sight.
but very convenient to my hand as l lie
in tie bed.
When turn that switch there is racket
right there In the room that is enough to
set q man crazy, especially in the night
time. Just imagine that big gong starting
Its racket while poor burglar IL gathering
up q few trinkets TO take away with him
as souvenirs. I'll bet it would scare him
80 that ned drop his booty. and his inten.
tions with IL. and just light out.
Calculating. on this effect I have ar
ranged little surprise for burglarious
visitors: Fastened by it's lower end TO one
OF the banisters at the head Of the stairs
Leading to the parlor floor Ia a stick Of oak
an inch and half square. At the top it is
held IN place by catch such az holds the
front door In fiat house.
when l turn on the switch this catch
Ia released and the stick drops striaaht
across the stairway about six inches from
the floor. ! know burglar will run il he
TO do something for him after he leaves.
He will. naturally, rush for the stairs
and he won't he particular to examine tho
way to find out II 1t Ia just as he left il when
he came up.
Imagine him. then, rushing in terror
from my room and meaning to escape by
with his shins against that stick Whsn
he does Ill bet he won't 70 down the stairs
on his feet. OF course. I am not anxious
to hurt him, but II he will place himself
IN q bad position ! must do the best can
not useful member
IL the burglar lands on his feet, which Is
not likely, or Ia spry and well enough All, :
he strike the parlor floor to jump up a, d
run before /! can get to tho top Of the IT airs
heh Al right and safe enough, for all Of
advantage will try to have him put where
he will not commit another burglary for
some time. and this Is how I propose In
accomplish that trick.
In ono corner Of my bedroom keep a
double baIrelled shotgun. 1t is always
MY intention 10, when have scared
any burglar with the sound Of the big bell.
to jump from my bed, grab the shot gun
and reach the head OF the stairs az soon as
he reaches the bottom. Al my door is
another switch which will turn on the cleo
tho hight In the hall at the foot Of the 81 airs
! intend to turn this and let the poor fellow
zee where he lands. u he cares to look.
But the light will show me also where
no lands while ! myself will he in semi
DARKNESS. II ! am At the top OF the stairs,
where II IL not 40 dark that no cannot see nv
gun, and he Is In a bright light, think the
odds will no heavily on my side, especially
since he Ia certain to feel a little discom-
NODDED because Of his undignifed descent
Tho probability Ia that he will he kind
enough TO heed me II tell him TO stay Just
where he is. while my wife calls the police
on the telephone.