THE BOOTLESS BURGLAR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 70, 15 December 1937, Page 4

THE BOOTLESS BURGLAR

ntruder Leaves House in a Hurry NO B00TY, TO BOOT While it is quite within the bounds of probability that many burglar's have entered houses and left empty-handed, it is a rare oceurrence when, after painstakingly making an entry into a dWelling a nocturnal visitor leaves again With less property than that with which he arrived. Yet this happefied in a Hastings house recentiy, when, siirprised at his "work," an intrtlder hurriedly deeamped, without any bootv and leaving just outside the hdtise • perfectly good pair of lal'ge-Sized boOta. One evening this Weekj the head of a Hastings household awoke with a start. All Was not as it should be, h# felt. Reluctant to leave his bed, "the householder held his bfeath and listeiied. Yes, there was sotoeone prowiing about in an adjoining room. Duty called, but the citizen wai . nothing, if not a strategist. Collecting the member s of his family in formdtion about him he gallantly led tH* charge into the next xOoto. Aided by an extremely guilty conscience, however, the burglaf retreated rapidly, and disappeared down the road. Their night 's sleep completely spoiied, the family trooped back to th* door, to be confronted by two large objects on the step, Which clOser inspec* tion proved to be boots. From this it was dedueed that the visitor had wished to be a "pussyfoot.,> PefhapS hi was an amateur burglar, as otherwise he would have used crepe-soled shoes, Hbwever, such was the position — in exchange for a perfectly good burglai the household had a pair of boots that that would not, fit any of them. Strategy once more came to the-toro. It was obvious that the burglar did not mean the footgear as a Christmas gift. He would be baek. Adcordingly a traij wai set, &nd th# family was grouped in hiding places arOuud "Exhibit A." Half &n hour later the gate clicked, and the sound of stoekinged feet padding cautiously Up the path was heard. Once more th# watchers tensed, ready to pounce, but a slight noisC toade by one of the party betrayed their presence, and Once again the intruder deeamped. Thei'e it rests. If the burgiar wili Call for his boots any evening bcTtWgea seven and nine, he may be assured «f a warm welcoine.