The Wasp — 1891 — page 578: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two satirical cartoons about burglary and home security. The left cartoon depicts a burglar claiming innocence to a frightened homeowner, insisting he "never touched" anything despite being caught in the act—a transparent lie meant to mock criminals' brazen denials. The right cartoon shows an "Apparently Frightened Boarder" emerging from a closet labeled "Patent Burglar Exterminator," suggesting a commercial anti-theft device. The humor derives from the absurdity of such gadgets as home security solutions. Below these cartoons, the page transitions to articles about military encampments, California's World's Fair representation, and newspaper coverage of land disputes. The satire targets both petty crime and the era's often-ineffective security innovations.