Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-08-14

MAY politely enquire your name and pur-
pose, now that we appear to have better un-
derstandng p said the editor.
MY name is Wood. | am proiessed thief"
''Sir !" SAID the editor, springing TO his feet.
| "Dant be so inpatient" quietly added the
visitor. "And even il it were IN my way"
looking carefully around, 'there is not much
here THAT would repay the risk"
"Ah! well--go on, MIR. Wood"
II am a thief, sir ~
That's candid enough, at any rate, Mr..
Wood"
| II understand you sir. But l am neither
pick pocket nor a highway robber. l am
burglar, cir, by profession, aud we'll known to
most of the police"
Don't you think sir, that could as convent.
emily listen to your confession with the key in
the door ?"
"You mistake me again, sir" said the visi.
tor. II had no intention to carry of your key.
But have something to say, to which am de
terInined You shall listen; and you'll excuse
me II | seem rather impatient, and singular in
my way # doing the business for don't choose
20 b interrupted"
Go on Mr.. Wood" said the editor. And
he threw himself back in the chair, half closed
his eyes, aud through the other half watched
all the motions Of his company.
MY name is Wood, | an celebrated as
burglar. The police know it, But we have
mutual interest IT. supporting each other. II
there were no burglars society would need no
police. If their were no police, burglars would
bs too abundant. All would become burglar,
and The bushes. would be Improbable"
"Curious philosophy"
GOOD as any other, sir, besides being prac-
tioal, and founded upon acknow Iedged social
facts instead of intellectual theories"
.'Well, well-go on"
street, the other night. You must have heard
of it. Seventeen thousand dollars were mis-
sing in three hours. l ilalter myself tia: that
was a neat job-credi'able even to my haud'
work."
The editor started.
ooh, h's all right, sir. The police knew ii
very we'll. But they have not the proof They
put therefore one-half the reward offered in
one private spot, and in another, the ne xt day,
they find all the missing goods. This you'll
perceive, is a fair business transaction" And
as the law must have u victim, q greenhorn,
whom took into the speculation with me Ia
watch the door, gets nabbed by the police, and
goes to the penitentiary TO keep out Of further
bad associations"
ia it possible ?" mused the editor.
"bn' did not come here to boast-And now
after this preface, which you will find necessary,
to enable you :ully to comprehend my position,
sir, let me explain the purpose Of my visit.
have faIp'Iy-a wife and three daughters.
ihsy are respectable as the world calls II. ihey
cal well, drink well, dress well, and were nap
py, until you, sir, nterfered with their felicity
and tried TO render them miserable"
II, sir, pooh" said the startled editor.
YES sr, you-but indirectly, oi course: MY
family did not share in my ignoniny They
passed ~ society by another name, and having
oom'or'ao'e means, were always welcomed oy
troops OF friends in every quarter. Yes, ''r'
'hey were happy. And II ever etJoyed my
self III my life, 1t was ia those moments when
having completed 'one professional job IN
truly artistic manner, have gone home conten'
ted aud listened to the endearing prattIe OF my
light hearted aud innocent Children
Here the robber wiIed away tear, and then
con'ihued--
"YOu. sir, have put an end to all this felicity
You have :1a'ehed from me my only cup of con
ISOLATION. You have plunged forth unsusp &c
ting, guitles' crsatures, into anguish and dis
tress, and have now come, sir, to see If you
!. have the heart Of man, or are disposed to strew
d with poison the life or path of these helpless
q beings, az an atonsment for what you may con-
J., ceive my depredations upon the community p
d IL don't understand you, SIR"
), II was temporarily arrested the other day
!, snd discharged. The next day started of fol
' Williamstown, n, to place my daughters at on Gle
Il giant school to fit them with tue accomplish
9 ments society deems indis pensable. lei
Q them thsre-went to BA,inore-r returned Il
|, Williamstown. At the school found your pa
}. Iper, sir; and your reporter, not content will