Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-02-06
A Literary Thief.

n AnltA III IiiSl'
DR.. c. II. Roberts, of Poughkeepsie, visited
New York few days ago, and spent ON evening
at the Acadamy of Music. While there he had
his pocket picked of Q wallet containing forty or
fifty dollars in bank bills and some papers. A lter
returning home h. received from the pickpocket
the following letter, which he handed over 10 the
Poughkeepsie Eagle for publication
NEw YouK, Jan. 8, 1858.
DR.. Charles II. Ruberts-Dear Sir IL had
the pleasure of relieving you of your pocket
book on the evening of the I'd, in crowd at the
Acadcmy Of Music. presume you soon became
aware of your disposscssion, and have perhaps,
had some anxiety as to the application of the
funds it contained. You have my assurance that
they have fallen into npprccatiye hands, and
that every cent will be applied in gratifying the
tastes aud fancies Of a fellow being whose amb-
ton scars higher than his calling. You need
not natter yourself with the idea that you have
my acquainlai ce, because ! favor you with my
correspondence; do Doctor, diyest yourself of
that ambition.
| write you in accordance with the law of
honor among thieves, and TO 10 YOU the Justice
OF returning TO You the two enclosed pieces Of
paper, which are of value TO you and worthless
to income heing a Eote pa, able to your order
and the othera formula for making teeth neither
OF which can ever I've available to me, as m,
present employment probably pay better, ard is
business more pleasing to my tastes From
the date tf the note | concluded that you had
been in town several days, which may account
OF the lighlness of your purse Now, doctor,
proper respect for gentlemen Of my calling should
never allow your purse to become SO low it is
hardly up to the average of usual coilections.-
hen, have reason 10 protest against gentlemen
oi your standing carry ing lncurent money. 1t
Is under serious consideration to return to you
the 80 on Morris County Bank, n. j., which
find at considerable discount; the six fvcs on
the Poughhecpslc banks go current and the few
smaller bills can be easily disposed Of by per
son OF my habits. From the name and recipe
which found in the pocket book, concluded
that you are the well known dentist who long
since did me much service in your line Of bust
ness, while pursuing my avocaton in Pough-
keepsic.
Now, Doctor, don't consider it New York
hospitality to extract purses in return for extract
ing teeth, but remember that all have TO do
something for a living. You were following
your ayocation on me. and was only doing the
same on you when you visited our city--anl
this case affords a fair example of the compare
tive points of our business You spent much
time and received small fee, mine was an opera
lion OF q moment. When | consider this diff
ference and the gentle manner with which you
attended to inc, am quito inclined to return
your purse ard contents, but that would be un-
professional, and beside would involve a lo. S Of
time on my part, for such crow is do not occur
every day, even in New York but lie assured
that had recognized you would have spent
the time appropriated to You upon some other
person. The only reason | can ascrbe for not
ycu is, that never saw you but
once before, and presume that when you come
to the city you dress up in your best, and look
very different than when attending 10 your busi-
ness at some. This little lesson may be of SER
vice to you, and learn you that pocket hooks are
not safe in crowds, and if you are ever caught in
one again, let your vigilance be directed to your
purse in proportion to its dimensions.
Yours, Iycoa.