Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-23

travel in rst-ClaSs carriages! nugged mySel
at the notion of having secured so promising
companion, and that, too, after such couple o
previous escapes
"But how do you know2" urged, because
had nothing better to say, and was determined
at all risks, not to suffer the conversation t.
drop; "how do know you that somebody won
steal them9"
81 don't know" replied the other, with con
temptuous dryness, "but do not think it prob
able; the articles would fetch SO small prc,
that the reward would be likely to be quite a,
remunerative as the swag itself, and, of course
without the risk"
The swag Did anybody who travels first
class ever hear such an expressiona / was 6
great deal piqued, also, at the tone of annoyance
in which he spoke, and replied, tartly:
81 don't understand thieves logic, nor the Ian
guage either"
"Ah, l do" responded my companion, care
lessly. And he resumed his paper.
We had passed Rugby, and were flying through
the dark dominioDs of King Coal, before either
of us again broke silence.
"Come," cried my bsre-headed acquaintance
suddenly, "there is no occasion for rs two t.
Quarrel only nothing puts me so CIT of temper
az to see man proud of his ignorance. Now
you are keen, long headed fellow enough,
can see, but you don't know anything"
"Perhsps not" replied, still annoyed by the
mans manner, and at the unaccustomed position
of second fiddle, in which found myself; "bn
have really no ambition to learn thieves log
ic."
"What type of the respectable classes of this
country you do afford" mused the other coolly
sin this your excessive obslinacy and concelt.-
You have no ambition to learn, and yet, dare
say, that you, yourself, are concerned, either d
rectly or indirectly, in endeayoring to Diminish
crime, and to put down the profession OF roguery
You help to elect member of Parliament VIII,
votes upon social subjects; you subscribe to be
nevoent associations for the moral rescue o
criminals; you consider the convict question tc
be an exceedingly important one, and yet you
Here the irreverent individual absolutely burst
out laughing.
"What would you think Of doctor. now, who
had prescribed for a patient in the particular
feature of whose case he had really no ambition
to inquirer"
~ am not DOCTOR" ioared, out of all pa
tience; "and wish that all the thieves in Eng
land were to be hung tomorrow"
"The country would be very sadly depopula.,
ted,' replied the other, mpassively; 'you and
would certainly never meet again."
"This is downright insult" exclaimed, with
Indignation; II shall take care to change carria-
ges and company at the very next station"
NAY, sir, meant no offence, responded my
companion, gravey, II referred only to myself
| AZ being doomed to be cut off in the flower of
nv days, if your wishes should be carried into
effect | have been pckpocket from my very
cradle; and" he added, after pause, ~ am
thankful to say that have not been altogether
unsuccessful in my vocation"
| was startled for an instant by the mans Sc.
rousness, and instinctivey- although he was at
the other end of the compartment-looked tor
his wicked hands. They were lying on his lap
before him, neatly goved, one of them still hold
ing the paper
"Ah," he said, smiling, and at once compre-
hending my glance, "tlIese are nothing. They
are mel ely my whited walls, my outside respect,
abilities, my charities, my prayers before my
business proceedings. We have our little by.
pocrisies like the commercial world. See here, !"
he rose up to his full height, and the lemon ool-
ored aristocratic hand fell on the floor with a
third. Here are my natural digits," he con-
tinued, producing another set OF digits uEgloved,
and not particularly clean "nobody can suspect
man of picking pockets who always keeps his
hands before him, and reads the City Article in
the Times" :,
"You were reading the advertisement sheet"
said, intensely interested, but still inclined for
contradiction.
"Yes, sir" he retorted, "because saw that
pretence of that kind to person of your intelli-
eence would be futile. always change my tao
tics with my company"
began TO feel very tenderly for this poor fel.
low, whom, doubtless circumstances had driven
to his present dreadful calling, but whose mental
endowments had evidently fitted him for far bet
ter things.
But" urged "why not have picked my
pocket, my good young man?"
because, SIR" he answered, 81 ain now bent
on pleasure, and moi on business, unless some
thing very enticing should come in my way ;
open and unreserved conversation too. such as
felt could indulge in with you, is to one in my
situation" (the poor fellow sighed "too rare a
happiness to be easily foregone; besides, he ad-
ded, resuming his natural tone, "you don't carry
your bank notes in your pocket at all.
II felt myself glowing all over as red as beet
root or boiled lobster, but managed to articu'
late as calmly as could, 'Bank notes al, that's
a good joke. very seldom have anything ct
that kind to carry, I'm sorry to say"
"Yes, but when you hayea" interrogated the
other silly
"Well, sir, when l have, what theni" l re-
torted, with assumed carelessness.
| "Why, what very strange place" remarked
be, very slowly and impressively, your neck
cloth seems to be for keeping them safe !" =.
"How the deuce did you come to know thatF
l cried in astonishment.
"What does it Signity2 What can be the val
ue of thieves logic9" he answered, derisively.-
~ am sure you can have no am ition to be in'
formed"
pray, tell" entreated, "pray tell. | hum
bly, apologize" had very nearly robbed ysell
of most interesting conversation through my
illhumor. ut is very true that have num-
Der of Scotch notes in the place you mention
which my purse would not hold; but what on
earth made you discover it ?"
ut was very simple reasoning" he replied
and scarcely needs explanation; stiffners are sell
dom worn now, and yet your neckerchief had
something in it; you were anxious about thai
something, and put your fingers to it involunts
rily dozen times ; it was not through sollctude
for your neat appearance, tor you never touched
the bow of it; nor did the thing misht you, OIL
tickle your neck because instead of scratching
you simply tapped it, as man taps his foo to be
assured-there, you're doing it now-of the safe
ty of his watch"
"What fool am - / exclaimed, testify.
"Nay," said he, ut would be more civil tt
compliment me upon my powers OF ebserva
ton"
II do compliment YOU" I replied, with can
dor. "l think you an exceedingly clever fellow.
| III - .o;I ba I,it il NOT for ma to Snpal