, 1861-08-15

subscribe to benevolent associations, for the
moral rescue Of criminals; you consider the con
vict question to be an exceedingly important
one, and yet you-."
Here this irreverent individual absolutely burst
out laughing. "What would you think Of Z
doctor, now, who had prescribed for q patient
into the particular features Of whose case hC
had really no ambition to inquired"
81 am not a doctorl" l roared, out Of al
patience; "and wish all the thieves in Eng
land were tn be hung tomorrow"
The country would be very sadly depopu
lated" replied the other, impassively; "you anC
would certainly never meet again"
This is downright insult" exclaimed with
indignation. 81 shall take care to change car
riagys and company at the very next station"
Nay, sir, meant no offence" responded my
companion, gravely; 1 referred only to mysel
as being doomed to be cut off in the flower o
my days, Il your wishes should be carried int
effect have been q pickpocket from my very
era le, and, added be, after o pause, "l an
thankful to say that have not been altogether
unsuccessful in my vocation"
was startled for an instant by the mans So
riousness, aud instinctively he was al
the other end Of the compartment-looked foI
his wicIed hands They were lying in his lar
before him, neatly gloved, one Of them still hold
ing the paper.
"Ah," he said, smiling, and at once compre.
bending my glance "those are nothing. They
are merely my whited walls, my outside respec
liabilities, my ostentatious eharitieT my prayers
before my business proceedings. We have oui
little hypocrises, like the commercial world
See here" and he rose up to bis full height, and
the two lemon-colored aristocratic hands fell on
the floor with third; "Here are my natural
digits," he continued, producing another set Of
digits ungloved, and not particularly clean; "no'
body can suspect man Of picking pockets who
always keeps his hands before him, and reads
the city article in the TiWes"
"You were reading the advertisement Sheet
said, intensely interested, but still inclined fO'
contradiction.
ayes, SIR" he retorted, "because I saw that
pretence Of that kind, to person Of your intel
ligence, would be futile. ! always change my
tactics with my company"
began to feel very tenderly for this poor iel.
low, whom doubtless circumstances had driven
to his present dreadful calling, but whose mental
eHdOwments had evidently fitted him for better
things ....
"But Why" urged, not have picked my
pocket, my good young mani"
Because, SIR" he answered, "Iam now bent
on pleasure, and not on business, unless some
thing very enticing should come in my way;
open and unreseryed conversation, too, such a
Ifelt could indulge In with You, Is to one ia
my situation" (the poor fellow sighed) too rare
. happiness to be easily ioregone; besides" be
added, reassuming his natural tone, "you don't
carry your bank-notes in your pocket at all"
I felt myself glowing all over as red as beet
root or boiled lobster, but managed to aFtieu-
late as calmly as could, "Bank.nOtesl ah, that's
a good joke. very seldom have anything ol
that kind to carry, fm sorry to say"
ayes. but when Won have 7" interroeated
the other. slvly. =
aWell' sir. when have. what fhenl" re.
torted, with assumed carelessness.
"Why. what yerv strange placen ~ remarked
he, very slowly and impressivelv; "your neck.
cloth seems 70 be for keeping them safel"
How the devil did YOU come to know thatf'i
{ cried in astonishment. 'F9 TT1l
"What docs Il signifye What can be the
value Of thieves logicS" be answered, derisive,
ly. GIam sure vou can have no ambition to be
informed
GPray. tell" I entreated. "a prav. tell F.: Ihum.
bly Apologize l had yerv nearly robbed nv.
self Of most interesting Conversation through
nv ill.btmor. ali a yeIv true ibnt / have 4
number N scotch notea in the Mace Won man.
ton. which nv nurse would not hold but what
on esrtb mads Won discover itfn - a-
all WAS verv s;mDIe reasoning" he reblsea
e and scarcely needs eaplsnal;ona stilTnsTs ~
seldom worn now. and yri yoIr neckerchief had
sometime In II. Won were anxions abont thal
SomethinS. and mi your fingers n h jnvolunta.
riIv 4 dozen times Il vas not thror9h solicitnde
for YOUR neat Appearance. ior Won never touched
the how Of Il !. nor dId the tiSinr fnisiit Won ~
tickle your neck, because instead of scratchinr
Won siinpIy tanned Il as 4 man fans his Sob 10 ny
sssuredEtbere' you're doing X now-of t6s
salety Of his watcb.n
"What a fool / am ~ I exclaimed testilv.
"Nay," said he, ait would BE- more civil to
al do compliment Won. Ireplied with candor
IL think YOU an exceedingly clever feIIow."
"weIl,S said be, ait Is not for me to speak