Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-06-19
M iseslla ne q II s .
Burglary and Burglars.

Burglary and Burglars.
The writer of the Cincinnati Enquirer
makes the following revelation of rather
all Unusual personal experience:
One night, while engaged in the prac-
tice of law. we were poring over some pa
pers in our Office, When a very decided
rap on the door interrupted our pursuits of
facts and law. At our bidding the door
was opened, and a middle aged man walk
ed in. He walked towards US as we offer
ed a chair, and sitting down in an easy. off
hand manner, opened the subject of his
visit.
Il and friend of mine, sir did little
ball business on the hillside this afternoon
and my friend was arrested Il little while
ago.
We were somewhat startled at this an
nounccment. 1t was nearly midnight and
before us sat the spcaker-a square should
cred, square headed man-quisc able to
dispose OF us and rob our premises, were
he so disposed. His face was not unpeas
ant having well defined, good natured
expression about the mouth, which lit up
by soft, blue eyes. and altogether exhibited
face of more than usual intellect He
interrupted our stare, for he went on to
say:
1t was miserable. mean business sir
quite below my calling. | am house,
breaker. My name is Whitleck. But my
friend was in 1t before | &C uld T., moustratc,
and, of course, stood by him. wan,
You to defend him to morrow. Here is a
fee of fifty dollars, and an order for my
property at the hotel, for must keep oul
Of the way for while.
We promised to see his friend in the
morning, and Bill WhtIock, burglar by
profession, withdrew. The next day we
went to the Mayors Office to attend to the
interest of our client and found Ii m charg
ed. not with prac,cing the ball game. but
with highway robbery. lind what aston
islcd us more was, that instead of Whit
lock being charged as an acconplice. the
police had arrested the well knowu jim
Armor. The prosecuting witness swore
positively not Only that he had been rob
bed, but that Armor was one of the rob
bers We knew better, for Mr., William
Whitlock. house breaker, had given us "A
nice question of legal coniidt nee, that is.
how far we were bound to protect Mr..
Whitlockl He had come to us rs an agent
of his associate and employed us as such.
Taking this view of the case we gave the
police our information and an active search
was set on foot for the real offender. Ar
NOR and his associate were bound over, and
the night of the examination Mr.. Whit
lock walked into our office. He seemed to
be much amused at the account of Armor 5
arrest and not at all disconnected when we
4 |. c.l. =. a..
lice.
All right. sir, > he said. 4 supposed
some one had told the stupids, for they
doggcd me to this place. and arc now
watching at the foot Of the stairs.
After an hours conversation the house
breaker took his departure.
At last the trial came to an end, and
Whitlock made his last visit to bid Us
good by and tender thanks for our ser
vices. As he was going out we inquired
asking pardon for the question, how it was
he happened to escape from the polio,
while Visiting our otlice.
Simplest thing in the world, sir, Ia!
ways come in some sort of disgusc--a
broad brimmed hat and spectacles and wig
or some sucii nonsense as lnat' Threw
them oil III the dark corner OF your vesti
bu!c when came III. When went out
knew the chaps We're at the door lhrs
waited until you went home. and then un'
locking your door with a false key, | re-
manned all night. Very good sleeping OF
your sofa sir, Did good service in re-
turn, sir--run out thief one night.
we thanked him tor his ln!o''tation' hut
suggested that as the police We're aitel
him. and he could not practice the ole
dodge, we feared he would come to grief
Not at all sir he repI't'i;, The Pc
nee are discouraged ana don't hgi:rve ! n
about; They get thirsty. t"o' like oihe'
oliicials, and go down to the corner to drunk
w hen they do, friend at mine walks hl