Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-29
The Thief Market Of the MetrOpOlis.

Summer is the season of activity among |
thieves. A certain portion OF them throng |
TO the watering places, while the burglars, |
with keen eye for business, remain in the |
city, and pay almost exclusive attention 10 |
the brown stone fronts, deserted by their
owners II would be difficult 10 determine
the exact number OF thieves in the city. AT
least ten thousand persons-men, women
and childTen-in and about the metropolis
subsist manly If not wholly by appropriate
ing the personal property of other people.
There IS popular superstition afoal
which separates this lawless portion OF the
inhabitants into classes, according 10 their
several methods OF prosecuting their depre
daiions-as burglars, robbers, pickpockeis,
! shopliliers, and dock thieves; and which
confines each ciass 10 one speciality But
tllR is q mistake. A dock thief of to-day
may figure In the police annals OF to morrow
as pickpocket Tho sneak thiei, who gains
entrance at midday TO your hall IN pursuit OF
umbrellas, gold-headed canes and overcoats,
may possibly be recognized next week in
the more bold operation of smashing the
show window of iewelry store, and scizlng
rich tray OF diamonds. SO, too, the en-
terprsing scoundrel who begules small
: boy into presenting forged check at bank
counter, Is not above taking seat IN n
, butchers cart and following an unsuspect-
I ing victim whose occupation may call him
+; into the suburbs with goodlY amount OF
funds in his possession. A more entcrprs-
2 ing class than the professional thieves docs
i moi exist, and its members are very far from
!. standing on ceremony III the practice nl
# their calling. Any means for the accom-
!, plishmeut OF their purposes IS 10 them lcgili-
i mate. The principle OF honor among
thieves" does not in any way affect iheii
8 manner of doing business.
nd will lat off
II most attention are those that are the mos
I. syslematlzed and commonly followed. The
II daring robbenes Of banks, jewelrY stores
(. and similar rich places, are but incidents il
ct the Lille OF the professional thiei Sucl
~ events occur only occasionally, and at lonl
IN intervals and they are only noticeable IA
h showing more eonsummate dash and bold
p, ,n ness In the operator They are adventure
he that WIN for the successful villain II hghe
or niche of lame among his comrades, and en-
"a able him 10 assume airs over his fellows
Of But alter all, the eminent thiel is but n thiet
ee despite the n0torietY lie gains; and il vii
ol therefore be al once apprehended that ther
must be some steady work for this yer
N- large class of scuundrels, or else starvation
.. would very soon exterminaie them. Te
hs thousand thieves cannot exist on the OC
th casional robbery oi bank,
ed This steady employment with almost Gel
ant tam return LOT enterprise is lpunu hlonH w
!" wharves and piers OF the city. Here is III
,a great field OF labor lor all VINO have the nj
Is cessary shrewdness, splightliness and hold
Of ness 10 follow the profession of Stealing
r. And here the business is carried on ~
II. surprising variety OF ways. Nothing IL Il
md good or too poor 10 steal; nothing too bulk
The The or too compact, TOO much exposed or I,
"s' carefully concealed. A hogshead OF mola
SEES, pipe oil wine, bale OF cotton, p
fne, OF lead or mon, cAsk OF copper, dyewoo'
or fruits, rich groceries Or costly dry good
GIT anything To eat, drink OF wcar-wlhicver
to brought from the SEA III ships and is unlad'
,isa o., on our wharves, OF is sent to the wharv
in Tor shipment 10 other countries, becomes
mi once lie prey ol the thieves. Everythi
ing ing has lis value, and there are no better iude
in. of values in The city than The profession
" thieves And for anything aud everythl
'sh- valuable there is always ready market,
location OF which is known 10 the plotessi'
me- ing, al as exactly as he knows his own idenIi
the N Y. Sun.