New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-10
THE MODERN DICK TURPIN

Gentlemen of the road have become demon
allied, we fear, since they bctook themselves
to city practice. We would suggest to the
consideration of our too practical burglars the
old stories of the chivalry of Dick Turpln and
Gentleman Jack. After those gallant outlaws
had robbed travelling chariot they always re-
stored TO the ladies their diamond rings, asking
sometimes the privilege of kissing the far
hand rs they put them on. Very different IS
the practice of our modern knights of the Itch
ing palm. After the late robbery OF the Ben
eGcial Savings Fund in Philadelphia, in their
subsequent amicabc traffic with the directors
and police for the stolen goods, they not only
demanded TO retain all the cash taken but
twenty per cent on the bonds and the diamonds.
We do not scrupe to say boldly that the da-
monds should have been returned. The rest
WAS legitimate matter of trade, but-a W0inahs
gear! IL was n little matter, but an opportunity
for the gentle guild of burglars to show their
native nobility of soul. which unfortunately they
neglected.
Their admission into society of late years,
too, renders it doubly incumbent on them to
act in these matters with fine sense OF deli
cacy and honor. Dick Turpn was liable to
find a pistol presented to his head 10y the UNI
opprcciatve subjects of his light fingered skill,
and if caught was sure of Newgate and the
rope. Our modern burglar, having gained his
spoil. calmly awaits a summons to friendly
conference with the late owners of the bonds,
detectives being present merely as mutual
friends. The conference in the late Philadelphia
case we understand, was of the pcasantcst
Notwithstanding and snug glass OF wine
not being wanting. The parties separated on
the most amcable terms. Indeed, so impressed
were our grave Quaker brethren with their
new acquaintance, that meddlesomc editor,
who gave TO the transaction the name OF com
pounding a felony. and censured the Grand
Jury for not taking cOgnizance OF 1t, was
threatened with indictment for contempt OF
Court. The same Jury. to show their unlm-
peachable zeal, have just made an expedition
into the Philadelphia Five Points to ferret out
the keepers of ten-cent lodging houses.
The business is more profitable as well as
honorable than in Turpin's times. Twenty per
cent. for three weeks custody of another mans
bonds is satisfactory return for slight in
vestment of trouble. No money is required,
and, az the police eagerly assure them, no
danger is incurred. So satisfactory was 1T to
the gentlemen concerned in the venture III
Philadelphia that they have undertaken several
others since with equally pleasant results.
The latest we believe is that of the Boylston
Bank in Boston, and the directors have already
published their invitation to conference,
where twenty per cent. will be offered, and we
suppose terrapin and tea more aesthetic
drink than wine suiting the occasion, the
ancient craft of burglary now having been
recognized as one of the liberal professions.
Still, we insist if there be any jewelry in the
question, let it be returned. Regard to these
little dclicacies marks the true gentleman.
Our friends of the drill and jimmy may find
their intercourse with society more profitable
and pleasant without attention to such triiles,
but their characters will lack q certain desira-
bic chivalrc glow. 1t hangs about the memory
of Turpin, although, owing to the dull age in
which he lived, he was not paid for robbery,
and the man who traded with him would have
been branded as compounder of felony.
The people loved him, though the law-wlth
the old fashioned prejudice against theft-per-
sisted in giving him a rope instead of twenty
per cent.