Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-04-28

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The New York Times translates from
LInteradtional. French paper pub
blished in Paris and London, the fol-
lowing interesting account OF a thieves
ball in company with popular clergy
man who is well known in religious
circles in this county.
Rev. Arthur Murscll is familiar
name in the East End of London. and
particularly in those lanes where the
thieves ofthe metropolis have establish
ed their quarters.-Few men are SO well
acquainted as he is with the manners
and customs Of that degraded class
which lives solely by plunder. There
does not exist in London single pick
pocket or burglars which Mr.. Mursell
is not welcome 10 enter. The entire
society Of thieves know and respect
HIM.
The following letter will explain the
purpose Of the excursion about TO be
related:
Reverend Sir: This round robin is
sent TO ask YOU favor. Some Of the
undersigned have tried TO get ADMISSION
TO your meetings but. being well known
10 the police, have been prevented.
Since we cannot 90 to you. will you
come to us: No harm will befall you.
On Wednesday, lst. we give an enter
tainment for the benefit Of n young
woman in distress. We want To collect
some money TO pay for the doctor and
TO send her into the country. If you
will promise 10 come. the benefit will
he complete success. Mr.. 4. whom
you know will come with YOU. We do
not, sir. profess TO be honest. but we
promise that no injury will be done to
YOU. We are, reverend sir. your very
obedient servants. Here follow about
thirty signatures.
Having arranged with the Mr.. A.
referred to (the Superintendent of q
ragged school Mr.. Mursell proceeded
in company with him and the present
writer (Mr. Jean Harley TO The quar-
tiers OF the thieves.-The meeting was
held in an obscure public house, stu
ated at the bottom Of a narrow lane.
A man stationed at the foot of stair
gave each visitor in exchange for a
half crown (seventy-five cents) ticket
of admission. After having ascended
three flights of narrow and winding
stairs. we reached an empty room. in
the middle of which was placed a lad
der. the top of which disappeared
through a trap-door in the roof. At the
foot of the ladder was stationed a
respectfully dressed individual. in APP
pearance not unlike an honest farmer,
whose task was TO collect the tickets
Shortly after. we learned that this man
was one Of the most daring provincial
burglars. Ascending the ladder we
reached the ballroom. 1t was large
white-washed apartment, surrounded
by wooden benches. The sloping root
above us was supported by large wood
ed beams covered with dust and spiders
webs. At one end was table with
a water carate and glass, and behind
it were three chairs for our accomoda-
ton.
The room presented curious spec
tacle. On one side were the women,
the girls and the children ; on the other
side were the men. The women were
pretty numerous, many of them had a
child in their arms, while the older
children crowded round them. regard.
ing the new corners with considerable
astonishment. Our arrival, it should
be mentioned. was greeted with much
applause Our reverend companion
seeing around him nothing but unknow
faces, attempted to break the ice by
addressing those sitting near him in 8
vein of jocular remark. Observing tina,
the Vice President parsonage witt
an unmistakable gallows look-was
twisting about the programme Of tht
evening with an air of embarrassment
What is the matter" he inquired
The Vice President handed him tn.
programme. Mr.. Mursell ran his eye.
over it. and soon discoved the cause o.
the thiefs embarrassment. The en-
tertainment was to commence with ,
contra dance executed by the com
pany."
MIR. Mursell smiled, and asked the
Vice President: ''Can you show I'M
the mistress of the house," ''That fa
woman, there with the white apron
The reverend gentleman rose, and ad
vancing towards the matron, said Il
her, with great suavity: will you d
me the honor of dancing this contr'
dance with me, Madame Deafenini
hurrahs followed this from all sides
The music struck up, and . hurried Al
rangement was made on the floor. Tn
reverend performer exeried himself t
his utmost, and though frequentl
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