Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-06-08

Those who do not know me may
perhaps, believe the following story
Those who do know me will not
Still, it is quite true.
Reginald was pleasant old gen
tleman. with fine sense of humor
He had considerable property, and
lived on Wimbledon Common.
/ He had one beautiful daughter
but that is not to the point.
One afternoon, as old Reginald
was reading books in his drawing.
room, it was announced to him that
q Common man desired to speak
with him.
He gave orders that the Common
Man should be admitted. And ad-
mitted the Common Man was.
He was a very Common Man, IN
deed. A tall, shambling, ill-looking
fellow, with an irresolute manner and
shrinking eye. lie was dressed as
costei mongers are dressed when fol.
, lowing their calling.
"What is your pleasure. good sir?''
said Old Reginald.
"Beg pardon, guv'nor,' SAID the
Common Man. II hope you won't
be hard on me-"
"Not at ALL" replied Old Reginald
"rm burglar" said the Common
Man.
Indeed" said Reginald. "Take a
CHAIR"
"Thank you kindly, guv'nor," said
he' "but I'd rather stand.n
And he did stand.
So far there is nothing very credi.
table in my story. But it gets more
remarkable as it goes on.
"How do you like your proies-
sion?" sand Old Reginald.
"Well, guv'nor,' said the Common
Man, Il do MT like it noways, and
that's it."
That's what?"
That's why I'm here. !, / belongs
to a gang OF twelve wot's working
these parts just now. We crack
CRIBS by turns. lists my turn
o,night.
And the burglar wept like q child.
"Thls, I presume, is Remorse,' y
said Old Reginald.
mo, guv'nor, it amt Remolse,"
said the 6urgular. "It's Funk"
The same thing" said Reginald.
ut amt the being q burglar that !
object to. It's the having to commit
burglaries. l like the credit OF it,
sir; It's the danger object to-
Il see."
"Now, by the laws Of our gang,
we're bound to crack cribs in turn.
That is to say, one of US crack the
cribs while the other eleven stops
outside and gives the Office"
Il thought burglars always worked
in twos or threes?" said Old Regi.
nald.
"P'raps l ought to know best?'
suggested the burglar, !,
Perhaps you are right. Indeed
am sure you ought. What crib dc
you propose to crack to-mght!'
This here one."
"Miue?"
1 "Yourn."
"Oh!
| And Old Reginald prepared te
ring the bell.
PLEASE do MT do that, guv'nor
You amt never agoin' to give me in
to custodY?"
81 think had better.
mo, no, guv'ner, do mt do that
Listen to me first. l amt agoin' Il
hurt you. It's my turn to crack
your cnb.to-night. Now, will yot
help met"
Il hardly see my way" said Ole
Reginald, thoughttully. Still, if
can be OF any use
Look here, guv'nor, each membe'
of our gang is bound to get FIFTY
pounds worth OF swag from eacl
lcrib he cracks. 1t he do MT, he,
shot. Now, / see a handsome silver
salver and coffee.pot and cream jug
as / came in here. Wot might b,
the value of that handsome silver
salver and coff.e-pots"
"The cream jug is electro. Th'
coffec.pot, with sugar basin and sal
yer, may be worth FIVE and forty
pounds"
That's near enough. I'll takt
'em. Here is b fiimscy tor fifty buid.
! "Still | don't quite understand
Il want you, guv'nor, to be q
good as to leave your bedroom win
dow open tonight, and place that oil
YER and them silver traps where car
get 'em. I shall have. cracked my
crib, baggcd my swag, and made
myself safe until my turn came rouni
again" sA
Certainly" said Old Reginald
holding up the note to the lignt
But let me ask, how can you affort