The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-12-21
A JAIL BIRDS STORY.


opened conversation with a regular jail
bird, who had promised me some par'lcu'
lars Of bis history some time before
"Well, you promised 10 give me 4 little
bit Of your history this morning. are you
ready to begin"
"Oh! | don't know where to begin, and
| have seen so many ups aud doWus, or
rather SO many downs and downs asa'n,
that | could not tell You a quarter oil my
history"
when did you begin to steal first!
when | was kid was sent errands
by nv mother; she gave me money 10 buy
things for her; | cheated her oi'en' and a
fellow that cheats his mother, you know,
is rather hopeful youth. But 10 tell you
the truth | was partly spoiled by NY
mother, for she allowed me to do as | lik-
ed, aud when grew up | became acquu'n'
ted with others like myself, and FROM prlg.
giug apples out Of gardens, | got to prlg-
giug pockets, and from that | got 10 be a
screwsman" and a "crackmun Ny
first long sentence was seven years trans
por.aiion, aud | never did days punish
lnent hallly. In those days lac legs went
on board ship at once, and were liberia
ted or handed over TO masier al
most as soonas they arrived. Well, |
completed my time, was two years a wba'
Ter. and went aud settled in New Zealand.
aud that was the time | had most lrck. |
was o brickmakcr, and made money as fast
as | had mind, almost remained in
New Iealaud about fourteen years, aud
since came home have never bad y
days luck. ! went on the cross and cot
four years. After | had finished that bit,
[ went and lived with mOll knew, aud
spent all my money. When it was done
| went to look for work, and met with a
young fellow who knew what sort Of u
bloke | was; so be says, You are just The
fellow lwaut, Bill. My master goes 10
lhe bank to.morrow morning. aud draws
the wages money; after he draw: it he al
ways puts it iu u drawer in his desk aud
then goes out for about an hour, and leaves
tie Office without any one in it, | have
got two keys for the door and the desk,
but us [ would be found out if | attempted
to take the cash, | give you the keys, and
will divide the spoil As soon as the way
is clear will hang cut handkerchief,
and then You will know all is right.
Well, | took the keys. and went to The
llctory at the hour named; waited some
little time, and at last | saw The signal
agreed upon
UpI goes to the door, as if had a right
to The place, marched boldly into the Of
fee, and before yon could say Jack Robin
son, | had the bag full of cash Well,
off bolts TO my lodgings, changed my
clothes, aud counts nearly one hundred
pounds. got the half, as arranged, and
never wro'sht days work till all was
SPENT spent about one pound per day,
After that | took 10 hawking, rnd [ might
have made living at it. but got drunk,
did place over, aud got caught in the
act, aud here am
How many robberies may you have
committel?'
Goodness knows. With The exception
of the time | was in New Zealand, I've
been always on The cross"
"What was the largest you ever got!"
"Five hundred pounds
Il understand most Of these large rob-
berries are put up jobs, like the one you
neulioned?"
Eyes, most Of them are; tue risk would
be loo great If tha! was not the case
Il llaSe you ever been aoggel?"
"Yes, severely"
'!Eow did you like it?"
"Liksi ii. Why not at all Of course;-
WHO would like doggiug?'
Would The chance Of getting another
aogging nos deter you from committing
another crime"
Il would as soon be "topt' as be fog
ged now, because a good fogging would
kill me; but no fear of punishment would
deter me il | saw my way clear to get of.
7 ,;l 7 fooI o.,,o;, ,L,, 7