Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-07-06
SNAKES.

gong Nlllihll. Incy lnInlllNcly re-
spect him for his dash and boldncss,
, for his cutcncs5 and fertility Of re-
source and his spirit of novor.s'iy-
die oven under tho most trying cir
cumstancos. When gentleman OF
the Bill Sykes typo effects really
clever and daring burglary, they
are, in thoir hearts, halfdisposod to
condone his offence, for they feel
there is that within him which, if
rightly directed, would enable him
to perform many legitimate acts
which the majority of men feel it is
quite useless for them to attempt
Or when representative of the
light-fingered gentry, while travel
ing in railway carriage Or an ON
nibus, deity slips purse ont Of Il
follow-travoler's pocket, and, after
abstracting the contents, as deftly
returns it, very general feeling is
that, though he is II great rascal, he
is genius Of q certain order and
deserves to meet with some degree
of success. Moreover, people feel
that such roguos may, in their way,
bo very good kind Of fellows, who
arc occasionally actuatcd by noble
impulses, and would not do what
they deemed dishonorablc. For in
stance, they would not readily rob
q "pal," and would undergo much
danger on behalf Of an associate
Tho many porlous enterprises on
which they embark is sufficient proof
OF thoir courage.
Now, there arc n large number of
men and women, in the world in
whom the moral instinct is almost
dead, who havo the inclination to
rob, and assault, and do all manner
of evil acts, without tho courage.
For such it is impossible to enter
tain any feelings but dislike and
drcad-dislilio because there is
nothing in tho performance of their
evil deeds calculated to make ono
respect tho performer, everything
being done cunn!ngly and faint
hoartcdly and dread because they
are dead to all that is generous, and
would readily sacrifice those for
whom they profess friendship, if by
doing so thoy could advance their
own interests. Men and women of
this type, if they wished TO commit
u murder, would use poison, or, by
some devilish process, put the body
of their victim out of sight. They
would calculate every chance of de-
lection, and have everything care
fully planned out long before they
committed tho crime. They would
not be found, in n moment of blind
passion, striking down reckless of
Consequences in their desire to glut
II momcntary passion. No, they
would hug their hato until u favor
able and comparatively safe oppor-
tunity for revenge presented itself.
Then they would soon provo mor
cilcss, allowing no feelings of COM
junction or pity to como between
them and the execution of their
project. If they could indirectly Sc
euro the destruction of the object OF
their hatc, SO much tho better, for
then thoy would be freed from all
danger. In everyday matters they
resort to tho most contemplate
means of advancing themselves and
injuring others. They rarely allow
u lcngthcncd period to clapsc with
out indting anonymous letters,
tcoming with vonomous spite, and
suggesting means by which those
whom they are directed against may
be brought to grief. If they have
an old score to pay off, and possess
ccrtaion information which, pub
lishcd, would, probably, harm their
creditor, they do not boldly lay it
before tho world or any particular
person. They have not got the
courage to DO this. They call in
the aid of that which Richclieu de-
claros is mighticr than the sword.
and, under fcigncd signature, di-
rect their shafts. Nor arc they par
ticular how this information is OBJ
tanned. If it is the result of friend
| ly intercourse, they will use it just
us freely us if it had been accident
| ly blown to thom by chance wind.
Indeed, when they arc on intimate
and friendly terms with people,
they treasure up every fact in con
nection with the latter with which
thcy become acquainted, for they
have sharp oyc TO possible contln-
ccncics. Tho more thcy know
about their associates the better will
they bo able TO cope with them
should interests become antagonist
ic. To this end they are friendly
oh, so very friendly. They insinu
atingIy invite your confidence, and
} bctray docp interest in your at
fairs. They want to know how you
do this, and how you get that. You
do not want TO tell them, but, in
; ninc cases out OF ten, you succumb
TO their we'll directed attacks. You
cannot at the time, DO angry with
them, for thoy are so singularly ur-
bano that you feel it would be sim
ply disgracoful TO display irritation.
All you can do is TO parry their at
, tacks as best you can. Ncvcrtho-
, less, you are invariably mortified
at the Conclusion OF one OF thcsC
, passages OF arms 10 find that you
I have let slip good deal mere tha'
. YOU intended to-and you abuse
yourself for a confoundod noodle
J, Yon arc still more wroLh when yoI
find how your mistakes arc uso'
: against you. But a snake can wrig
y gIc into anything with such quiet
c ness and celebrity that no ono cal
be Justly blamed for being overcom
- by one. Itwould, indeed, be strang
r if a dishonorablc, slippery fellow
i did not vanquish one who was, !
/. every respect, his reverse. If
= man lays himself out TO act in th
manner indicated, his cilOris mu'