Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-08-28
An Artistic Burglar.

aesthetic side of certain other breaches of
the decalOgue has been abundantly illus
trated in modern fiction; but it was reserv-
ed for a man whose true name is shrouded
in unmerited obscurity to show what
field burglary presents for the display of a
refined order of genius. The story de-
serves repeating as story, and will be
recognized by many under the slight dis
guise of altered names.
Some ten or twelve years ago, in town
Just so far from Boston that it likes to con-
slider itself suburban, and one we will call
c., there came to live man who prov
ed himself a most exemplary citizen,
and whom we will call Mr. Herrick He
was a mechanic and worked daily at his
trade in large factory, with steady and
conscientious industry. He was perfectly
upright in his dealings, had no vices and
went regularly to church. He had the
confidence Of his employers, the respect
of his tellOW-Workmen, and, by virtue of
a cOuntenance fresh in color and singular
ly guleiess5aId engaging in expression,
and certain homely but ready courtesy,
the warm regard of all the female popu-
lation. high and low. Like most merito-
riOus men he was modest, and allowed &C
ciient to discover the fac. that besides his
skill IN his proper handicraft he had
kind Of general mechanical cleverness,
especially about locks, keys and fasten-
ings of al kinds-which last he himself
attributed to his having worked for awhile
with locksmith in his earlier youth
The result was that people whose fasten-
ings, whether of doors, windows, trunks,
desks orssafes, were out of order, fell into
the habit Of employing Mr.. Herrick to
mend them, and he did it promptly, cheap
w a,I ,aivr oil
favorably distinguishing himself from the
ordinary Iock-tinker And then he was
such pleasant, trustworthy fellow to have
abOuts ShOpkeepers showed him with a
wink the secrets of their safes, and old
ladies living ia lonely mansions admitted
aim to their most sacred cupbOards, or
brought forth by their brass handles and
get before him their old-fashioned writing
DISKS And as he deity Clipped and
fitted, they c0nyersed with him about
the sickness in the neighborhOod, the
''interest" in the church. and even their
beloved "old times,n in which he took an
uncommon interest, and felt all the safer
about the quaint treasures which they
guarded 50 ncrvously after their secrets
were shared with this respectable man.
But of this man, the community where
he lived and so descrvedly throve, was in
munity outwardly Puritanical, not to say
austere, and its influential people were
chiefly Of d strict order, both Of faith and
practice, but certain small vices abound
ed. Among these was a peculiarly mys-
ferrous order Of petty thieving. Things
vanished out of the most private places,
leaving Nc trace OF disturbance among the
remaining contents of the hiding places
which knew them no more. Not only did
the opera glass disappear from the hall
table and the prize pitcher from the side
board-but the locket and the gold-set
miniature forsoOk the secret drawer, the
antique porringer left the top shelf of the
china-closet, and the single trinket was
missing from among The treasures of the
carefully locked and seemingly inviOlate
Casket. Not a week, hardly day passed
but some event of this kind occurred with
in the precincts Of C., and there We're
certain houses where the visitation was so
often repeated that they became marked,
and honest. Hibernia considered it as
much as her character" was worth to
take service in them. The criminal, or
criminals, enjoying glorious IMMUNITY,
the crime naturally spread and prospered,
and at last assumed proportions of actual
dignity. Such number of postal rob.
berries were traced to G-that suspicion
fell heavily upon two men-a father and
son Of previously irreproachable life
who shared the duties and responsibilities
Of the local office. Nothing was ever
proved or even formally alleged against
them, but political influence was brought
to the aid of private prejudice, and they
were both removed and virtually dis
graced. The next victim was an ex
pressman who drove a brisk trade
between c. and the metropolis, and
occupied that proud position i'll the affec
tons and interests ofthe community which
Jealous common carrier in a suburban
town often attains. By and by it began
to be whispered that packages intrusted
70 him, especially if they remained in the
express over night were sometimes tam
perede with Wedding gifts received by
the bride-elect with a beautiful blush, and
opened with eager fingers, were found tC
consist of a neat box, morocco case anC
a layer of tissue paper, A fashionable
Young lady came to G.. on a visit Hel
immense trunk took an independent de
tour, as trunks occasionally do The ex
pressman traced and captured and duly
deposited it with its Owner-straps anC
fastenings all right-but when it wa
openesis It's contents were found to have
been subjected to a thorough review ant
bSl ulSCTifllIl1tlI19 6tlCClIoI itS itdN .
silk and the fresh gloves We're gone. Tru
lace had been unerringly distinguishe,
from false and cashmere from Paisley
The Fexpressman protested Innocence
paid his legal forfeit and remained unde
cloud.
This state of things had lasted for abou
three wears, when there appeared in c.
one autumn evening two strangers, wht
protessed business of importance will
Mr. Herrick. They called at his lodgin!
and were directed to the mandatory
where, as was his industrious wont, b,
was working somewhat over hours
something unusual and significant in The
bearing OF these men attracted to them
following of the idle and a dozen off
cious fellows stood ready to point out the
tall factory and the fourth history back
roomMhere, bending under single gas
light, Mr.. Herrick was found at work
and where the strangers produced war
rant, and arrested him for completely in
late famous but far-distant robbery. A
srenttoiis part of the officers instruction.
h I'd reference to securing Mr.. Herrick'
papers, and they accordingly left him un
der a volunteer guard of his dumbfoundeC
fellow-citzens, while they returned to his
lodging for this purpose. Mr.. Herrick haC
accepted his arrest with exquisite calm
ness-carefully put away his tools anc
submitted without . murmur to the majes