Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-11-19

authority, and on the word of a dyin,
man once your equal, 1 promise that no
the slightest danger threatens you
John Wilson, we were once friends
more than friends BY our youthful
love, by all you hold dear and sacred,
implore you to trust me, and come t.
me-"
Without signature, and written in {
hand totally unfamiliar, the note bu
deepened the mystery.
Gentleman Hal--Mother Waters
Crib alley---he was complete
ly puzzled by the slang terms.
Boy" he asked, turning to Bill
who was watching him intently, and
rising from his chair as he spoke, "do
you know why Gentleman Hal wants te
see me Tell me what you know about
him, and be quick Who is he p
He's our captain, and he's-he's
why, Gentleman Hal. He's been
our leader for ever so long, but now he's
dyin he says, and tole me if I'd find you
and bring yer to him, he'd give me a
lift in the gang"
You belong to gang of thieves,
then ?"
Yes" answered Bill, as proudly as
ii he was being complimented upon the
fact; II can hook as good as Light
fingered Jack can, and am learning to
crack q crib. Yer incident be afraid,
though, " he added, 81 won't steal any
thing here, cause / promised Hal
wouldn't. I'd do anything for Hal,
would p'
=" Is he a young man p
Yes" responded Bill, bluntly,
younger nor you, and better lookin.
Amt yer a goin back with me %
Here was o sensation quite unkn own
to John Wilson. Besides, as he often
remarked, and now thought, life was
not SO excessively dear to him, after all !;
and he certainly need not hesitate to
trust himself to the guidance of the ur-
chin before him, and SO neglect an OPP
portunity to be of service to some mis-
cradle dying thief.
Not many moments had passed before
John Wilson, arrayed for long walk
through the high winds and fast falling
winter rain, left the house in company
with his elfish conductor, en- route to
Mother Waters. 1t was bitter cold
night, and the slippery pavements re-
sounded with the noise of their foot
steps, as they sped along.
Out of the avenue into side street,
then in blacker darkness even, if that
were possible, until they reached the
haunts of the most depraved and worth
lass occupants the city gave shelter to.
With downcast head, shivering,
though his coat was trebly warmer than
all the little thief's garments taken to-
gether, John Wilson followed swiftly
through the foul streets and alleys
Unchallenged, they passed the many
vile cellars, where lights, and shouts of
laughter, and profanity, proclaimed the
riotous revelry within. Occasionally,
face would appear in some doorway SO
bloated and disfgured by drink and
sin, that one could scarcely tell to which
sex the person belonged.
At last, they paused before an alley
way leading to small court. Down
through the darkness darted Bill, with
a surety which testified to his familiar
ity with the locality.
"Look sharp, Governor" said he,
finally, in shrill whisper, "here we are
at the steps"
Down the broken stones so incorrect
ly named. into an underground passage,
80 it appeared to John, they CROPPED in
total darkness. Once, he stumbled, and
would have fallen upon the Shiny, reek-
ing floor, had not Bill grasped him by
the hand.
Here we are, he finally announced,
hating suddenly, though still retaining
his grasp "Wait minute, and then
we'll make EN- think its the copps "
Through the darkness, as his eyes be-
came accustomed to the gloom of the
cellar, or rather den, John saw a small
door in the wall before him. But SO
quiet was everything within, so totally
different from the similar places they
had passed, that he was quite unprepar,
ed for the scene suddenly presented to
his gaze.
"Now!" whispered Bill, with q
flemish little chuckle, when moment
or two had elapsed; and suiting the
action to the word, he began furious
assault with heels and fists on the pan
els of the door.
For moment, the widest confusion
seemed to reign within. Then, all be-
came qniet, and they heard the sound
of approaching footsteps.
Keep tight onto me, whispered the
little thief, land dash in after me p
"Who is it 2" asked a cautious voice,
through what appeared to be a loor
hole, disclosed by a movement of the