The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-10-28
Experience with a Pickpocket.

n Ullc NOW 1OIh VJUlDG-
&c tells this story:
1t was in street car, and 1 was quite
conscious when the deed was done and
who had done it. He was young man,
rather nice-looking young mana
blonde with the usual adiuncts, whiskers
abundant, mustache long. 1 carried the
money rather carelessly in my vest
pocket. 1t was abstracted as we pressed
into the car. What should I do? I am
a quiet man. Naturally 1 abhor scene
quite as naturally ] dislike to be
robbed. 1 kept my eyes upon him.
Iceland couldn't be cooler in snow
storm than he was. He rose to leave the
car-my plan of conduct was decided
upon, 1 touched him ON the arm and
rose also.
"My dear fellow" L said, "I thought
I knew you. How is your sister?'
He stared at me hard.
"Oh, thank you-well, very well, " he
replied civilly.
"Well, now, this is really good fortune
that I should meet you. I'm Pop
Sydenham Pop. Your father must have
spoken of me. Really what remark
able likeness" We were now on the
sidewalk opposite B. IS restaurant.
"Come in and take dinner with me-"
I went on. "The best turtle soup in
the city at BIS. No denial; I won't take
it." The fellow seemed little stupefied.
Having yielded at first, he thought it
best to humor me. We went in. I Or
dered dinner recklessly, and kept up a
running fire of small talk. Waiter
brought me the ticket, $3.50. I searched
my pockets. Mr.. Blonde grew red.
"Never mind, my dear fellow" I said,
laughing. "Mrs. Pop forgot to give me
my pocket book. If you've got five
you'll oblige me. My place of business
is not far from here. You shall have it
in ten or fifteen minutes"
I think he began to suspect. He pro-
duced five, and paid the bill and dut
the change in my pocket. AS we went
out he made an Intellectual attempt to es
cape, but I held his arm.
"You will oblige me, sir, I said, "by
allowing me to pay my debt. will
only detain you by stopping in this
bookstore moment or so, for l prom
ised Mrs. Pop some paper. carried
him in-I boug ght to the amount of Sc
or 81.
81 beg your PARDON" said 1, in the
softest tones imaginable eff you have
ten about you I'll thank you to let me
add it to the five. Mechanically he
put his hand in his pocket. His face
was the color of boiled lobster, while 1
daresay mine looked more like green
one. He handed me $10-my ten !!
I knew it in a moment. Then all the
magistrate rose within me. I gave him
back 1915.
"Young man," 1 said, "we are square
now, 1 believe. I might have made a
fuss about it. I might, after week or
two, have found policeman, if not in
New York in its sister city. You are
probably not new to the business, young
as you are. Take my advice try to be
honest. 1t will pay you better at the
end of ninety years. I should hate to
see your auburn locks in the Rogue's
Gallery. Aman of your mustache ought
to be above such small business. Spend
your 1878 honestly if you can, and be
kind enough not to try your next TRIP
upon this particular traveller"
He Redeemed, he frowned, his mus
tache twitched and his whiskers trembled
He opened his lips to speak and shu
'em again. The last 1 saw of him was
remarkably well-ftting frock-coat turn
ing the first corner. I'm afraid he vii
go on turning corners in that way till h
} gets in that place where "corners o
all kinds are unknown.