The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-13
THE ERRORS OF YOUTH.
Or a Burglars Story in the Police
Station.

II was a dark, rainy and gloomy night, one
could scarcely pick the way through the streets,
had IL not been for the vivid flashes of light
ming which every moment lit up the armament.
The Central Police Station was very dull, not one
tam to cheer the heart OF the weary reporters
who still fingered around in hopes that sensa-
ton might come.
The clicking of the telegraph was the only
sound that broke the stiffness, and the operator
sat nodding in his chair as there were only calls
from the minor stations to each other. The re-
porters all went back into the station to have
chat with the night turnkey who yawned ana
eapped in his old arm chair. "Very dull for re-
porters to. night was his remark as we entered
the Office. mot an item up, gentlemen. what will
Won all do?" Well this was . conundrum and
the party gave it up.
We had all chatted for about fifteen minutes,
when the well-known tread Of policeman with
a prisoner was heard in the stone court. He
entered the room with the culprit, and as the
turnkey, as usual, searched him, one could not
refrain from noticing the refined features and
finely shaped head Of the prisoner. Though
dressed in the toughest garb, there was that
about him which could not escape even the mos
Indifferent observer.
The turnkey having finished his search the
man was locked up and the officer entered the
charge against him of larceny; on the police re-
cords his name was entered as James Canton. 30
much impressed was our reporter with this
strange man that he determined when every one
had left, by the pei mission OF the commanding
officer, to obtain an interview with the PRISON r.
In due time the interview was had. The
prisoner of course ask d what was our report
er'e business. Being informed upon that point,
he began:
I suppose, Reporter, you are DESTROYS to learn
a little of mans life who appears as common
never brought up in this manner by my parents,
nor was the life of q thief exactly Of my own
choosing but you know, as the, poet says,
"There is tide in the affairs Of men,
Well, don't think that the tide ever ran very
smooth when my boat was on it, no ma ter III
what waters sailed-but to little OF my his.
Twas born in the year 1910, of rich parents, in
Elleardville, st. Louis county, Mo. They sent
me to the best schools, but I was always an
Grant child and did not like my books, but was
always seeking pleasure before l performed
those duties, which alone can make good and
upright man.
NV great desire for money, think, has been
in their donations, yet my extravagant ideas
would not permit me to be satisfied. reme mber
on one occasion, when all the inmates Of the col
lege had retired, myself and another boy, not
better than myself, sat up all night gambling,
and when the morning came, was unfit to per-
form my duties. The teacher was very religious
man. and condemned any conduct Of the kind.
The circumstance came to his ears and was
ANONYMOUSLY dismissed from the school. was
then about 16 years old, and when l went home
enter the house therefore, was turned adlift
upon the cold charities of the world. lett the
village Of my nativity and went about to seek
employment, bnt fate seemed working against
me and everything I undertook fell to the
ground.
1 was penniless in the world, and, through my
own neglect at school, was fitted for ne kind Of
employment that would bring me an income
such as my avaricious nature craved Some four
years passed in this way, without any chan &c for
the better, when one day l was in Lexington,
Kentucky, I observed very elegantly dressed
man standing in front of one Of the taverns.
l approached him and asked if he could give me
some employment. He at first stared at me and
said
"Why, young fellow, I have no use for you.
I'm afraid that you are flat"
.'WeI," I rep led, Il don't know what you
mean, but can try to please you, and whatever
the business is l think you will have no reason to
complain was taken into the tavern by the
man, who gave me something to eat, which as
sure you was very acceptable. We then adjourned
to his room. I never shall forget that day, no,
sir, not as long as live.
He opened the conversation with the remark
could do. told him not much Of anything.
He then, with the greatest GOODNESS, said swell,
YOU are Young and apt and believe I can ma Ike
a frst-class 'croak' out of YOU The converse
ton lulled for few moments, when he suddenly
turned to me and said, "Young fellow, did you
ever steal?" Not knowing in what business he
desire me to enter, l told him lie, and said
"no" He immediately told me he had no use
for anyo ne like me.
"My astonishment was 1nbounded, but I re-
covered myself and promised him that l would
follow his instructions closely, and by SO doing
would, thought, make pretty good thief, as
had often walked into stores and shops and pill
fered small articles which I sold to live on. I
was al once engaged and entered upon my first
lesson as a hOuee-b .eaker.
He rose from his seat and going over to his
trunk, took out a small package which was tied
up very carefully, and undoing the paper, he
took out some queer looking Instruments, one OF
which l took to be pair OF tooth forcips but
for turning key in doo- when locked, the
other instruments he sald were "picks," all used
in carrying on the bu siness successfully.
He then said that he would show me how they
were used, and taking an old lock from his trunk
he placed the key in 1t and turned the bolt. Then
reversing the lock he took the "nips," and run
them into the opposite side Of the key hole took
q firm hold on the shaft OF the key, and, to my
astonishment, turned it with the greatest ease.
Several other things were shown me. When 1
bid him good bye, he told me to come the next
day. went, and on this occasion he placed the
instrume nts into my hands and told me to try to
operate with them. Unfortunately l made .
good hit and worked it like . charm.
I was informed By my employer that he wanted
me to accompany him to Louisville; that he bad
received q lett r from ''pal," and had informa-
ton that there was "ripe crib to or ck.'
Accordingly we went, and the night after our
arrival in Louisville was one just as dark and
rainy as you see it now. The place that was to
be broken into was one OF the largest jewelry
stores on Main street, and was sent ahead, as
they told me, to "pipe the cops" which meant to
watch the policemen.
Everything went on smoothly; the large lock
was picked and we had free access to the store.
was pretty green then. and the fellows made
me come in and go up stairs, telling me to open
the window and watch, and if any one came
along, to give signal by clappipg my hands
three times. had not been at my post many
minutes when saw dark object sneaking along
the sidewalk. l Immediately gave the signal,
when heard rush down stairs, followed by the
report Of pistol.
L L.