Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-17
WOODSTOCK, W., WEDNESDAY, MARCH II, 1875

much | telt the Major would forgive
me and therefore requested the or
. derby to announce a gentleman. In
deed, madam, I shall make the for
giveness of the liberties | have taken
Ell in this room the condition of my
giving that information which shall re-
store to the Marchioness of Derring-
ton the gem which is still unpledged,
and in the possession Of one who will
restore it on application, accompanied
by 4 letter in my hands swriting."
Again l kept silent.
''NIadqm !" he exclaimed somewhat
impassionately, and rather proudly, 81
am no other man than Darlington, the
illustrious pickpocket and this is the
hand which in its days has gently
plucked from ladies Of rank and wealth
jewels which realized in all upwards
Of thirty five thousand lbs, irreSpec-
tive of those which were in my
possession under lock and key
when fortune TUNED her back upon
me"
Darlington, the pickpocket Hav-
ing heard 50 much of this man and his
exploits, although, Of course I had never
seen him, could not help regarding
him with curiosity, 50 much so that /
could scarcely be angry with him any
longer.
"Madam,' he continued, 81 have told
you that | longed to satisfy mys elf
whether that skill which rendered me
so illustrious in Europe Still remained
TO me in this country after five years
of servitule. ] can conscientiously
say that am just as perfect in the
art, that the touch is just as soft, and
nerve as steady as when I sat in the
dress circle at Drury Lane or Covent
Garden"
81 do not understood You, Mr.. Bar
rington,' l replied. | could not help
saying "Nlister."
"But you will, madam, in one mo-
ment. Where are your keys ?"
felt in my pocket, in which I fan
cied they were, and discovered that
they were gone.
"And your thimble and pencil case,
and your smelling salts ? They are
here !" He drew them from his coat
pocket.
My anger was again aroused. IT
was indeed, thought, trishtfNl libcr-
ty for convict to practice his skill
upon me, and put his hand in the
pocket of my dress. Bat before I
could request him to leave the room
and the house, he spoke again and
as soon as | heard his voice and look
ed in his face, | was Modified, and q,
gainst my will, as it were, obliged to
listen to him.
"Ah, madam" he sighed, "such is
the change that comes over the affairs
of men There was a time when the
ladies boosted Of having been robbed
by Darlington. Many whom | had
never robbed gave it out that | had
done so simply that they might be
talked about Alas such is the veal
ness of poor human nature that some
people care not by what means they as
sociate their names with any celebrity.
[ was in power then, not in bondage.
''Barrington had my diamond ear
rings J once exclaimed the old Count.
ess Of Kettlebank, clasping her hands
Her ladyship's remark was not true
her diamonds were paste, and she
knew it, and | caused them to be re-
turned to her. Had you not a pair of
very small pearl drops in your ears
this morning, madam ?"
| placed my hands on my ears, and.
discovered tha. the drops were gone.
Again my anger returned, and | !
said:
"How dare you, sir, place your fin
gers Oh my face q
Upon my sacred word and honor
he replied, placing his hand
over his breast and bowing, 81 did
of the kind The ear is the
most sensitive part OF the human body
to the touch of another person. Had
| touched your ear my hope of having
these drops in my waistcoat pocket
would have been gone. 1t was the
springs that | touched, and the drops
fell into the palm of my left hand"-
placed the earrings on the table, and
made me very low bow.
"And when did you deprive me of
them ?" | asked him
"When / was discoursing on hori-