The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-04-20
ABOLD ROBBERY.

ABOLD ROBBERY, :.
How. Burglar was Betrayed By His Dog.
William Cole, or s.'The Weasel" as
he was styled by the fraternity, was,
without doubt, the most daring, skill.
full, and expert burglar; of his day.
About thirty:fve years of age, me-
dium sized, heavy:set, with dark hair
and eyes, there was nothing peculiar
in his appearance, had he not been a
cripple. His right leg was shorter
than the other by four or FIVE inches,
which compelled him to walk upon
the ball of his left foot to make the
length of the limbs equal. There was
a calm resolution in the steadfast gaze
Of his dark, piercing eye, which be.
spoke the highest order of physical
courage; and his well.knit frame,
erect head, firmly poised upon solid
neck, evinced that he possessed great
strength and powers of endurance.
Either from design or fondness for
novelty and change, he was here,
there, and everywhere, apparently
perfectly ubiquitous as to time or
place; and as he made it q regular
practice to take back and side en-
frances, alley.Ways, pOrches, halls, or
any unusual method of going or com.
ing, it was impossible for one man to
track him without being detected.
Upon making the discovery, he would
hastily spin around upon the ball Of
his foot, and with flashing eyes,
angrily exclaim:
II have dog to do my dogging, sir!"
or, 1t in the humor, would "wind the
fellow" which simply meant a compli.
Gated series of turnings, twistings and
doublings, which often brought him
face to face with his painting and
puzzled pursuer, when with hearty
"Good-Morning, sir!'' he would keep
OH so long as the whim lasted.
His plans once matured, his ingenui-
ty and daring rose in proportion to the
obstacles to be overcome, and the more
complicated the locks, firmer the bolts,
and careful the watch. the more GER
tain appeared his success. He finished
his work in such a mastery manner
that not the semblance of trace was
left to operate upon. 1t was done, and
there it ended. After some extraordi-
narily heavy "job,' which demanded
the most consummate skill and address
in its execution, he would occasionally
indulge in a half-laughing, mocking
smile, as he watched the movements
of q Gordon of detectives around him,
betrayipg his easy self-possession and
total in6i fforonoo fnv. no ,,rC,I ~
his prowess, and no doubt took "a de.
light in battling the entire police de-
partment.
In this manner several months
passed, and he leisurely sauntered
about, evidently perfectly needless of
everything but the moments enjoy.
ment-~the dread and hate Of the vir-
tuous and wealthy; the admired and
petted of the low and abandoned.
Bills dog, small, half.blooded ter
rier, was as Well-knOwn as his owner.
The appearance of one was certain
criterion of the others approach, for
they were never known to be separated
during the day. He was the most
faithful and affectionate animal to his
MASTER, and the surliest cur to
strangers that ever remembered to
have seen. Every inducement in the
shape Of choice ''tidbits" was indig-
nantly rejected with a snarl and any
attempt to pat or caress him, by sud-
den snap, which the experimenter,
even should he escape being bit, was
not apt to repeat. Bills approving
smile seemed to amply compensate
for these minor sacrifices; and the
I1F% 1sok,, ~
his own meditations.
At the time Of which speak a large
political convention was to be held ;
and anticipating the usual influx of
thieves and pickpockets, large extra
police force was ordered upon duty.
The first night passed without any par
ticular occurrence in our line. On the
second, large drygoods firm had been
robbed of nearly fifty thousand dollars.
All were in commotion at the de.
partmeht.. Ten thousand dollars re.
ward had been offered, and every one
was eager for the chance. Six police
and four detectives were soon detailed
to ferret out the case, I being appoint
ed the leader.
Taking my chum, an old expert
enced hand at the business, we hasten
ed around to the store, orders having
already been given that nothing should
be disturbed until our arrival. After
carefully examining the premises, sep:
erately, we met for consultation, and
exclaimed as with one voice:
1.-THE Weasel!'
There could be no doubt of it. His
marks to our we'll trained and exceri.
enced eyes, were as plain and distinct
as if we had witnessed him perform
the job. The safe was lying on its
side and forced from the bottom, but
the porter on the same floor had heard
no noise, and he knew that no noise
had been made; it had been thorough
" ransacked, but nothing had beer
carelessly or hastily thrown about, OF
carried away to risk destroying-every
thing useless had been carefully. re
placed. No door was left ajar or win
dow open, so where the thief entered
or where he departed was equally mys
terious; neither track or fiAger-mar1
could be found-in word, the saft
being open and the money gone wa:
the only evidence whatever of a rob
berry having been committed:
"a weasel" exclaimed a young Eng
lishman, lately employed by the firm
in utter rastonishment, ,evidently prepar
ed for any thing in this ''blaSted cOun