The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-11

A certain loathsome lodging house, situated
in back slum, whittier we must now repair,
was nothing else but nest of thieves-wretch-
ed, ill-clad, hungry thieves; outcasts from the
more sturdy and holder ranks of crime; de-
spised by the clever burglar who took his fifty
or hundred pounds worth of I" swag'' at a
haul; ignored and disowned by the dashing
swelmobsman or the accomplished pckpock-
et. these poor creatures were only stall-liIt-
ers and rea-sneaks-men, women and chill
dren VINO were willing to risk the terrible pun
lshments of the law for sixpence num-
Der OF them were assembled in an under
ground back kitchen, discussing the good aud
bad luck of the day. They separated them
selves INTO little groups of twos and threes,
and established temporary partnership on the
OASIS OF uniting their pilferings and 'going
whacks" in the profit.
Presently the door opened, and a man with
detestably cunning expression of face. and
having stumpy horsewhip in his hand, en-
tered the room.
Well, my lads and lasses, how are you all
getting along" he said. 81 was Just driving
round this way, so l thought I'd give you .
look In. Got anything in my line to-davW He
walked round, and rapidly inspected the vari
GUS little piles of articles presided over by the
respective " firms"
"You're a-picking,n grumbled one lean and
tattered ehevalier dindustrie; "and it amt
| fairn
~ allus pick, and pays extra for it-yei
know do, " replied the dealer. 6 on'v wants
boots and clothes-nothing else amt no good
to me, not at a gift" -tftt p~sss,48.
Having selected sundry odds and ends, and
| having paid for them, after considerable hag.
CLING, out of big bag of silver and copper
lie stuffed his purchases pell-mell into can
vas sack and carried them off. At the ton Of
the street he mounted clumsy cart, drawn
by melancholy pony in decline. A drive
OF about an hour and half took him to the
other end of London, where his destination
was dingy shop with the announcement
Marine Stores-Wardrobes bought and sold .
With the assistance Of his " old woman y anC
his two gals, the contents of the canvas sack
were re-examined and appraised. Amor q otbei
things it contained the coat that Shortmiles
had lost few hours before.
Some days later, a stout and comfortable
looking old gentleman, with benevolent blue
eyes and an amiable double-chin, stepped
cheerfully into the "Stores,n followed by {
| thin man, whose more than shabby exterior
ana general appearance of extreme depression
proclaimed that he was very hard down on hil
luck. 0-
"Have you got such a thing as a strono warn
topcoatr' inquired the stout gentleman
A topcoatp' said the dealer srspiciously
what sort of coat do you mean! Do vol
want to buy one, heyg'
"Of course ! do. Do you think shall ash
you to make me a present of oneg want {
coat that will fit this man here. Anything
that's warm and tidy will suit.'
20, very well; then | think can show
| you Just the harticle you'll like" and the war,
dealer, feeling he was safe, produced the oar
ment whose adventures it is our business tt
| trace. "
In the end, the stout gentleman paid for #
an9 the thin man wore it, an arrangement
which was mutually satisfactory.
Now, Reeves" observed the former a,
they quilted the shop, ''you said you could ee
good Job at once If you only had YOUR tool