The Nevada picayune., 1885-01-22

youth np. My parents before me were thieves. At fifteen years of age I was we'll and favorably known to the police, and used to divide my spells with them. 1 was an expert at almost any kind of stealing, and father used to predict that sooner or later 1 would be- come a member of Congress. My fayorite pastime was abstracting the effects ofpassengers at the rail- road station. One day l noticed a man, who, as l afterwards learned was the'agent for dime nit scum, carrying an oblong kind ofa wick CT basket, on which he bestowed a great deal of attention. The bask- ct was secured by 8 small rope. While he was waiting for the cars at the railroad station, l heard him tell another man, pointing at the time to the basket, that it was worth at least t1 ,OOO. 1 waited pa. tiently until the owner of the bask' ct went to buy his ticket. Then ' grabbed the coveted object and fled with it to a park near by"
 Here the young man broke down completely, 'std with choking sobs said flat when he recalled his for mer depravity, and how he had been miraculously saved, it con- pletely unnamed him.
 "My dear young friend," said the old gentleman, kindly laying his hand on the shoulder of the re- pentant thief, "do not give way to your feelings, although your sim cere emotions elevate you to my esteea, l honor your manly tears. There was more aeJticing over <ke one lost sheep that was found than over the ninety and nine that went not astray."
 "I will continue my st0ey," con- tinued the young ran wiping his eyes, and swallowing big lump in his throat. "It is a part of my pen ance to relate my humilitating ex- perience. 1 fled to q secluded DOT tion of the park with the captured basket, and wiAh my sharp knife cut the rope and opened the cover. Just at that moment 1 heard foot. steps behind me, and having some curiosity to know who it was, l looked around, but it was only a pedestrian who nass ed on without seeing me. proceeded to inves, tigate what was in the basket. To my astonishment it was empty. Befere l could collect my thoughts I was firmly siezed around the body and my right arm was pinioned to my side. To my unspeakable hor- TOT found myselfin the folds of a haze boa constfcAr. Before I could think what to do, another fold of the creature's body envel- oped my eeck. Gradually the ser pent frightened it's folds, it still looking into my face with a look of triumphant malignity. My sin had found me out. In A few moments of time I reviewed my entire life. I remembered every crime that l had committed, every oath that 1 had uttered, every drink of liquid damnation that I had imbibed, l filled with the keenest remorse for my past deeds, and wished that I had stuck to picking pockets which was my strong card. made sol. emn VOW that if God should mir. aculously spare my life, l should be a different man in the fN- ture, and, above all, would never steal, or swear, or smoke again.'
 The old gentleman was overcome with horror at the description of this terrible adventure, and at the same time he was filled with joy to think that such wicked person had been saved.
 "How did ycu escape i' he ask ed.
 "Gradually the folds frightened. I could hear my ribs crack, but l was still conscious. Then I saw several men running towards me. At the head of them was the owner of the stolen basket. He called out> "There is the thief that stole my snake." Hold him! Don't let him go of with my serpent" He ment me, although l was very far from going off with his precious snake. He soon perceived my unfortunate condition. and how lit- flo danryer there was of my getting