Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-13
THAT FATAL DIAMOND.
The Wall of a Careless and I'm.
fortunate Burglar.

ever occupied prison cell. Isay this
adviscdly, knowing that hundreds are
Mt this moment bcwailing their fate,
which in many cases may seem harder
than mine; but II is not If they still rc-
tain the self-respect which 1 have lost.
That's what torturcs me; my prestige is
gone; am degraded in my own eyes;
dcspiso myself rs heartily as tho most
virtuous man in the world could. That
]. TO whom half the thieves in the city
have looked for guidance, should my
self have laid plot for myself and
walked into II! 1t is too humiliatingi
TO fall victim to too powerful com
bmation Of adverse circumstances is no
disgrace; 10 be outwitted by the supe-
riOr lincsse OF the police is hard, but en-
durable; but to fall into snare which
should not have misled boy who had
never stolen so much rs n handkerchief
in his life-this, this Is a shame!
1t was that diamond ring that did
1t. Ircally think some special ill-luck
must have attached to the trinkct, for it
brought no good to It's previous possess
or. 1t was hardly in the regular way OF
business that it came into my hands
just as Il has escaped from them in a
most unbusness-like fashion. That
young man must have been in great
straits before he united himself to me in
the business OF stealing his unclc's cash
box IN order TO obtain funds to pay his
gambling debts. II was o very easy
mattor for me. lie was TO mix o few
drops OF an opiatel | gave him with his
relatives brandy and water ono oven.
ing and leave the hall door open; Ihad
only towalk in and take up the booty he
had collected and placed reudy for mo
II was worry fair collection OF plato thai
awaited me us well us the coveted CASH
box; but am fond OF jewclry, and the
house was so beautifully asleep that
could not resist creeping up to tho mas
tcr's bedroom TO see II there was not IL
1t triilc worth picking up. There wa,
tho diamond ring and a rather good
set of studs. ! took them and slipped on
OF tho room so quietly that should moi
have disturbed their owner, even il my
young friend had not, by way Of max.
ing sure, doubled the prescribed dose o.
opiatc, and thereby plunged his uncl,
into, not sleep, but death. Poor young
fellow, the knowledge that he had killed
relative who had always treated hin
with kindness, II also with severity, wa,
too much for his mind. which, doubtless
was never strong. Those debts Of hon
or were never paid, be never came L
claim his share Of that nights spoil
and ] have heard that the distant cousin
who, failing him, inherited the ole
mans property, grumbles greatly a
having TO pay for his being kept in
lunatic asylum.
This is cownrdice on my part. Ihav,
condemned myself, as the fitting pun
ishment Of my folly, TO set down il
black and white the way in which en-
trapped myself, and | am postponin,
the task TO maunder over an irrelevan
incident.
The ring had not been long in M,
possession when l paid the unluck,
visit to Paris which began my misfor
tunes. The London police were YER
active Just then, and the business wa
in consequence dull and risky; so, bein
, in funds, thought might take a hol
day and enjoy fortnight in the city Q
pleasure, was pretty well known O
home, but had not, so far as knew
a single enemy in France, and | did nc
!. intend to make any. For fortnight
would be mere innocent pleasure
seeker, taking tho days amusements a
, they came, and making no effort afte
'' either my own gain or others losl
Such was my intention; but, alas! whi
intention, especially If 1t be good ONT
can withstand the force of tho habits {
lifctimcP Mine gave way, and speed
lily.
One evening, pleasant April ever
ing, formed one of the crowd tn,
surrounded the platform ut an open q
: concert. BY my side was standing
stout and elderly man, whom, from
score of tiny indications, guessed to /
O British holiday-maker,
There's from fifteen TO twent
pounds in his coat pocket, I'll /
bound" thought l. "He is far tC
cautious to leave his money at his hote
where Frenchmen, whom he regards
oil thieves, may lay hands on i, SO |
carries 1t about with him, thinking tn
OH his person 1t can not fail to be safe.
a The idea Of undeceiying him in th
! particular was too tempting; / four
myself smiling in anticipation Of the b
wildcred and horror-stricken expressi,
his face would wear when he discover,
his loss. II was tho humor Of the thir
= that touched me-
That fatal gift Of humor, which h
ruined so many honest men, led mo
my destruction. Deep in my soul, b
meath the outer garb Of the man of Il
world l was wearing, dwelt the
stincts of the professional pick-pockt
, Almost unconsciously inserted my L
| hand 1--WE are all ambidexter in our pr
fossion) In his pocket and gently Dire
J. out a pookctbook--the very sort
pocket-book l knew he would carry.
: edged away from my victim as soon
r the little operation was over, and disc
tan0linU mvsnlf from tho intaraat