The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-01

A THlEF's CONFESSION.

THiEF's CONFESSION.
am the most unhappy man that evel
occupied prison cell. say this advis
edly, knowing that hundreds are at this
moment bewailing their fate, which in
many cases may seem harder than mine
but 1t is not, it they still retain the self
respect which have lost. That's what
tortures me; my prestige is gone, am
degraded in my own eyes; despise my.
self as heartily as the most virtuous man
in the world could. That /, to whom
half the thieves in London have looked
for guidance, should myself have laid a
plot for myself and walked into it! 1t is
too humiliating! To fall victim to a
too powerful combination of adverse cir
cumstances is no disgrace; to be outwit-
ted by the superior finesse of the police is
hard but endurable; but to fall into a
snare which should not have misled boy
who had never 80 much as stolen a hand
kerchlef in his life-this, this is shame!
1t was that diamond ring that did it.
L really think that some special ill luck
must have attached TO the trinket, tor it
brought no good to its previous posses
sor. 1t was hardly in the regular way of
business that it came into my hands
just as it has escaped from them in a most
unbusiness-lIke fashion. That young man
must have been in great straits before he
united himself to me in the business of
stealing his uncle's cash-box, in order to
obtain funds to pay his gambling debts.
1t was very easy matter for me. He was
to mix few drops of an opiate gave him
with his relatives brandy and water one
evening and leave the hall door open; :;
had only to walk in and take up the booty
he had collected and placed ready for me.
1t was very fair collection of plate that
awaited me as well as the coveted cash
box; but am fond of jewelry, and the
house was so beautifully asleep, that 1
could not resist creeping up to the mas
ter's bedroom to see if there was not in
1t trlfie worth picking up There was
the diamond ring, and a rather good
set OF studs. took them, and slipped
out OF the room 50 quietly that
should not have disturbed their owner,
even if my young friend had not, by way
OF making sure, doubled the prescribed
dose of the opiate, and thereby plunged
his uncle into not sleep, but death.
Poor young fellow. the knowledge
that he killed relation who had always
treated him with kindness, if also with
severity, was too much for his mind.
which doubtless was never strong.
Those debts of honor were never paid !:
he never came to claim his share of that
nights spoil; and have heard that the
distant cousin who, failing him, inherited
the old mans property, grumbles greatly
at having to pay for his being kept in q
lunatic asylum.
This is cowardice on my part. Ihave
condemned myself, as the fitting punish
ment of my folly, to set down in black
and white the way in which entrapped
myself, and l am postponing the task to
maunder over an irrelevant incident.
The ring had not been long in nv Dos
sion when | paid the unlucky visit to
Paris which began my misfortunes. The
London police were very active just then,
and business was in consequence dull and
risky, so, being in funds, l thought /
might take holiday and enjoy fort
night in the city of pleasure. / was pretty
well known at home; but / had not, so
far as knew, single enemy in France.
and did not intend to make any. For \
fortnight / would be mere innocent
pleasure-seeker, taking the DAYS amuse-
ments as they came, and making no effort
after either my own gain or Others loss.
Such was my intention; but alas! what
intention, especially if it be a good one
can withstand the force of the habits of a
lifetime? Mine gave way, and speedily.
One evening "a pleasant April evening
II formed one of the crowd that snr,
rounded the platform at an open-air con-
cert. By.my side was standing = stout
and elderly man, whom, from = score of
tiny indications, ! guessed to be British
holiday-maker. "There's from fifteen 10
twenty pounds in his coat pocket. I'II he
bound" thought L aHe is far too can.
tious to leave his money at his hotel.
where Frenchmen, whom he regards AZ
all thieves, may lay hands on t. go he
carries it about with him, thinking that
on his person it cannot fail to be ssfe.n
The idea Of undeceivine him in this
particular was too tempting !; / found nv
self smiling in anticipation at the bewil-
dered and horror-stricken expression his
lace would wear when he discovered his
loss. L was the hnmor Of the thing that
touched me. That fatal gift Of hamor
which has ruined 90 many honest men
led me 70 my destruction- Deep in my
soul, beneath the outer garb Of the man
Of the world ! waa wearing. dvelt tha =.
stincts OF the professional pickpocket Al
most unconscioualy inserted nv left
hand I've are al ambidexter 10 our nro.
fe.sionl in his pocket and gently drew
ont pockst,Dook-the very sort Of
Pocket-book knew be woald cary /
edged away from my victim = soon = !
the little operation was over. ana d;.er.-
tanghng myself from the interested audi
torn Who we're lissening to ! eayIy dress.
g danseI shsieking With the rslasiins &
: oaoe powerful voice, soou found nv
self Walking along tke b.irhtIv Isis.a
boalevard. ! had not eons ious g 1,ss !
noticed thAt ~ diamond rinr. .~k;r'S I
cce..eansly 3 Nose o. ~ tkizd - ef ~