The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-04-10
A SAD PARTING
Why a Burglar Left His Treas
ureS Behind Him.

One afternoon last summer while we
were conyersing with Judge Pennybun-
ker, he remarked:
81 was once deputy warden of the
Texas Penitentiary. We had a great
many curious cases at our boarding.
house. There was one convict, burg
lar in whom | took considerable inter-
est He was gentlemanly In his man
ners, always cheerful, and very hnmor-
GUS. don't know his name, probably
he had several, but his number was 800.
One day, during some conversation 1
had with him, remarked that was
surprised that he should be burglar,
that the life of burglar was so hard.
"'Yes, we professional burglars do
not have an easy life of it, responded
No. 800. we have our troubles pretty
much the same as other professional
men. We are liable to become suddenly
transformed into lead mines, which is
always more or less annoying. If we
don't get shot full of holes we are liable
to drop off roofs, or down air-shafts,
and inJure ourselves internally. Such
things are not pleasant
"'But as you say, you should not
complain, every profession has its draw
backs, l remarked.
81 don't complain. My life in this
institution is very agreeable. can't
see much of the world while | am in
here, but travelling is a nuisance, any
how. One has so much worry with the
Custom House officers. Besides, travel
ing is expensive
while you were practicing your
profession you must have made some
disagreeable experiences.
"'Lots of them. 1t is very sad to be
chewed up by a vicious dog, after fall
ing off the roof of house into an ash
barrel, having previously intercepted
load of buckshot, but all that does not
hurt as mach as to have all your plum
der packed up and have to leave it be-
hind. That happened to me once. To
this day can't shake off the impression
that | was robbed. 1t seemed to me
that it was equivalent to taking the
bread out of my children mouths
'"If you have time | would like for
you to tell me how you were left on
that particular occasion TO which you
refer.
'"Certainly. Long Joe was with me.
He was a natural-born burglar. He
was devoted to his profession. He was
one Of most conscientious and pains
taking cracksmen l ever knew. We
had completed our arrangements to 90
through handsome villa on the out
skirts of New York That's where l
used to practice. 1t was one of the
most favorably located houses to burg
larize that | ever saw. 1t seems as if it
was built there for the very purpose.
There was very little travel on the street
in front of the house. 1t was quiet,
retired neighborhood There was a
mounted policeman, who could always be
relied on TO pass the house at a certain
hour. He was so regular in his habits
that he was utilized by the local burg
lars as kind of clock. 1t was true
that the wealthy people living in the
neighborhoOd had hired a special watch
man.
al should think that might have in.
terfered with your plans, but perhap;
you made compromise with him.
"'Not bit of it. That would have
been unbrofessional. The good people
did not know that the old man was tigh
when he went on duty and was in the
habit of seeking some secluded spot anC
doing the happy hours away, but We
knew all about him, He could not hav,
slept more soundly if hehad belonged t.
the regular police force of New York
The inmates of the house consisted o
an old gentleman and his daughter,
beautiful girl. The cook who was OLE
and quite deaf, slept in the cellar. Tn
other servant had gone away. Their