New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-07-04
A JEWELLERS BANKRUPTCY

Mr.. Robert Millicent was one of the unemploye ed.
His trade was burglary, but times were bad ana nc
had lust come out of prison and prolonged period
Of penal servitude had somewhat ahected MS
health. He needed rest and good living but uniort.
unately the companion and partner OF his most
recent escapade had disappeared with the wnoie
proceeds If their Joint adventure To make matters
worse, nearly all his most trusted colleagues were
Mt the moment in enforced sccluslon; and those
who remained at largo found business 80 dull tnat
they conld render him no ASSISTANCE lie dd nor
feel equal. Just at present to resnming tne afduons
duties OF his profession the more especially rs tne
police keeping very strict eve np"n II III. IN
fact until the vigilance oil his enemies relaNeu
little he had no alternative but to remain coiipara
lively honest - ,.,,.
Under these sad circumstances Mr.. Millicent was
naturally very much depressed and 10 grleVed us
proud spirit TO find himself driven to the unworthy
ex pedient of begging-letter writing However the
necessity of obtaining the means OF existence oVer
came his scruples, aud his touching appeals pro-
duced some stray contributions. Among DINER per
sons he addressed himself ~ was Mr.. Hiram Facet
a wealthy West End jeweller. In approaching Vi, ~
gentleman, Mr.. Milcont did not represent himse,'
in either of his favOrite characters of WIDOW VIII
six children. or a consumptive engineer la,ely
blessed with triplcts. He signed his own name
and reminding Mr. Facet That they Lad been cia U.s.
mates in the same charity school frankly asked Tor
trininy loan for the sake OF old acqualntanceSip
1t was perfectly true that the wealthy leweIIer
and the despised burg lar had imoined the Iu ~,
meuts of education at the same institution put MI
Miceut's scholastic career had been cut snort ny
somc act of depravity beyond hls'years. wnicn ieu
to adopting predatory mode OF ne. sr ace;'
on the other hand had proilted by his opportdhi-
ties and had risen in the world They had never
met since their youthful Days, but Mr. Mhlcent
mad kent watcnful eye upon his successful frend
and had long meditated making a raid upon MS
valuable stock in trade.
The burglar not very ngnine that his appIi-
cation would meet with favorable response; Dut
he nevertheless waited the result WIN certain
amount of curiosity Rather to his surprise he re-
ceve letter from ME- Facet conchea IN irienu,y
terms enclosing n ,stal order for sovereign: AMI
renuestinc him to arrange private and connden-
tial interview. 80, :
cious and he was inclined TO he shy of making
ammo ntnents with strangers. Dut, as Dis Oh
schoolfellow lett the details entirely to him, he
selectcd a 1uet public-bouse where he would teel
perfecty at home aud expressed his willingness 70
meet Mr. Facet there a certain day and hodr
which he named. Mr.. Facet agreed TO the sngges,
ton. aud, punctually at the time indicated ne
presented himself at the bar OF the snug hosiery
where Mr.. Millicent was whiting him.
The burglar perceived ut IA glance that ms VISITOR
had taken tHe precautiOn to disguise himself. Tie
wore his hat ovei his ewes. his cat collar was
turned up and his features were concealed IA much
~ possible by muller. Nevertheless, VT
Mlncent recognized him instantly. and felt lightly
aweh by his air OF respectabilltv and authority
After vouchsatng the bricfest OF greetings OH.
Fncet injured whether there was private room
where the, cond talk without being overheard
Having foreseen this request. Dir. Mllllcent had
engaged tho lar parlor, whittier he conducted ms
visitor with dereicnce. Mr.. Facet ordered spirits
and water md when they were alone together lie
Immediately proceeded to business -,.,
20 bon MllllctDt, are you no icih'ihou'
looking al him keenly.
"les ST. said the burglar, modestly:
remember Won at school very we'll continued
MIR Facet " and rve heard of Won since from time
to time. You were concerned in that business at
TrIckctts. saw your name III the papers,
"That was ever so long ago." said Mr. Milllcent,
a little uneaslly -
" lOu haven't turned honeSt,l suppose ! salu hll'
Facet, sharply. .
Something in his patrons tone caused Mr.
Milhcent to check tho canting reply which rose To
bIa lins 10 resDOnleU IL
for honesty 80, -,
"You want Job no doubt T. said Mr.. Facet.
9" 1t depend. what kind 1T is. want money an
swered Mr. MllIcent.
A" A Job III your own line or business continued
Mr.. Facet.
he stared at his did schoOIieow N amaleuient
"Are You going to put me upto sorpethlugT he
inquired recovering his assurance
Yes If you Will pTCm 80 mo- by eVeTyt you
hold sacred never TO breathe "A word To any one ol
this conversation said Mr.. Facet lDpressively.
"All right. guvnOr; I'm straight
You ~ swear IL r
/" By the holy pOker-yes"
Mr. Facet liked his eyes upon HIM until he had
stared hIlu out of countenance, and then he sald
cOntenptuOusly:
We'll Is TO your own interest to keep your word
and you've nothing 20 gam by breaking 1T; so !
suppose can trust You. Row listen. DO yoa know
nv pgemi-.s IN Long-st ST. James'sT
Yes, I've seen EN-"
aAnd admired the pretty things in tie window,
daresay 7" sail MIR. Facet metnngy.
"Theres pretty things there, certainly re-
sponded Mr. Milicent. dehcaIely ignoring the in-
Situation.
ward. and l)werng his voice for certain private
reasons it would suit me very well II you paid
professional visit TO my esta lshmcnt
WhatW calculated Mr.. Milllcent
al would just a. you did the job as any one
else continued Mr. Facet in a matter-Oi- fact tone
at will be well worth your while. can tell
you and III arrange everything 80 that you won't
Excuse me. guv'nor," exclaimed Mr.. Mllicent,
after staring en-m0uthed at his companion for a
considerable number of seconds. "Would you
mind saying that over again =
Nonsense replied Mr.. Facet, impatiently.
You heard what said, and mean H."
NAY | ask a question" asked Mr.. Millicent
after another pause
. can guess what it is. You don't understand
why TIA ke this proposal" said Dir. Facet CON
temptuonsy . 49,,
No, I'm --- II do,' returned Mr. MlIIlceht,
fervor.
What's that ~ inquired Mr.. Millicent.
Bankruptcy" explained Mr.. Facet. shortly.
Consequently I've no interest ~ my stock. aud
the most valuable part Of II doesn't belong TO at
all It's lent Ny the trade-the diamond trade"
81 see" said Mr.. Millicent. with a Wink.
a burglary my premises would drive me INTO
bankruptcy" SAID Mr. Facet. boxing hard at his
compan on. "No man can help misfortune OF
that Kind. In fact" he added. it would be a good
excuse
aiou're knowing one. guv'nor." exclaimed Mr.
Milhcent enthusiastically.
It's lucky Tor you that am, Tor this job will
put good many hundred pounds In your pocket"
an stand IN. gnvnor, make no mistake, said
Mr.. Mlllcent, with gllstenng eyes, and III act
honorable by you-yon shall have your share"
" fshawl what 10 You mean ~ exclaimed Mt:
Facet indignantly; " do you take me for thlef'
III have nothing whatever to do with It. Ii is
your own affair entirely Undersi and that. mind.p
Right you are" said Mr. Millicent, rather
abashed
"ln the of iewelry suppose that no time
10 wasted by you IN taking out the stones and melt
ing down the metalf inquired Mr.. Facet. alb
ruptly. ~
knowingly.
"ThaI yon will pledge yourself to-"
If only get away with the swag, the stuf will
be in the pot within an hour" answered Mr. MILL
cent. emphatically.
"Very WELL Now fill your glass and listen to
| me-" Said Mr. Facet. drawing his chair closer.
The conversation at this Juncture became too
technical 10 be of general interest relating il did
to the topography of Mr. Facets premises the
means OF escaping into the street at tine side the
exact pOsitlOn Of the safes and the habits OF the