Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-07-10


yoA HIS trade was burglary, but times
v(1o NJ and he wss temporarily under q
49, To be explicit he had just come out
XDgDou, and prolonged period of penal
kySoode he'd somewhat affected his health.
- nooded rest and good living, but unfor-
oo04eoly the companion and partner of DIS
oDoee recent escApsde had disappeared with
~ whole proceeds Of their joint adventure
70 make matters worse, nearly all oi ms
G1doe trusted colleagues were ~ the momenI
~ onf0fCed seclusion aud those VINO re-
Mou1nod 1t large found business so dull that
1kov could render him no assistance. He
az not feel equal, just at present, to resum |
~ the arduous duties OF his profession, the
nIors especially ~ the police were keeping
VnFy eey3Ut eye upon him. In fact, until the |
vlnllnnco Of his enemies relaxed a little, he |
~ no alternative but to remain compars-
NVoly honest
Under these ssd circumstances Mr.. Mill.
ooas was naturally very much depressed,
md u grieved his proud spirit to find him
.Golf driven to the unworthy expedient OF
oesging-letter writing. However, the neces-
Dity Of obtaining the means OF existence over
came his scruples, and his touching appeals
produced some stray contributions. Among
other persons he addressed himself to was
Mr.. Hiram Facet, a wealthy West End jew
oler. In approaching this gentleman, MI
Millicent did not represent himself in neither
VI his favorite characters OF widow with six
children, or a consumptive engineer lately
blessed with triplets He signed his own
name, and, reminding Mr.. Facet that they
had been classmates In the same charity
school, frankly asked for a trfling loan for
the rake OF old acquaintanceship.
It was perfectly true that the wealthy jew
eler and the despised burglar had imbbed
the rudiments OF education at the same iusti-
tuition, but Mr.. Millicents scholastic career
had been cut short by some act of depravity
beyond his years. which led to his adopting
predatory mode of life Mr.. Facet on the
other hand, had profited by his opportuni.
ties, and had risen In the world. They had
never met since their youthful days but Mr..
Millicent had kept a watcbful eye upon his
successful friend, and had long nleditated
making q raid upon his valuable stock in
trade
his application would meet with favorable
response but he nevertheless waited the re-
suit with certain amount OF curiosity.
Rather to his surprise, he received letter
from Mr.. Facet couched in friendly terms,
enclosing postal order for a sovereign, and
requesting him to arrange private and con-
fidential Interview.
Mr.. Millicents disposition was naturally
suspicious, and he was inclined to be shy OF
making appointments with strangers, but
as his old schoolfelow left the details entirely
to him, be selected quiet public house
where he would feel perfectly at home, and
expressed his willingness to meet Mr.. Facet
there on certain day and hour, which he
tion, and, punctually at the time indicated,
he presented himself at the bar of the snug
hosiery, where Mr.. Millicent was awaiting
him.
The burglar perceived at a glance that his
visitor had taken the precaution to disguise
himself He wore his hat over his eyes, his
coat collar was turned up, and his features
were concealed as much as possible by a
muller. Nevertheless, Mr.. Millicent recog
nized him instantly, and felt slightly awed
nv his Of rasnectabilitv and Qnfbprity.
After vouchsafing the briefest of greetings,
r Mr.. Facet inquired whether there was pri-
vate room where they could talk without be-
ing overheard.
Having foreseen this request, MIR. Milli-
cent had engaged the bar parlor, whittier he
conducted his visitor with Difference. Mr..
Facet ordered spirits and water, and when
they were alone together he Immediately
proceeded to business
$50 you're Bob Millicent, are you ?" he
remarked. looking at him keenly.
Yes, sir, )" said the burglar, modestly.
I" remember you at school very well"
continued Mr.. Facet, " and I've heard of you
since from time to time. You were con-
cerned in that business at Tricketts. saw
your name in the papers"
That was ever so long ago." said Mr..
Millicent, a little uneasily.
7" You haven't turned honest, 1 suppose ?''
raid Mr.. Facet, sharply.
Something i'll his patrons tone caused MIR.
Millicent TO check the csnting reply which
rose TO his lips, and he responded silently,
It's bad times for honesty"
You want a Job, no doubt" said Mr.. Fa.
Get
alt depends what kind it is. / want
money!" answered Mr.. Millicent.
- A jsb in your own line OF business, " con.
tinued Mr.. Facet
Mr.. Milleeut could hardly believe his
ears, and he stared at his Old sChOo!iellow in
amaZement
"Are you going to put me up to some
thing? ?" he inquired, recovering his assur.
ance.
thing you hold sacred never to breathe a
word to any one of this conversation" said
Mr.. Facet, impressively.
Gan right, guv'nor Pm straight"
You'll swear 1t ?'
By the holy poker-yes ~
Mr.. Facet fixed his eyes upon him until he
had stared him out of countenance, and then
he said contemptuously
Well, 1t Is to your own interest to keep
your word, and you've nothing to gain by
breaking it, so l suppose ! can trust you
Now listen. Do you know my premises in
Long street, St James ?"
Yes, l'ye seen EN-"
And admired the pretty things in the
window, dare say ?" said Mr.. Facet, mean.
There's pretty things there certainly
responded Mr.. Millicent, delicateiy ignoring
the insinuation.
It
forward and lowering his voice % for Ger.
tain private reasons it would suit me very
well II you paid professional visit to my es-
tablishment"
What ~ calculated Mr.. Millicent
would just as soon you did the Job as
any one else," continued Mr.. Facet, in a
matter-of-fact tone. 1t will be well worth
yonr while, can tell you and III arrange
everything so that you won't run any risk
whatever"
"Excuse me, puy'noru exclaimed Mr.
Millicent, after staring open-mouthed at his
companion for considerable number of sec.
onds. "Would you mind saying that over
again ?'
Nonsense" replied Mr.. Facet, impa
tiently. You heard what / said, and
mean it."
May ask a question ?' asked Mr.. Mil
licent after another pause.
i can guess what 1t is. You don't un
derstand why i make this proposal" sale
Mr.. Facet, contemptuously.
~ANo, I'm - II do" returned Mr. Mil
iicent, fervor.
"Tm going to file my petition" said Mr.
Facet
"Whats that ?" inquired Mr.. Milllcent.
Bankruptcy" explained Mr. Facet
shortly. Consequently Pve no interest in
my stock, and the most valuable part OF il
doesn't belong to me at all. It's lent by the
trade-the diamond trade"
see," said Mr.. Millicent, with a wink
"a burglary on my premises would drive
me into bankruptcy" said Mr.. Facet, look.
ing hard at his companion. "No man can
help misfortune of that kind. In fact" he
added, " it would be good excuse"
You're a knowing one, guv'nor," ex
claimed Mr.. Millcent enthusiastically.
!" It's lucky for you that am, for this job