Connecticut western news., 1888-02-08
THE ROGUES OF INDIA.

Every foreigner is considered fair game by tho natives. While there are plenty who will not rob him by force, there is none who will not swindle him if it can be done. On three different occasions, in different hotels, sent out by walters to mako purchases or get money changed. In each instance they ran away, although in no caso was the sum over dollar, and in every case the native left lucrative employment in order to beat me. It couldn't have been the idea of gain so much as the idea of get ting ahead of foreigner. While there is no positive security from thieves in India, there is partial security in hiring a chowkadar. This fellow is a thief from away back. He is known to be, and he is employed on this account. If you pay him SO that he can afford to be honest, he will keep other thieves away. It is point of honor with the fraternity not to steal from any ono empi6yiug1 chowkadar. His services are species of blackmail, but you must either pay him or be at the mercy of the slickest, slyest set of rascals on earth.
 At Bombay I had a bungalow with an English artillery Captain on leave of absence. As he had with him two ser- wants whom he felt he could trust, we determined not to employ a chowkadar. Several called to offer their services, and all seemed greatly surprised and annoyed when sent off. One of tho fellows was an old man with foxy look, and he protested to the Captain.
 'I am great thief, but too sharp for the officers, who have never yet laid hands on me. I know all the thieves, and if am with you no one will dare steal from you"
 'tAnd if we do not employ youa'
 s'You will surely bo robbed"
 ''Well, we shall try to get along without you, and if thieves come, some one may get killed"
 The old man went away with look of cunning on his face, and we had no doubt that he would be among the first to seek to lay hands on our goods There were but three rooms to our bungalow-a parlor, kitchen, and bed room. The Captain and myself occupied the parlor as sitting room, dining room and bedroom, while the cook and his fellow servant occupied the other two. We kept but little money by us and had but few goods. The Captain was experimenting a little with new explosive, and was making a report to the home Government on tho various vegetable poisons of that peninsular. We therefore had plenty of leisure to plan for our protection and watch all suspects.
 On the second day after the sly old man was sent away, a lame native woman, leading boy about years of age, sent in word by the servant that she wanted to see the Captain on inn portant business. The pair were ad- mitted, and she began making inquiries about her husband, who she said was a member of the Captains command. She gave the name of native known to the officer, and asked so many questions that she took up fifteen minutes time. was not much interested in her story, but was in the actions of the child. Nc sooner did she let go of his hand than ho began running about to inspect things. We saw afterward how hard she tried to draw all our attention to herself. Tho Captain paid no heed to the child; but presently, as watched, saw the little shaver grab something from stand.
 He then returned to his mother and took her hand. After moment re- membered that my field glasses rested on the stand, and as rose up to look for them they were not to be seen. went over to the child, and notwith. standing the fact that he shrank away and began to cry, as if scared at me, picked him up and gavo him a shake The glasses fell to the floor from tho folds of cloth about his waist an with them threo spoons which he haG stolen in the kitchen. He ran away as put him down, and the woman hurried after hlm. It was put.up job tt pilfer from uA and, while the child die