The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-14
MY FRIEND THE BURGLAR.

sfarting in the town of Dixon, l was
Hppointed counsel for a notorious
pnrglar, who after having long been
atorror to our county, had at last
peen captured and was now awaiting
trial.
He was supposed to be leader of a
9ang, and as / entered the room
where he was confined, / expected to
see an abandoned-looking ruffian of
middle age. Judge OF my surprise,
then, to find myself in the presence
Ipf mild-looking, blue-eyed and
lhaxen haired youth, of apparently
moi more than Internationally years,
lthough | afterwards learned that at
least a decade must be added to that.
e My much-studIed repose of man
sa was rather shaken for a moment,
T0ut he at once came forward, offered
me a chair, introduced himself as
Mr.. Brown. and asked for my name.
had previously known him as
'Black jack" a sarcastic appellation,
| suppose, on account of his extreme
fairness.
On being told that l was a barris-
ter appointed for his defence, his
whole manner changed. A look of
crafty cunning crept into his face, the
cloak Of good manners dropped from
his shoulders, and | saw before me
the unmistskable desperate whose
al prehension had delighted so many
hearts.
After a quarter of an hour of con-
fdentia talk | saw plainly that the
Crown would win its case against this
man. My client and | were beaten
before we began. He was very guard
ed in all his admissions, even under
the sacred seal of confidence, and so
| was surprised to hear him say, as
was leaving him that day:
"Well, Mr., Clarkson, of course
prefer to be cleared, and | shall try
my chances on that; but it really
matters little in the d. Ifthe court
convlcts me / shall not be Gagged very
long.
"What do you mean ?" exclaimed
l, startled.
"Only that | have never been long
behind the bars, and l never mean
to be. l have good friends outside
who will look after me-"
| / smiled incredulously. "You have
not been in our county Jail, sir. or
perhaps your assurance would be
less. Once there, you are safe to
stay, can assure you"
He laughed lightly and said good
night, thanking me for my kindness
in accepting his defence.
The trial came on, and as [ had ex-
pected, Brown was convicted and
sentenced to Imprisonment for four
teen years. There were few redeem
ing circumstances in the case, and
his sentence was severe one. |
looked for his composure to desert
him under this blow. but, on the con-
trary, he bade me cheerful good
evening".
| went home with very uncom-
Portable feeling in my heart. Was it
my duty as a man to warn the Off
GERS of the jail of this fellows hints
of escape? But what had / really to
tell? Only vague assertions about
friends whose powers | did not be-
lieve in; and even these made in
confidential talks to his lawyer. No,
l would say nothing. He would un-
doubtedly be we'll guarded, and the
doors of the county Jail would close
securely upon him for many a long
year.
When | went to my Office next
morning L saw at once that some.
thing unusual had taken place. Little
knots of excited takers had collected
on the street corners, fierce gesticula-
tions accompanied stealthy glances
thrown oyer shoulders and as l ap.
preached, room was made for me to
enter the first of the bubbling springs
of gossip.
"Well, Clarkson," said an old law.
yer. who had long been my friend
and patron, "it seems that Black
jack is free and no thanks to you
my boy"
1 started. almost guiltiIy. "Free
What do you mean"
81 mean that, to all appearances
he was abed and asleep whenever the
warden looked in last night, but tha,
when his breakfast was taken to hin
this morning the figure in bed turneC
out to he only the pillow well cover
ed up, while our bird had h0wr
through the window by means of thu
neatest saving on the bars you eve
saw"
"Sawing? Where could he hav'
concealed an instrument? Was h,
not thoroughly searched ?"