The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-29
THE ROdUES OF INDIA.

Many wonderful things have been
written about the jugglcr5 of India, but
things still more wonderful could be
written about the thieves. l have lived
in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, and Ran
COON, and have been knowing to some
operations of these gentry which seemed
Incredible
Every foreigner is considered fair
game b. the 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, l sent out
by walters to make purchases or get
money changed. In each instance they
ran away, although in no case was the
sum over a dollar and in every case the
native left lucrative employment in order
to beat me- 1t couldn't have been the
idea Of gain 50 much as the idea of get
ting ahead Of 4 foreigner While there
is no positive security from thieves il
India, there is partial security In hiring
a chowkadar. This fellow is a thief
from away back. He is known to be,
and hc is employed on this account. II
YOU pay him so that he can afford to be
honest he will keep other thieves away.
1t is a point of honor with the fraternity
not to steal from any one employing q
chowkadar. His services are a species
Of blackmail, but you must either pay
him or be at the mercy of the slickest,
slyest set of rascaIs on earth.
At Bombay l had a bungalow with
all 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 the fellows was
an old man with a foxy look, and he
protested to the Captain.
II am great thief, bat too sharp for
the officers, who have never yet laid
hands on me. I know all the thieves,
and if I am with you 10 one will dare
steal from you"
"And if we do not employ you2'
You will surely be rob bed"
:'Wcn, we shall try to get along
without you, and if thieves come, some
one may get killed."
The Old man went away with a 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
lungalow---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 a new
explosive, and | was making report to
the home Government on the various
vegetable poisons of that peninsuIar.
we therefore had plenty Of leisure to
plan for our protection aad 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 i'm
portant business, The pair were ad-
mitted, and she began making inquiries
about her husband, who she said was =
member Of the Captains command. She
gave the name of native known 10 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. No
.ooner did she let go of his hand than
he began running about to inspect
l4lngs- We saw afterward how hard
She tried to draw all our attention to
heTseh The Captain paid no heed to
Ae child; but presently, as l