The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-10-09
LoNDoN's DOG THIEVES.
The Headquarters at Which These
Gentry Nightly COngregate.
Donahoe's MagazlnI


Once in my life l consorted with profess
sional dog thieves. l wish it distinctly
understood that | never stole a dog, al
though am free TO confess that have
been tempted, and | have told the story of
how on one occasion a dog stole me- But
to return to my thieves. LII the northern
part of London, which you will reach by
passing through Fetter and Leather lanes,
continuing past the quaint Italian quarter
with its cathedral. the interior OF which
is beautiful, although the building is but
crude externally, you will find yourself in
close proximity to the rendezvous OF tie
London dog thieves.
Near by is a place called Hocbings-in-
the-aole. 1t is well named, being situated
in decided hollow in one of the worst
quarters of the great city. Those in search
of fine, creepy feeling should visit 1t after
nightfall as | did. tn en- found myself in
the bar of a small, old-fashioned public
house of very doubtful character, or per-
haps l should express myself better If / say
that its character was not at all doubtful.
was eyed curiously Dy the loungers as !
took some refreshments at the bar,
then gave the c0untersign in accordance
with the instructions with which | had
armed myself. The powerful and heavy
necked publican changed his demeanor at
once and ushered me through a side door
and up a creaky, ltortuous aud dark stair
case. At this period the creepy feeling
T.. was at its best-or worst. a door opened
and we entered long room, the ceiling Of
which was very low. Yellow gas Jets
fickersd here and there.
A curious sight met my gaze. The room
was full Of men, three-fourths of whom
held dogs OF every degree. The men were
mostly OF an uncOuth description, clothed
in great part in corduroy, surmounted with
the conventional caps that are worn by the
London cOstermonger. They resembled in
general appearance the touts and welchers
of the English racetracks. Most of them
smoked short pipes. The dogs yelped and
Whined amid the general um of converse
ton that came through the amber haze.
NJ appearance excited nc comment, and
for this reason: 1t is quite q common
thing for "swells with sporting blood in
them" to drop In upon these gentry and
pick up good dog at a nominal price.
The morality Of the proceedings is very
questionable, but the fact remains.
Gin- the fayorite drink with the low
class in London, was brought in jug and
served In small wine glasses. | acce pied
the hospitality of my friends, the thieves.
as [ saw at once that it was expected.
Then l conversed with various members
of the party concerning the points of the
cakines in their possession. They took
my presence there as matter of course.
and talked with perfect candor. Had |
been able to forget the company / was in
l might truthfully record that I spent a
pleasant half hour ct Hockings-in-the-
Hole.
These men are not all thieves. Some of
them are dog brokers, who sell dogs for
others or pick I'D bargain to sell again,
None of them openly admit that they are
professional thieves. although. of course,
it is understood perfectly. They ''fnd''
lost dogs, or else they are commissioned to
sell dog for friend" Not a small
part of their income is obtained through
receiving rewards offered for lost dogs
which they have been fortunate enough to
find" During my visit to them their de-
msanor was perfect They might have
been an assemblage Of farmers at cattle
Show.