The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-24
LoNDoN's DOG THIEVES.
The Headquarters at Which These
Gentry Nightly Congregate.
From Donahoe's Magazine.


Once in my life I eonsorted with pro-
fessional dog thieves 1 wish it to be dis
tinctly understood that I never stole a
dog, although am free to confess that 1
have been tempted, and l have told the
story of how on one occasion dog stole
me. But to return to my thieves In 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 crude externally, you will
find Yourself in close proximity to the
rendezvous of the London dog thieves.
Near by is a place called Hickings-in-the-
Hole 1t is well named, being situated
IN a decided hollow in one of the
Those in search of a fine, creepy feel
ing should visit it after nightfall, as did.
| then found myself in the bar of small,
Old-style public house of very doubtful
character, or perhaps | shall express my
self better if | say that its character was
not at all doubted. l was eyed curiously
by the lOungers as l 1tOOk some refresh
ment at the bar. I then quietly gave the
cOuntersign in accordance with the in
structiOns with which 1 had armed my
self The powerful and heavy-necked
publican changed his demeanor at once,
and ushered me through a side door and
up creaky, tortuOus and dark staircase.
At this period the creepy feeling was at
its best-Or worst. A door opened and
we entered a long room, the ceiling of
which was very low. Yellow gas jets
tiickered 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 descrip-
ton, clothed in great part in corduroy
Surmounted with the conventional caps
that are worn by the London cOster-
monger. They resemble in general APP
pearance the touts and welchers of the
English race tracks. Most of them
smoked short pipes. The dogs yelped
and whined among the general hum of
conversation that came through the am
Der haze My appearance excited no
comment, and for this reason: 1t is quite
common thing for "swells with sport
ing blood in them" to drop in upon these
gentry and pick up a good dog at a
nominal price. The morality of the pro
ceeding is very questionable, but the fact
remains. Gin, the favOrite drink with
the low class of London, was brought in
a jug and served in small wine glasses. |
accepted the hospitality of
my friends, the thieves, as l
saw at once that it was ex-
pected. Then l conversed with tho va
rious members ofUhe party concerning the
points of the CANNES 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 | might truthfully record that l
spent pleasant half hour at Hockings-
in-the Hole.
These men are not all thieves. Some of
them are dog brokers, who sell dogs for
others or pick up a bargain to sell again.
None of them openly admit that they are
professional thieves, although, of course,
it is understood perfectly. They find"
lost dogs or else they are commissioned to
sell dog that belongs to friend" Not
a small part of their income is received
through obtaining rewards offered forlost
dogs which they have been fortunate
enough to find" During my visit to them
their dcmeanor was perfect They might
have been an assemblage of farmers at a
cattle show.