Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-11-06
LoMooM.s DOC THIEVES.
The Besa-Qsarters 1t which The
Geatry Nightly Coagregaie.

II ossy NsBotsy NOoBreBSte.
Once in my life ! consorted with
professional dog thieves wish it
TO be distinctly understooa that
never stole . dog. although am free
to confess that ] have been tempted,
and have told the story Of how on
one occasion dog stole me But to
return to my thieves. In the north
crn part Of London, which you will
reach by passing through Fetter and
Leather lanes. continuing past the
! quaint Italian quarter with its cathe-
dral, the interior OF which is beau,i
full. although the building is but
crude externally. you will find your
self in close proximity to the rem
devious OF the London dog thieves
Near BY is place called bookings
in-the-llo,e. 1t is well named. being
situated in q decided hollow in one OF
the worst quarters of the great city.
Those in search OF u fine, creepy
feeling should visit il after nightfail
a did. Tthcn found myself in the
bar of a small. old-stylc public house
Of very doubtful character. or per-
haps should express myself better
ii say that its character was not at
all doubtful. l was eyed curiously
by the ioungers as took some re-
freshmen at the bar. then quietly
gave the countcrsign in accordance
with the instructions with which
had armed myself The powerful
and hcavy-necked publican changed
his demcanor at once and ushered me
through q side door and up q creaky,
tortuous and dark staircase. At this
the creepy feeling was at its best-or
worst a door o.ened and We en-
tered q long room. the ceiling Of
which was yer, .O~. 4e.-og gas Jets
| fickcrcd 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. surmountei wish the con-
ventional caps that are worn o. the
London costermonger. They rescm-
blcl in general appearance the touts
and wclchcrs OF the English race
tracks. Most OF them smoked short
pipes. The dogs yelped aud whincd
amid the general hum Of conversa-
tion that came through the amber
haze. My appearance excited no
| comment. and for this reason: 1t is
| quite q common thing for ..swe.ls
with sporting blood in them to drop
in upon these gentry and pick up a
good dog ut a nominal price. The
morality OF the proceeding is very
questionable. but the fact remains.
Gin. the favoritc drink with the
low class in London, was brought in
a ju- and served in small wine
glasses. ! accepted the hospitality
of my friends. the thieves, As / saw
at once that il was expected. Then
! i convcrscd with various members of
the party concerning the points Of
the CANNES in their possession. They
took my presence there as a matter
Of course, and talked with perfect
cantor. Had been able to forget
the company ! was in might truth
fully record that | spent a pleasant
half hour at Hocking- in-thc- Hole.
These men are not all thieves, says
Donahoe's Magazine. Some OF them
are dog brokers, who sell dogs for
others or pick up bargain to sell
again. None OF them openly admit
that they are professional thieves,
although. OF course. il is understood
perfectly. They find lost dogs or
else they are commissioned to sell q
dog that belongs to a friend" Not
q small part Of their income is OBJ
tanned through receiving rewards
offered for lost dogs which they have
been fortunate enough to ''find. {"
During my visit to them their de-
mcanor was perfect. They might
have been an assemblagc Of farmers