The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1893-11-12
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Centry Nixhtly ssongre<ase.


Gentry Nixhtly uoaxee<ate.
Cnce In my life coneorted with
professional dog thieves wish it
60 be distinctly understood that /
never stole 8 dog. although / am free
to confess that / have been tempted
ana have told the story of how On
one occasion a dog stole me. But to
return to my thieves. In the north
ern 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 beauti
full. although the building is nut
crude externally. you will find your
self in close proximity to the rem
devious of the London dog thieves.
Near BY is a place called Hockings-
in-the Hole. 1t is we'll named, being
situated in a decided hollow in one OF
the worst quarters OF the great city.
Those in search of fine. creepy
feeling should visit it after nightfall
as did. l then found myself in the
bar of a small. old-style public house
of very doubtful character. or per-
haps should express myself better
If l say that its character was not at
all doubtful. was eyed curiously
by the loungers as took some re
freshment at the bar. then quietly
gave the countersign 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 side door and up creaky.
tortuOus and dark staircase. At this
the creepy feeling was at its best--or
worst A door opened and we en-
tered a long room. the ceiling OF
which was very low. Yellow gas jets
hickered 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 con
ventional caps that are worn by the
London costermonger. They resem,
bled in general appearance the touts
and welchers of the English race
tracks. Most of them smoked short
pipes. The dogs yelped and whined
amid the general hum of conversa-
tion that came through the amber
haze. My appearance excited nc
comment. and for this reason: 1t is
quite common thing for ''swells
with sporting blood in them" to drop
in upon these gentry and pick up
good dog at nominal price. The
morality of the proceeding is very
questionable. but the fact remains.
Gin. the fayorite drink with the
low class in London, was brought in
a jug and served in small wine
glasses. 1 accepted 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 CANNES in their possession. They
took my presence there as a matter
of course. and talked with perfect
candor. Had l been able to forget
the company was in / might truth
fully record that spent pleasant
half hour at Hockings- in the 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 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 a ''friend." Not
a small part of their income is OBJ
tanned through receiving rewards
offered for lost dogs which they have
been fortunate enough to ''fnd I"
During my visit to them their de-
, neanor was perfect They, might
have been an assemblsge Of farmera
at cattle show.