New-York tribune., 1895-12-22
THE TALE INTERESTED HIN.
BUT THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WAS
DISGUSTED WHEN HE FOUND HE
HAD BEEN ROBBED.

group Of Westerners sitting in the cafe OF a
Fifth-ave hotel were discussing the pleasures OF a
trip to New-York. All of them admitted that they
didn't feel quite right unless they could taste the
delights of the metropolis at least once year.
one of them. lawyer, spoke in this wise:
II have come to consider myself pretty good
New-Yorker having been here so often. but on
certain night few years ago | felt as IL had
made a mistake in ever leaving my Western home.
In fact, | thought that a big farm was about a.
civilized a place as ought to pass my days In.
was in New-York on pleasure trip just before the
holidays. About o'clock one evening ! got on
Broadway car downtown TO ride TO my hotel near
Madison Square. AS l was smoking a cigar. !
got on the front platform. That was before the
cable-cars running, and passengers were al
lowed to stand with the driver.
I'VE hadn't gone far before two other men got
on the front platform, making four or five there
altogether, that the place was rather crowded.
The face of of the newcomers was familiar 70
me, and | wondered where | had seen him. soon
| recalled that he was a thief OF whom had seen
a good deal year or two before was then the
prosecuting attorney of my county and had been
called on to conduct the trial of a notorious pick,
pocket. The trial lasted two or three days any
during it this thief had constantly been seated
only one had been concerned In the inert theh d.
Il didn't know then whether Mr. Thief recognized
when he got the car. bat afterward was
sure that he had He and his companion began an
Interested conversation which I could help over.
hearing. My old acquaintance. II seems, was
about buy hat store in Jersey city, ana ne toI
his friend all about his plans lie was going TO pay
s2o0 for the shelving, and $500 for he stock. me lhe
situation was a good one and he thought ne cMQuu M
make fair living there. he didn't refer plalAly
to his past life, but | could understand that ne
mad reformed and meant TO live honestly
Naturally | interested in his plans even
thought that the conviction OF his friend out IN tne
West through my agency had had something TO d9
with his determination. | felt particularly pleased
and really wished the fellow success In his new
shopkeeper. 49,,
THE two men got off at Twelfth-st, still talking
about the hat store. and rode TO my hotel Nhen
| went the desk the clerk asked me what WAS
the matter with my necktie | looked down ana
found IL all awry. | also found my scaripln gone
1t OF diamonds and rubes and fairly Vd!ldoie.
IF | wasn't dsgusted with myself. To be
robbed by pickpocket whom | knew TO be sucn
certainly humiating. could but admire my
light FINGERED acquaintance, for hadn't Deeh con-
scious that he had even touched me on the car
Al first thought would keep my disgrace 10 my
self but finally decided TO g 10 Police HeadqulrteTs
with city official whom ! knew well. told inc
thiefs name. which | fortunately lecolected. ana
my pin was back in my hands within forty y-eisht
hours. But | almost felt as II he was entlueu
10 IT,"
WAS he arrested asked OF the party.
NO he gave up the pin on promise or immunity
from arrest That's the way they used to DO thins'
here"