The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-02-20
An Artist in His Lima.

IT have had my pockets picked in the United
States. in Germany, in Italy and in England
must say that these friends of the rogues' gal
lery photographer are skilled operators, but COM
pared with their colleagues in Russia-strange
it may seem-they children"
The speaker Engshman who had long
been in the consular service of Great Britain.
and held posts in almost every civilized country
on the globe. He was discussing the criminal
classes. An assertion regarding the Lexow COM
mttee had brought up the subject the other
night in an uptown hotel.
II tell you instance he went on,
the listeners drew their chairs closer to him.
(which happened only a short time ago. The
Grand Duke Sergius, now encouragement of
MOSCOW, gave a dinner to the ambassador from
France The guests We're discussing the
subject we, although they had had no revela-
tions from Russian Golf to suggest it. The
ambassador expressed the belief that the French
pickpockets were the greatest seight-of hand art
lists in the world
% I believe said the prince, that, unfortu-
nately perhaps our own are not inferior
Seeing smile of incredulity the face Of
his guest of honor, his imperial highness went on:
I" bet that before you leave my table your
watch and other objects of value which you
carry will be gone and that you will not know
that you have been robbed
THE bet taken. and the grand duke few
minutes later, unknown to his guests, telephoned
the chief of police to send the most sklful pick
pocket in St Petersburg to the palace, to assure
him that he was not to be punished, and that
he could have the value of all he stole.
The gentleman robber arrived, put on the
royal livery, and after arranging with the grand
duke to give sign when he had accomplished
his purpose. began to wait with the other serv-
ants at table. Considerable time passed before
the rogue succeeded in his purpose. the am
bassador, warned he had been, kept his hand
on his watch or chain when conversing with his
neghbors
AT last the prince received the signal from,
the pckpocket, and, turning the ambassador
asked him the time. The latter placed his hand
in his pocket and there found a cracker in the
place of his watch. There was a great outburst
Of laughter. and the ambassador, to cover his
disappointment, reached for his snuff box but
10. it, too, had disappeared Even his small
golden toothpick, which he carried in a little
pocket, had been taken.
Amid the peas of laughter, the false lackey
was asked to return the articles which he had
stolen. The hilarity of the grand duke was Of
snort duration, for the pckpocket showed two
watches, two rings and two snuff-boxes. His
imperial highness saw then that he, too had
been robbed. 1t was remunerative night for
the pickpocket, the best one. in fact, that he
had ever had. Ambassadors and grand dukes
were easy prey for him'-New York Tribune
DecCrOus Gentleman
He had his legs stretched across the aisle of
street car, when who had just got on
gave them kick which nearly slowed the other
off his seat He recovered himself and turned
and demanded
did you do that on purpose sir?
Eyes, sir" was the prompt reply
Wanted to pick fuss, did you?'
II wanted to teach you manners. 1t isn't
manners for man to stretch his legs across a
car"
Manners! You talk to me about manners.
Sir, do you know who 1 amp
mo, sir. and don't CARE
sDo you know that I've rid on a street car
more'n twenty timesr'
II thought this was your first tripv'
'Oh ye did? Well. it hain't not by a long
Mot I was right On this car last night and