Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-10-31
my airofinterest was gradually loosen

my irofinterest was gradually loosen
ing his tongue.
Yes; I'm converted now" he con-
tinued, and of course am a happier
man for that. And yet" he added
wistfully, there are times when long
for the old trade again, and fancy my
self strolling out on cloudy night
with my jimmy in my pocket. left a
name behind me in my profession, sir
was one of the old school, you know
1t was very seldom that we bungled n
job We used to begin at the foot of
the ladder the rope ladder, if | may
say so, in my younger days, and then
work our way up, step by step, so that
we were what you might call good
men all through
II see" said l.
81 was always reckoned a hard-work-
ing conscientious man, and had talent,
too--the very cleverest of them allowed
that | began as blacksmith, and
then did little engineering and car
pentering, and then | took to sleight-
of-hand tricks, and then to picking
pockets. | remember, when was home
on a visit, how my poor old father used
to wonder why was always lowering
around him. lie little knew that |
used to clear everything out Of his
pockets dozen times a day, and then
replace them, just to keep my hand in.
He believes to this day that am In an
office in the city. There are few Of
them could touch me in that particular
line Of business, though"
II suppose 1t is matter of practice?"
| remarked.
ITO great extent. Still, man
never quite loses 1t, II he has once been
an adept-excuse me; you have dropped
some cigar ash on your coat and he
waved his hand politely in front Of my
breast, as if to brush 1t off. There"
he said, handing me my gold scarf pin,
you see | have not forgot my old cum
ming yet"
Ia had done it SO quickly that |
hardly saw the hand whisk over my
bosom, nor did ! feel his fingers touch
me, and yet there was the pin rl't.,. ~.
ing in his hand, SIT :, wonderful . '
.:.ia as fixed 1T again in its place,
"0h, that's nothing But | have
been in some really smart jobs. was
In the gang that picked the new patent
safe, You remember the case. 1t was
guaranteed to resist anything; and we
managed to open the first that was
ever issued, within week of its APP
pearance. 1t was done with graduated
wedges sir, the first so small that you
could hardly see 1t against the light
and the last strong enough to prize it
open. 1t was clever managed affair y
81 remember it," said !. but surely
some one was convicted for that?'
Eyes, one was nabbed. But he didn't
split, nor even let on how 1t was done,
We'd have cut his soul out #" He
suddenly damped down the very ugly
fires which were peeping from his eyes,
Perhaps ! am boring you, talking
about these old wicked days Of mine?'
ION the contrary" said, you in
terest me extremely"
Il like to get a listener l can trust.
It's sort Of blow-off, you know, and |
feel lighter after 1t. When am among
my brethren | dare hardly think Of
what has gone before, Now I'll tell
you about another job | was in. TIC
this day, cannot think about 1t with
out laughing
lit another cigar, and composed my
self to listen.
ut was when was a youngster,
said he There was big city man in
those days who was known to have a
very valuable gold watch. | followed
him about for several days before |
could get chance; but when did get
one, you may be sure did not throw it
away. He found, to his disgust, when
he got home that day that there was
nothing in his fob hurried off with
my prize, and got it slowed away in
safety, intending to have it melted
down next day Now, it happened
that this watch possessed a special
value in the owners eyes because II
was d sort of ancestral possession--pre-
sented by his father on coming Of age,
or something Of that sort remember
there was long inscription on the
back. He was determined not to lose
1t If he could help it, and accordingly
he put an advertisement In an evening
paper offering thirty pounds reward
for his return, and promising that pc
questions should be asked. He gave
the address of his house, 81 Caroline
square, a. the end of the advertisement.
The thing sounded good enough, so
set off for Caroline square, leaving the
watch In parcel at a public house
which | passed on the way When
got there, the gentleman was at dinner
but he came out quick enough when he
heard that Il young man wanted to see
him | suppose he guessed who the
young man would prove to be- He was
gcnial-looking old fellow, and he led
me away with him into his study
lowell, my lad, said he, what is it?
1--we come about. that watch OF
rs, said i think | can lay my
hands on it,
"'0h, it was you that took it, sale
he.
'"No, / answered; I know nothing
whatever about how You lost it. have
been sent by another party to See you
about it. Even II you have me arrest
ed you will not find out anything.