Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-11-13
AN ARTIST In CRIME.
MIR. Teddy Watkins Account of the
Hammsrpond Park Burglary

Hammsrpond Park Burglary
1t is moot point whether burglary
is to be considered MS q sport, n trade or
an art, For o trade, the technique il
scarcely rigid enough, and its claims to
be considered nn art are yltiatc1 by the
mercenary element that qualities its
triumphs. On the whole, it seems TO bc
most justly ranked us u sport--a sport
for which no rules are at present formu-
lated, and of which the prizes are dis
tributed in an extremely Informal ppn-
ner. twas this informality of burglary
that led to the regrettable extinction
of two promising beginners at Hammer
pond park.
The stakes offered in this affair con-
sisted chiefly Of dipmonds and other
personal bric-a-brac belonging to the
pewly-married Lady Ayeling. Her mar
riage to Lord Aveling extensively all
vertised in the papers, the quantity ana
quality of her wedding presents and the.
fact that the honeymoonwas to he spent
at Hnmmcrpond. The announcement
Of these valuable prizes created a con-
siderable sensation in the small circle
in which Mr.. Teddy Watkins was the
undisputed leader, and it wns decided
that accompanied by duly qualified
assistant, he should visit the village of
/ Hammerpond in his official capacity.
Being man Of naturally retiring and
modest disposition, Mr.. Watkins deter
mined 10 make his VISIT incog., and after
due consideration of the conditions of
his enterprise he selected the role of
landscape artist and the massuming'
surname of Smith. lie preceded his as
sistant, who, it was decided, should join
him only on the last afternoon of his
stay ut lIammerpond. Now, the village
of ITammerpond is perhaps one of the
prettiest little corners in Sussex; many
lhatched houses still survive, the flint
built church with its tall spire nesting
under the down is one of the finest and
least resorted in the county, and tho
beech woods and braclen jungles
through which the rond runs to tlia
great house are singularly rich in ,vhur
the vulgar artist and photographer call
"bits." So that Mr.. Watkins, on his
arrival with two virgin canvascs, a
brand-new easel, n paint box, portmnn-
teau, mn ingenious little ladder made in
sections. crowbar and wire coils, found
himself welcomed with cffusion and
some curiosity by half dozen other
brethren of the brush. II rendered the
disguise he had chosen unexpectedly.
plausible, but it. inflicted upon him n
considerable amount of aesthetic convcr-
sation, for which he was very imperfect
ly prepared.
"llave You exhibited very much p"
said young Person in the bar-parlor OF
the Coach and Horses" where Mr.. Wat
kins was skillfully accommodating local
information on the night. of his arrival.
"Very little" said Mr.. Watkins; Gus;
snack here and there"
Academy"
"In course. And ut the Crystal pal
ace"
"Did they hang you well 2" said Por-
son.
Don't rot" said Nh Watkins, II don't
like it,"
81 mean did they put you in goo,,
place."
"Whadyer menn2" said Mr.. Watkins.
suspiciously. "One 'ud think you were
trying to make out I'd been put away"
Porson had been broughtup by aunts.
and was sentlemanly young man even
for an artist; he did not know what be-
ing eput away" meant. but hc thought
1t best to explain that he intended moth
Ing of the sort. AS the question of hang.
ing seemed sore SPOT with Mr.. Wat
kins. he tried to divert the conversation
q little.
"Do you do fienre work ntall?p
NO, never he'd n head for figures"
: said Mr.. Watkins; "my miss = Mira.
+, Smith, mean, does all that"
"Sle paints, tool" said Person.
sThat's rather jolly"
! "Very,' said Mr.. Watkins. though he
really did not think so. and, feeling the
, conversation was drifting little be-
, yond his grasp. added: ~ came down
here to paint Hammerpond house by
moonlight"
"Reallyl" said Person. sThat,s rather
novel idea"
| "Yes." said Mr.. Watkins. 81 thought
II rather good notion when 1t occurred
10 me. expect to begin Tomorrow
night"
"Whptl You don't mean 10 paint In
the open. by night?"
- do. though"
But how will you see yopr cnnvas2"
"Have bloomin' eops--r began Mr..
Watkins. rising too quickly to the qucs
tiop, and then realizing this. basvled to
Miss Dnrgan for another glass of beer.
j"I'm goin' to have q thing called dark
lantern" he said to .f,orson.
"Dut it's about new mopn now" OBJ.
jected Person. "There won't lie any
moon"
! "Therell be hchouse," said Watkins,