Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-10-28

could extract pleasure from adversely
lies in the fact that it brings me in con-
tact with profession have previous.
ly known only by hearsay. suppose 1
may take it for granted you gentlemen
are experts?"
"We've been there before. said Ba1-
ter coarsely.
"If an experience of IA years Is any
guarantee, then am an expert, " said
Graham, with certain air Of pride in
his tones "Our friend, there" nod
ding at Baxter, ''has, believe, been in
the profession since childhood, while
Mr.. -" indicating Montgomery with
his cigar-'you'll excuse my not men-
tioning names-is beginner. A skilled
workman, admit, but this is only his
second year."
II don't wonder that he," and Mr..
Braithwait glanced slightly at Baxter,
"remains in the business, but that you
should follow the vocation for IA years
surprises me greatly"
"Indeed?" queried Graham, with per-
C6pUlDl0 bGluueSS. "uyf
because you appear to be sensible
man, and should not think the busi-
ness would pay. What Is your annual
income as burglarr'
"On an average, I should say $S, 900
a year."
"And you are an expertl I receive
SO, 900 a year, and I am only assistant
general freight agent and have been 10
years in the business. Then may in
fer that these two gentlemen make much
less than So, 000?"
"I've seen the week when I didn't
make hod carriers wages" growled
Baxter, who had now finished eating
and was I eparing to smoke a black
wooden pipe.
"You're not 30 sensible as I thought, I"
rejoined Mr.. Braithwait frankly. II
can easily imagine man exposing
himself to dreadful dangers and cruel
privations when there is great prize
in view. An explorer like Stanley, a
pioneer like Pike or Fremont, con-
queror like Cortez or revolutionist
like Washington could we'll brave hard
ship and peril when success meant
wealth as we'll as the plaudits Of their
fellow men. The early settlers Of this
and every other country, the gold hunt.
ers Of 1849, the pirates who ravaged the
seas, all were actuated by the hope Of a
fortune at one swoop, but to risk prison,
to say nothing Of life itself, for day
laborer's wages'-
"But," spoke up Montgomery quick
ly, "there is fame, if not fortune"
"Pardon me. In what way9"
"In the usual way. Who has not
heard Of Hickey, the man who cracked
30 banks before they tripped him up;
Peters, the New England cracksman {;
Bronthers, the Chicago expertf"
II hope" said Braithwait gently, 81
won't offend you when say I never
heard of those gentlemen"
SIS it possible?"
Honestly, never did,"
"You have surely heard Of Red
Leary?"
~ can't recall his name"
George Post2 Louis Ludlum? Pete
Mccartney Miles Ogle?"
"Don't know them"
"Perhaps," sarcastically, "you don't
read the papers?"
eyes, l do, and I have good mem
ory. can say without boasting that l
have on my tongues end all the pro-
fessional, literary and artistic names in
America and many in Europe. In my
library have many biographies, but
none of which burglar is the theme,
nor do I recall the name Of a celebrated
criminal, unless" pleasantly, "he has
been hanged"
"Yet there are famous names In our
profession" persisted the young bur-
glar, somewhat sullenly.
"Oh, yes, admitted Mr.. Braithwait,
taking a small drink Of claret. Litter
ature has preserved Claude Duval, Jack
Sheppard, Dick Turpin-all hung-Fra
Diavolo, who was shot, and even our
own james and Younger boys, and I
have heard vaguely of one Billy the Kid,
somewhere out west. In q general sense,
literature and the drama are saturated
with bandits, brigands and outlaws,
sometimes comical, sometimes heroic,
but you will excuse me if I maintain
that you stand OH different footing.
Those fellows always had poetical
backing; somebody or something bad
driven them to their illegal calling, bnt
you can scarcely make similar clsim. 4"
II don't know about that" protested
Baxter doggedly. "Who'd give me q
job?'
Ibid you ever try?'
"No; nor amt goin to-"
"As I supposed. Honest work is
plentiful. therefore you are absolutely