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

without excuse, No one has usurped yorl
name and fortune, stolon your ances
tral home or intended bride; neither
have you been outlawed for your politi
cal or religious beliefs or unjustly ao
cused Of crime.
The big burglar looked extremely
blank at this pointed address and took,
grumbling, q drink Of whisky. Mr..
Graham promptly came to his compan'
ions relief.
"You have made out a prima facie
case, as the lawyers say, but the fact
remains that there is fascination ir
the life we lead and some romance.
There is mystery about it, for one thing,
and danger for another. Then we GER
tainly have the sympathy Of certain
class of society when we are prisoners.
"Is not the sympathy to which you
allude confined to murderers, especially
those who kill their wives?''
"As a rule, yes" admitted Graham,
"but the people who have sympathy
for murderers generally have such 6
superabundance that they can spare
some for us. have known burglars tc
receive six bouquets In O single day,
and from real ladies too"
II am afraid" said Mr.. Braithwait,
with smile, "that the sympathy ex-
tended with such small discretion has
little market value. But let US pass that
by and glance at the disagreeable side Of
your profession. For instance, this
night you have walked from the city,
the nearest point of which is three
miles"
"We come FOUR" growled Baxter.
"Well, four. and four back is eight.
1t could not have been pleasant walk,
as the night is cloudy and the roads are
heavy from recent rains"
"There warn't no choice" said Bax-
ter savagely. "We had to walk"
"There it is" said Mr.. Braithwait
triumphantly, "you had to walk. Now,
don't have to walk; ride in the train
or my carriage at any hour of the day
or night. No honest man has to walk
if he has money, and of course you
have"
"The point" admitted Mr.. Graham
reluctantly, "is we'll taken"
II feel certain of 1t. Nor is this the
only instance in which your pleasure il
marred by fear. The very fame fol
which you strive is constant bar to
your enjoyment. If you take lodging al
hotel, you are elected. You may be
refused admittance to any respectable
theater; in any place Of entertainment,
except the very lowest. you cannot make
new acquaintance for fear he may be
detective plotting your capture; you
are compelled to eat, drink and sleeI
among vile associates and vulgar sur
roundings, and all for pitiful $9, 00C
q yearl By heaven, it is worth $50, OO0P'
"You use strong language, sir," e1'
claimed the youngest burglar, rising
and pacing the floor in an agitated way.
~ do" admitted the master Of the
house, because my business sense il
outraged By your stupidity"
"Stupidityl" echoed Graham sharply.
"That is the word" returned Mr..
Braithwait sternly. "Your profession
requires acuteness, courage, skill, eau
tion and endurance. Gentlemen, these
are admirable traits, and with them
you might be anything but burglars.
The banking institutions, railways,
private and civic corporations are eager
for such men. They pay them large
wages and grant them great privileges.
The governments, state and national,
want such men, and are looking fol
them, while they are skulking through
city alleys or walking miry roads al
midnight. Gentlemen, with all your
qualifications, you lack the one essential
to success-common sense"
"Permit me-" said Graham, leaning
over the table and speaking with much
force, Ito call your attention to the fact
that we are bright enough to keep 30
oiety eternally on the defensive.
"Granted, said Mr.. Braithwait.
"Small in numbers though we are,
we necessitate the employment Of a po'
lice force in every village. town and
city in the Union, to say nothing OF
special constables and private watch,
men. We force every bank and corpora
ton to sink thousands in costly safes,
locks and other safeguards, and nc
householder is ever free from apprehen'
sion on our account We are one against
many, so to speak, but we make the
many tremble. Could we exercise this
power without brains?"
"Aye, could we?" supplemented
Montgomery, with flashing eyes,
"Granted again." said Mr.. Braith'
wait oheerfully. "but quite foreign tC