The broad ax., 1896-11-28

ErOm an OlQ Prlnt-)
lar" and In other memorials OF Ia
nous criminals, shows that though
Jack had no scrupulous objections to
highway robbery, II circumstances
were convenient, yet his principal oc-
cupation, and that by which he made
his living, was the less romantic one
Of burglary or house breaking. Indeed,
his exploits on the highway were not
attended with such brilliant success
or such large profits rs to lead him TO
follow that line Of business exclusively.
For instance, hif first attempt pro-
duced only the paltry sum Of two shil-
lings and sixpence! He stopped
coach, but a lady's maid was the sole
occupant, and half a crown all her
worldly wealth, and even this tri1ing
sum he could obtain only by threaten
ing the attendant footman with pis-
toll, and thus putting an end to his gal
liant defense Of the lady. His second
essay was not much more prosperous.
He stopped a gentleman on the Hamp-
stead road, who was returning In a
cheerful and elevated condition from
some convjvial party, but 8 shillings
was his sole reward. Even a stage
coach which he calamity assaulted
next day furnished him with only 20
shillings.
The real genius Of Jack Sheppard
found no scope in the commonplace
Money or your life" method Of rob
berry; 1t was In burglary that his war
Vicious skill In breaking bolts and bars
and picking locks had full play. Dur
ing his residence in Wych street, where
he WIS apprenticed to a carpenter
named Wood, he used often to stay out
till a late hour drinking in neighbor-
ing tayerns; but bolts and bars were
nothing to him and, however carefully
he was shut out at night, he was al
WAYS found comfortably In bed next
morning. Stepney has the honor Of be-
ing his birthplace. His father died
when he was quite q child, not, how
| ever. I'm the sudden and ignominious
manner suggested by Harrison Aims
worth. for he was an honest and hard
| working carpenter. Jack went to
| school for a short time In Bishopgate
| street. and was apprenticed to Mr..
| wood through the kindness Of friend
| OF his mother, a Mr.. kneebone, lin
| en DRAPER of Drury lane. There he
maintained a good character Tor about
sin wears. but In the last year OF his
anprenticeship he took to frequenting
q disreputable ale house, the Black
| lion in Drury lane. This was favor
lie resort of the thieying fraternity, no
tabIv of members Of Jonathan Wild's
Formidable gang. and there Jack made
| ecouaintance with such disrePutable
Characters as Joseph Blake, nicknamed
! RIueskin and Bowling James Sykes,
more appropriately known as Hell ana
/ Fury There, too, he made friends
Nth Edgeworth Bess, who became his
| coT1nanion In many Of his robberies
and assisted him In many Of his es-
canes He soon Initiated his friends Ii
| thai- business Of plundering the public
snd took advantage OF his admission
into houses as q carpenter to do re
4 neirs to carry on any portable prop
s-tv ON which he could lay his hands.
| Tho natural result was a quarrel with
1 his resuectabie master, Wood, whom
| - 6naiIv left ten months before his
| .nnrenticeship was out. He then took
- rol,bing right and left, but II IL not
| g. his irobberies that he Is celebrated,
1 hS,t for his marvellous escapes
ua tirst got into trouble over burg
80 In clarke street. which be had M
Aa-+sFan I'm company vita his brother,
Tso-,ss who confined he occupation
j = e.-nentry and house i,reaking. JACK
% rsntured through The treacherouz
49,. az Hell and Fury who lureo
-. - an eating house In Seven Diaia
49, skitfles and then sent ouf fol
20 P .as He was promptly impris
n the upper part Of the round
ens AZ St Giles which was two
nouss high but the next day the
stol.S ,sn found that the bird had
wa vac Win the assistance OF raEol
n9n lLl.,,,sved TO break open the top Of
~, ~ round house. and. fwisnee = 80,
-. ID blanket int rSrA ~ =
u :. <afcfy.