The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-02-09
4 SAD PICKP0CKET.
naoo7p DcugeAN's STORY or HIS
MOST RECENT AFFucTIoN.


MOST RECENT EFFucTioN-
Fan After Hanson and Wasted Nearly
aDay Ia Pursuit II = Bogus PeAri-LonE
Chances ct Tree lunch cOunter--No
Prosperity For Him Now
The pickpocket stood On the corner
looking very discons0late. His coat col
lar was turned up, his hands were thrust
down into his pockets. and his hat was
tilted forward Until the rim was almost
le.eI with his eyes Silyersteins the
muller in at the clothing store two doors
from the corner. having held up IN vain
two sailors and a one armed soldier, LETT
his post to inquire the cause Of the pick
pockets woe.
Whats the matter, Hoot. be asked
Donegan, the pickpocket, known on
the row as Hoot. glanced up at Silver
stein. grunted ont an oath, and then
letting his head fall ON his breast again
relapsed into silence.
"What is it, Hoot:"
Silverstein was growing curious he
had done light fingered work for time
himself and knew something OF the
changing conditions Of a mans life
when be made himself an offensive en-
emy Of society
..See that, Jew?'' said the pickpoclet,
hauling a scarfpin from his vest pocket.
1t was a short gold pin, topped with
huge pearl Of that rare virgin pink
1t seemed to he a valuable bit, and Sill
vcrstein's eyes glistened as he looked at
il.
Take 1t 10 Cooney," he said IN
whisper. Hes safe. %
The pickpocl-et laughed in hollow
fashion. "Too safe, 4" be said. Then he
Strengthened up. threw his hat back On
his head and said:
"silverstein, in these days a man like
me amt got no license to live. What S
the skill Of MY hand, that can take most
ANYTHING from a screw stud to scarf
pin from a man without his knowing II,
against the brain Of man that can
make them thiDgs:'
Are you nutty, Hoot?'' inquired the
puIler in, cdging away.
'sNo, Jew, no; but listen to me. You
know the hotels are my graft and this
region down here my market. Well, L
was out spotting today, and finally
along comes a feller that sized up Ter
my meat. he was a dressy guy, with
all color ribbons on his hat and them
spready soles on his shoes. He had big
pink necktie on, and in it this here pin
was stuck. From the size of his chain,
/ said to myself that the punkin on the
end of il must be bird, but when l see
that pink pearl 1 decided TO let the
watch 60 and make for that
well, he was a nervous cuss, and l
couldn't get a chance at him fer long
time l followed him up Broadway aud
laid for him outside a restaurant while
he took lunch. Then he met lady, and
they took more lunch together. When
he came out, the two took a hanson,
and l hear him say 70 the driver,
Around the park Well, ] follow the
hanson 70 the park, and, seeing which
entrance it goes in, lay around the cir
Gle for il to come out again. Two hours
waited there, Jew, and then ! see the
hanson and runs off two pounds a-fol-
lowing it down town. My man, he leaves
the lady at house, then drives to the
corner Of Broadway and starts walking
Il I fD
I've got him. But didn't get him.
He meets a friend, and they 60 and play
billiards fer two more hours. Well,
was busting, / was so mad, but made
up my mind to stick. see a dozen juicy
chances 60 by, but couldn't leave that
pink pearl. My eyes watered at think
ing Of it and my fingers itched for 1t.
By and by my man comes out, and be
and his friend go in a saloon, one OF
them places where yon stand up at q
sideboard I followed and just as
my man lifts a glass up to drink
push against his friend. The friend
pushes against him, and he turns around.
was waiting, of course, and next min
ute the pearl was mine. It was long
chance jew, but you know a feller Il
take them once in awhile. When the
guy turns around, Twas chewing a sand
witch from the counter and bawling to
the waiter for check.
"Well, the guy misses the pin Damn
me if know what put him on. You
know don't mess a job like that, jew.
My heart was a-going hard, jew, but
almost falls over when / see him put his
hand up TO the tie, feel around ana then,
instead of hollering murder, police,
watch and dozen other things, just grin
and say to his friend, Some suckers got
q gold brick.
There was me with the pin in me
palm all ready to drop it in the salad on
the counter. When he don't make hol-
Ter, though, snakes her back in my
pocket and in two minutes am on the
way down 10 Cooney.
Il saw easy times and no chances fer
a couple of weeks ON the strength of that
pearl, jew, and when tossed it over to
COoney said, Give me $3.50, quarter
value. COoney whistles at the pin and
picks it up. Then he begin 10 look
queer. Finally he dips the pearl in q
glass of water and, picking up a knife,
r'help me, goes a peeling of that pinl
color. 'Cooney,' / yell, what are you
doing?' Fish glue, says Cooney. And
he throws the pin back.
''Well, il was one of them fish glue
pearls You've seen 'em-just a bit OF
glass painted over with fish glue, just
ringers for the real thing, but worth
about so cents. l walks out of Cooney 1
in a trance. / comes over here, and
amt moved fer an hour. Think of il,
Jew. think of it, all day and a long
chance fer that thing Take it and give
it to yer gal the next time you 90 up tc
Jones woods S'help me. if l ever find
that guy touched fcr that III pick q
fight with him and lick him. Goodby.
I'm going home and get some rest Chas
ing hansoms is hard work. And the
pickpocket strolled down q side street
ths picture CT melancholy.-New York
sun
Not on the rlaybm.
THE funniest thing I ever saw in th,
line of business?" echoed the leading
theatrical manager OF Detroit. at wal
right here in this city, and actual,
laughed till they had TO call doctor Il
take the kinks outof my ribs OF cours'
this viii handicap the story. for cal
never make the incident appear as ride
ulous as it was
I'VE were having a corking show
and a big rush at the Whitney Grand