Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-05-18
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turn Respectable, jumped AZ tne
chance.
'sHe found me work with q coal mer-
chant, q decent sort of a gentleman who
knew what I'd been, and got on SO
well that now I am coal merchant on
my own account, and doing well, too.
Yes, it pays better than night work, I
assure you, sir.
II drifted into it, for a. q youngster
I never had chance. Father left
mother and went abroad, and she took
to the drink and left me to do as I liked.
Consequence was, got into the hands
Of q gang, and was trained pretty young
how to sneak purses and what-not. I
was q quick learner and soon went
into business with older chaps"
Mr.. Simbell's knowledge Of her maj
esty's prisons is extensive and peculiar,
though he congratulates himself that
only twice was he sent to enjoy the sea
breezes at Portland.
at was Portland, sir, as couldn't
stand. The first time got there I SEES
to myself: ''No more Of this crib for.
me- and yet was fool enough to get
back again in less than a year"
"How was that?" asked.
ut was woman as made fool of
me-" he said, CURLY, after some hest
cation.
Mr.. Simbell, like most people, greatly
dislikey being laughed at; and it need
ed all my powers of persuasion to in
duce him to tell me the story of how
woman betrayed him.
'Women," he said, vehemently, "you
can never trust in that line of biz or
any other line, for the matter Of that.
She was one of them innocent-looking,
lady-like sort, nothing flash; and you'd
have thought, same as did, as only q
little soft soap was wanted. But,
crickey! She was as deep as"
Mr.. Simbell's passions were rapidly
rising, so I soothed him down and got
him to proceed with his story.
''You see, it was this way. I'd been
doing FLYER down in Portland, and
was out under supervision. Twas very
nearly starving for week or two, for
though I went down to old Lesby, the
fence I used to do biz with, the mean
old thief only to give me q miserable 81.
threatened to round on him, but it
was no good, and If it hadn't been for q
pal I met should have been on my
beam ends.
81 went down then to Southampton
to see pal of mine who pretended to
have turned respectable. It hadn't paid
very well, could see, and it was no
trouble to persuade him to join me in
one or two little operations. Wecracked
three cribs round Southampton and
managed to keep out Of the coppers'
hands. but it was poor doinga, and cash
was very scarce. Why, sir, we were
glad to take job as laborers for bit
to keep us from real starvation.
.'After month or two we had another
try at Diapers shop few miles out
of the town, and did lot better. We
cracked the safe, and I'd nearly 5000
for my share. I left Bill and went
down to Bournemouth to play the swell
a bit. Why, in my check suit-Td gone
to good tailor-I looked . real swell,
can tell you, and lot Of nice girls
looked my way when Maj. Kelby, as I
called myself, strolled about the pier.
81 put up at one of the best hotels
and spent freely, and the cash began
to give out, SO had to think of bust
ness again. looks round and Ispotted
q fine house near the West cliff-two
! old maids, as rich as Rothschids, I
was told. They'd got fine lot of jew
elry, got to know, but they'd never
wore It; they lived as plain as If they'd
only $500 year. They kept one man,
who was gardener and coachman, and
two girls. The cook was about 50, I
should say, a big Scotchwoman; but the
housemaid, Lizzy Leeds, was young and
pretty and iDnocent-looking. You'll do
for me- ses to myself, and one even
ing when she went out goes up to her
an raises my hat as polite as a duke.
Excuse me- says, but am speaking
to Miss Mordell, believer
No. she says, but could zee at
once she was taken with my grand
ways. turned on the sentimental tap,
you bet, sir. Well, she swallowed it all
like jam, and told me she went to the
post Office nearly every evening.
nc uSX1 NVc0AuS WoS waiting AOk
her with q tine bokey, and I got on
first rate. She stopped five minutes at
the gate while I told her how pretty
she was, and Kissed her hand on part
ing. Before the end of the week I'd
kissed her in the proper place and given
her bracelet pumped her all could.
and she answered as inocently as q
lamb.
The next Wednesday was her after
noon out, and I took her for sail, and
gave her good tea afterwards. went
ahead like an express; told her all
about my estate In Cheshire, and bought
her ring, and we fixed that day three
nonths for the wedding day.
"Tke next Sunday evening found
ont she wonld be all alone. for the two
old ladies' and the cook were going to
church. Then I'm coming in to zee
you, my DEAR says I: I'm sure it's
1oudy for you in that big house by
yon5en. You shall show me round the
f q