The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-23

name aud fortune, stolen your ances-
tral home or intended bride; neither
have you been outlawed for your politi-
cal or religious beliefs or unjustly ac-
cused of crime. %
The big burglar looked extremely
blank at this pointed address and took,
grumbling, a 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 in
the life we lead and some romance.
There is mystery about ii, for one thing,
and danger for another. Then we GER
tainly have the sympathy of q 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?''
CAS- a rule, yes" admitted Graham,
"bu5 the people who have sympathy
for murderers generally have such a
superabundance that they can spare
some for Us. have known burglars to
receive six bouquets in a single day,
and from real ladies too.
81 am afraid, said Nj. Braithwait,
with a smile, "that the sympathy e1-
tended with such small discretion has
little market value But letus 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 -
eve come FOUR growled Baxter.
"Well, four, and four back is eight.
It could not have teen a pleasant walk,
as the night is cloudy and the roads are
heavy from recent rains.
ssThere warn't no CHOICE said Bax-
ter savagely. 1--WE had to walk.
.sThere it is said Mr.. Braithwait
triumphantly, "you had to walk. Now.
I 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. %
ssThe point, admitted Mr.. Graham
reluctantly, is we'll taken. %
81 feel certain Of it. Nor is this the
only instance in which your pleasure is
marred by fear. The very fame for
which you strive is constant bar to
your enjoyment. If you take lodging at
a 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
a new acquaintance for fear he may be
detective plotting your capture; you
arc compelled to eat, drink and sleep
among vile associates and vulgar sur
roundings, and all for pitiful So, 600
year! By heaven, it is worth $50, o00p'
"You use strong language, sir, +" ex-
claimed the youngest burglar, rising
and pacing the floor in an agitated way.
.tI do,' admitted the master of the
house, because my business sense IS
outraged by your stupidity. .
.Stupidityr' echoed Graham sharply.
"That is the word" returned MIR.
Braithwait sternly. 'Your profession
requires acuteness, courage, skill, eau
ton 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 fo1
them, while they are skulking through
CITY alleys or walking miry roads at
midnight. Gentlemen, with all your
qualifications, you lack the one essential
to success-comnion sense. .
"Permit ne, said Graham, leaning
over the table and speaking with much
force, "to call your attention to the fact
that we are bright enough to keep so.
ciety etecnally on the defensive -
'.Granted, !" said Mr. Braithwalt.
sssmall IN numbers though we are,
we necessitate the er' oloyment of Pc
lice force in ever, 4llage, town aid
city in the Union, TO say nothing OF
special ccnstables 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 cheerfully, "but quite foreign to
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