The Irish standard., 1899-04-08
A Criminal Received Aid From
the Churchman
AND ABANDONED HIS WICKED WAYS
The Money Borrowed Was Repaid
with Gratitude.

The Chicago Chronicle is responsible
for the following story of Archbishop
Corrigan and the burglar, and as it
makes interesting reading it is given for
what it is worth:
At the home Of Mrs. A. Westervelt,
No. 7 West Fiftieth street, in New York
city, one afternoon two or three weeks
ago, Archbishop Corrigan praised the
prison work of Mrs. Foster, the "Tombs
angel and then told this story:
There came to the archiepiscopal resi-
dence one day a man of middle age and
athletic build. He was cleanly shaven,
was comfortably clad and had the man.
ners OF gentleman. His forehead was
high and white and under it were gray
eyes, keen, capable arid set far apart.
The nose was aquiline, the lips firm,
the chin heavy and the jaw underhung
1t was the face OF a man who might
have been lawyer, a professional pugi-
list of the higher class, an actor Of
robust parts or soldier Whatever his
trade or calling, aggressiveness was
stamped all over him. One hand was
neatly gloved, but the other showed
crooked fingers and a calloused palm
Seeing this, the archbishop mentally
appraised him as superior workman
and waited for what he had to say. The
man took seat without invitation,
cleared his throat and began:
This is your sitting, room, bishop
Back of it is your bedroom. Back OF
that is the dining-roon. Your carpets
are soft carpets. The foot sinks into
them almost ankle-deep. They are a
rich mans carpets. They are noiseless.
l like them"
"Glad OF that said the bishop
'sDoubtless you know about such things
You have the plan OF these rooms ac-
curately enough. Are you an uphol-
sterer?"
Il am what I am" responded the
visitor slowly Il am product Of these
times and conditions. am a manu-
factured product, but the industry
which made me is not protected by tar
iff I am lousebreaker.
The bishop started slightly from the
depth of his easy chair and glanced
swiftly at the call bell which stood near
to his hand. Then he settled back,
joined the tips OF his slim. aristocratic
fingers and said softly: ".Ah! Do YOU
find that it pays?"
Il haven't cent" was the reply.
Il did not mean financially! l mean
do you find yourself any the better for
it? Are you happy in it? Do you get
good out Of life? If you had son
would you advise him to follow your
calling? l take you to be man of ex-
perience. Looking back over the years
are you glad or sorry that you learned
to use jimmy? Would you rather be
a housebreaker than the driver of an
express cart, for instance, or gripman
on cable car?"'
The man thought little while. A
wrinkle. like a swordcut, n1arred his
white forehead. "It has not paid" he
said finally. II do not get good out of
life Yes, would rather drive the cart. "
why don't you do it, then?"
"Where is the cart?''
The bishop stopped, puzzled, He was
casting about for reply. The man
smiled grimly. II can give you note
to the manager Of an express company"
said the prelate finally "It would get
you employment. l do not say that l
will give it,
"You may spare yourself the trouble" "
the fellow answered. "I might drive
the wagon half mile before police
mans hand would fasten in my collar.
have done time at Sing Sing, bishop.
You should understand that am pro-
fessional criminal. My face is in every
rogues gallery in America, and in Eng
land too, for that matter. The law has
good memory"
"There are other employments? the
bishop suggested tentatively. "You are
strong man. This is working world.
A good pair of hands is one Of the most
valuable things in it. There should be
room for you somewhere"
"There may be. Certainly it is not
here, nor in any large city"
"Have you tried to obtain employ
ment?"