The Forrest City times., 1899-05-12
Mai. KeIby's Courtship
By J. C. nissinootham
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HAVE lately, through several busi-
 ness stransactions, become acquainted with James Simbell, who has, in middle age, settled down to life of quietude and responsibility after a career full of dangers and excitement; for MT. Sim bell has been one of those whose profes- sion consists in breaking the eighth commandment.
 Mr. Simbell is something of philos- opher, and when you have won his con fdence does not mind speaking frank y about his past 'business."
 Tn the long run, it don't pay, sir, and that's the truth of it; and when that ere parson you knows of, as is so good to folks like was, got hold of me and promised to find me work, if I'd turn respectable, I jumped at the chance
 He found me work with coal mer- chant. decent sort of gentleman who knew what I'd been, and I got on so we'll that now I am coal merchant on my own account, and doing we'll, too. Yes, it pays better than night work, I assure you, sir.
 T drifted into it, for as youngster l never had chance. Father left mother and went abroad, and she took to the drink and left me to do as liked. Consequence was, got into the hands of a gang, and was trained pretty young how to sneak purses and what-not. was quick learner and I soon went into business with older chaps"
 Mir. Simbeli'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.
 Tt was Portland, sir, as I couldn't stand. The first time I got there ses to myself: No more of this crib for me, and yet l was fool enough to get back again in less than year."
 How was that?" I asked.
 Tt was woman as made fool of me- he said, curtly, after some hesi- tation.
 Mir. Simbell, like most people, greatly dislikes being laughed at; and it need ed all my powers of persuasion to in- duee 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 I did, as only little soft soap was wanted. But, crlcEavf She 6aan n aS-p
 Mr. Simbell's passions were rapidly rising, so soothed him down and got him to proceed with his story.
 You'll think I was silly idiot, I know, guvnor," he said, but you or any man that saw her would have been taken in.
 You see. it was this way. I'd been doing flyer down in Portland, and was out under supervision. I was very nearly starving for week or two, for though I went down to old Lesby. the fence l used to do biz with, the mean old thief only to give me miserable $2. threatened to round on him, but 1t was no good, and if it hadn't been for pal l met l should have been on my
 
 T went down then to Southampton 10 see pal of mine who pretended to nave turned respectable. It hadn't paid very well, l could see, and it was no trouble to persuade him to join me in one or two little operations. We cracked three cribs round Southampton and managed to keep out of the coppers' hands, but it was poor doings, and cash was very scarce. Why, sir, we were glad to take job as laborers for a bit to keep us from real starvation.
 After month or two we had another try at draper's shop few miles out o1 the town, and did lot better. We cracked the safe, and I'd nearly $200 Tor my share. I left Bill and went uown to Bournemouth to play the swell a oit. Why, in my check suit-I'd gone so good tailor-I looked a real swell,
 can tell you, and lot of nice girls .ooked my way when Maj. Kelby, as l Ssuec myself, strolied about the pier.