The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-06-08

Everything in my profession. had no
idea you were looking. .
II can see without looking" he an
swered. Il thought you were a de-
tective, at first; but couldn't recall
your face at the time ! knew the force.''
Were you Adjective, then?" said II
No." he answered, with a laugh: II
was the other thing-the detected, YOU
know, Old scores are wiped out now,
and the law cannot touch me, so II
don't mind confessing to gen tleman.
like yourself, what scoundrelI have
been in my time. >"
| 1--WE are none of US perfect" said l.
mo; but was real out-and-outer,
fake you know, to start with, and
afterwards a 'cracksman. It is easv
to talk of these things now, for I've
changed my spirit. It's as if was
talking of some other man, you see. ~
Exactly So" said |. Being a med,
ical man had none of that shrinking
from crime and criminals which manv
men possess could make all allow
ances for congenital influence and the
force of circumstances. No company,
therefore, could have been more ac-
ceptable to me than that of the old
malefactor; and as I sat putting at nv
cigar, was delighted to observe that
my air of interest was gradually loosen
ing his tongue. 'szr
Eyes; I'm converted now" he con-
tinued, land of course am a happier
man FOR that. And yet" he added
wistfully, "there are times when long
for the old trade again, and fancy nv
self strolling out on cloudy night
with my jimmy in my pocket. left a
name behind me in my profession, sir.
l was one of the old school, you know.
1t was very seldom that we bungled
job We used to begin at the foot of
the ladder, the rope ladder, if may
say so, in my younger days, and then
work our way up, step by step, so that
we were what you might call good
men all through"
II see," said I.
II was always reckoned a hard-work-
ing, conscientious man, and had talent,
too-the very cleverest of them allowed
that. began as a blacksmith, and
then did little engineering and car
pentering, and then I took to sleight-
of-hand tricks, and then to picking
| pockets. remember, when was home
on visit, how my poor old father used
to wonder why I was always lowering
around him. He little knew that /
used to clear everything out of his
pockets dozen times day, and then
replace them, just to keep my hand in.
He believes to this day that am in an
Office in the city. There are few of
them could touch me in that particular
line of business, though"
II suppose it is matter of practice?''
I remarked. ,
never quite loses it, if he has once been
an adept-excuse me; you have dropped
some cigar ash on your coat" and he
waved his hand politely in front of my
breast, as if to brush it off. There"
he said, handing me my gold scarf pin,
you see have not forgot my old cum
ming yet"
He had done it SO quickly that
hardly saw the hand whisk over nv
bosom, nor did feel his fingers touch
me, and yet there was the pin glitter
ing in his hand. 1T is wonderful"
said as I fixed it again in its place.
'Oh, that's nothing! But I have
been in some really smart jobs. l was
in the gang that picked the new patent
safe. You remember the case It was
guaranteed to resist anything; and we
managed to open the first that was
ever issued, within a week of it's ap-
pearance. twas done with graduated
wedges, sir, the first so small that YOU
could hardly see it against the light,
and the last strong enough to prize it
open. 1t was clever managed affair.""
II remember it," said l. But surely
some one was convicted for that?"c
Eyes, one was nabbed.> But he didn't
split, nor even let on how it was done.
We'd have cut his soul out if" He
suddenly damped down the very ugly
fires which were peeping from his eyes.
perhaps I am boring you, talking
about these old wicked days of mine?''
ION the contrary said, ''you in
terest me extremely 49,
II like to get a listener can trust
It's sort of blow-off, you know, and
feel lighter after it. When am among
my brethren l dare hardly think Of
what has gone before. Now, I'll tell
you about another job was in. To
this day, cannot think about it with
out laughing" s.
lit another cigar, and composed N.Y.
self to listen.
1T was when l was younrster. e"
said he. ''There was big city man in
those DAYS who was known to have a
very valuable gold watch. l followed
him about for several days before I
could get a chance; but when l did get
one, you may be sure I did not throw it
away. lie found, to his disgust, when
he got home that day, that there was
nothing in his fob. hurried off with
my prize, and got it slowed away in
safety, intending to have it melted
down next day. Now, it happened
that this watch possessed special
value in the owners eyes because it
was sort of ancestral possession-pre-
sented by his father on coming of age,
or something of that sort. remember
there was long inscription on the
back. He was determined not to lose