The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-27
man might recognize too many or


stairway which led to the saloon and
stood for moment looking about him,
he was little surprised at the pros.
pcct. Thc faro and roulette games
were well patroniZcd. and several
games of poker were in progress. Yet
tho quiet. gentlemanly behavior of
all in the place made 1t difficult to be-
levc that he was in the presence of
tie principal criminals out of prison.
His entrance attracted scarcely any
attention. Two or three turned and
looked ct him. but, failing to recognize
him, reverted to their games.
Quite family party, amt it?" said
Slippery Sam in lowered tones.
~ most extraordinary group,
should say" responded Mr.. Mitchell.
provided these men are really crimi-
nails"
We'll, we like the word crooks bet.
ter" said Sam suggcstivcly, IAN if
you don't mind I'd rather you'd use it."
why. certainly. If you desire It,"
said Mr.. Mitchell. "But what is the
dilrcrcrcc?"
This seemed to be poser for Sam.
WHO shifted uneasily moment,
searching for satisfactory reply,
which finally shaped itself thus:
well. you soc. amt no scholar, so
amt good at definitions. I've spent so
much time in Jail an the prison. libra,
r., as rule. Is so meager that l
might say my cducation's been neglect
cd. But there's n point Of difference
that has weight here tonight, an that
| can tell you. You see. criminals is
what the Judges calls us, an Crooks is
what we calls ourselves. Are you cn?"
Not fully. Make it palmer"
why, don't you see, II one Of this
crowd heard YOU talkin about Grim
inalS' he'd twig you in q minute? He'd
know yen wasn't crook yourself,
az that'd be bad"
"Ah, yes, OF course! Evidently the
less have TO say the less likely will
be to get into trouble by making mis-
takcS.'
Yes, but don't talk too little neither.
II you're too stiil, they'll be on to you
just as Quicl; as If you open your trap
too wide. Rut YOU was askin If these
men are Ill crooks. Yes. sir, an n
more s&!lifuller crowd in their way
don't exist. Now. there's Il man over
there hy thc roulette, the chap with
tie long tailed coat an the choker.
Size him III IN what do you make his
tota!:"
40 you mean what position in life
would | accord to him? Well. that is
not an easy problem at any time. and
under present circumstances IL be-
comes GOubiy difficult. Yet | must con-
fGsS that he seems strangely out Of
place here. for do you krow-it may
make you laugh to hear It'll should
take him for Il Salvation Army man"
Say. mister, you're bird, you are,
regular eagle fer seein into things.
Locks Hike Salvation Army, does he?
Well, that's precisely Ills lay. You
ought to hear him leadin q meetin an
takin lambs into the fold oh, dear,
but he's saved more souls than we've
got fnScis M toes. But, then, for all
that, he's got another business on the
side. Give guess at that. What would
you say WIS his regular profession
nowt How does he iiveT"
Judging Ey his earnestness at pres
cnt. lie might lie card sharp" ven
tured Mr.. Mitchell.
sharp? You're right enough when
You speak that word. But not cards. 10,
Sir: lie never touches 'em. He's Just
emusin himself at that wheel, but he'll
leave 1t pretty soon. No, sir; he's q
fence an the best known IL the city an
never been even suspected by the po-
lice, much less arrested. Oh, yes; he's
sharp! Well, I guess"
In this strnin Sam rambIed on, point
ing out the various prominent cri:ni-
nails in the apartment and giving
graphic details OF their careers. so that
Mr.. Mitche! was enjoying himself
hugely ard ct the same time obtaining
quite an insight into the habits CT a
class which had al~'ays Interested him
to wit, the Uncaptu-od criminals.
Surely among these were those with
the greater share OF brains.
But the more lie saw and heard Of
the men around him tie more impa-
tiCnt he grew to sec Preacher Jim. the
man who had announced that he would
lecture to criminals upon crime.
The Siren had passed far beyond the
lights OF the city, and Coney Islands
thousands OF electric lamps made but
bright streak Oh tie horizon, when ut
last there Was movement which
promised the fulfiilmcnt Of his desire
The card tables were taken away by
attendants who seemed to have bcea
drilled to the task. so rapidly did they
accomplish 1t. Camp stools were ar
ranged III rows. and the company
found places facing one table Which
had been left ut the farther end OF the
saloon.
In the inevitable confusion attendant
upon this scramble for seats. orderly
though it was, Mr.. Mitchell was sepa-
rated from Sam for n moment. Just