Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-27
Diamond Dick in Real Life.

THE notoriety Of Tommy Wallace rests
chiefly upon his theft of Toby Rosenthars
painting Elaine while II was on exhi-
btion in San Francisco in March, 1875.
with three confederates, two of whom
have since died. while the third subse-
quently reformed and became a respected
business man of New York state, Wallace
got into the basement of the building in
which the painting was being exhibited,
and, cutting the canvas from its massive
frame, rolled II up and escaped. Mrs.
Johnson the owner of the picture, offered
a reward of $4,000 for its recovery. Wal
lace was suspected, and when the police
found the painting In a closet in the
house where he lodged Wallace fed to
Oregon. where ne made the mistake of
smashing a show window in which a Jar
full Of nickels was on display. For this
he served five years at hard labor in the
Oregon penltentiary.
Returning to San Francisco at the ex-
piration of his term. Wallace one night
broke into the home of banker. The
family had just returned from the theatre
and Wallace was standing in the lower
hall when the banker and his wife sud
denly appeared upon the landing above.
Wallace might have escaped by dashing
out the front door, but this would have
been an exhibition of weakness unworthy
self upon being. with rare GOODNESS and
presence of mind he awaited the couple,
who, unconscious of his proximity, were
descending the staircase. When the
banker reached the hall, Wallace emerged
from the shadow and confronted him.
Who are your inquired the banker, in
alarm
sllencer said Wallace. in low voice.
There are burglars In the house. / am a
of "a Of
" My God!' shrieked the bankers wife.
we shall all be murderedr
q" Not while I am here to prevent II,
madam replied Wallace. with a bow
worthy OF Gentleman Dick He paused a
moment, then went to the door and open
ed 1t wide. Kindly stand on the porch,
he said, while I search the house. l will
let you know when to enter
THE banker and his wife obeyed the
command, and the next instant they stood
shivering In the cold night air with the
door locked behind them. Wallace en-
tered the dining room, and was ransack-
ing the slde-board when n servant burst
shrieking into the chamber. Disguised
with this display of weakness which
threatened disaster, Wallace drew a re-
volver and promptly shot her. This
sllenced her. and taking up his booty
Wallace leisurely left the house The
banker and his wife. alarmed at the sound
Of the shot, implored him to tell what had
happened lie answered that the burglars
had made their escape after wounding
the servant girl who had foolishly at
tempted TO stop them. Five years later
Wallace was convicted OF this crime and
sentenced to San Quentin prison for l;
years.
wallace is a man of wonderful re-
sources. which. had they been directed In
proper channels. might have made him q
success in almost any field OF human en-
deaVor. Combining remarkable courage
with shrewdness, he has operated in most
Of the larger cities with signal success
With a voice soft as velvet, and highly
| engaging manners, IL is no wonder thai
! he once succeeded in winning the love oil
a wealthy widow of Minneapolis whom
he was on the point OF marrying when g
meddling detective interfered by exposing
| him. Wallace is now doing time for ar
offense committed years ago. Like mos
! criminals whose silvery hair and deepen
/ ing wrinkles indicate that the period o.
! their usefulness is nearly ended, he say,
he will reform II the police will agree e
let him alone, tAinslee's Magazine.