Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-09-29
THE CHECK A TALE OF A FENCE

on the first floor of his crazy old house in Brick Lane. His charwoman had been paid her few pence, and had gone home hours ago. He kept no domestic; he was able to help himself to his scanty supper of stale bread and dry cheese. While he consumed the delicate victuals he was running over his account books There was large balance on the credit side.
 Yes, he was a wealthy man, far too rich for that poverty-stricken dwelling, that parsimonious manner of life. But the affectation of poverty suited him; naturally miserly, he sat there daily at the receipt of custom, making money, adding to his pile, and spending little or nothing.
 He totaled up his columns of figures and chuckled at the result. Roguery and crime prospered with him. Lovingly he closed his books. Glee- fully he took, candle-end, lighted it. and retired to the back room, to bed and to sleep-to dream, maybe of his pile of money in the bank, of the hard bargains he had driven with thieves and burglars, of the fortune so steadily amassed. He slept with vicious smile on his thin lips-slep as soundly as they who sleep the sleep of the just. So he did not hear tap and click at the window, nor the stealthy lifting of the sash. He did not mark the form that stole softly into the chamber. He knew nothing of the presence of an in truder until light was suddenly flashed upon his face. Then he opened his startled eyes, and his hand moved mechanically towards the pillow.
 Stow that" cried the man who had broken into the bedroom. q know your barker's under the pillow, but want it more than you do.' The intruder rapidly removed a re- volver from beneath the pillow.
 The eyes of the fence expressed in- tense astonishment, Why, Darby!" he cried, in tones of surprise, whatever are you doing here?"
 I'm here to make bit," announced Darby Bagster, the burglar.
 ''To make a bit out of your old fa- ther?" The receiver was more aston ished than ever. He was even a little amused
 Yes" repeated Darby. You were my fatheriin this line of business. You taught me all know You made me a thief andA burglar. have seven con- yictions to put to your account. I came out of stretch this morning. Tonight want money"
 And where are you going to get 1t, Darby?"
 "Here!"
 Israels positively cackled. "You are a very stupid fellow, Darby. You can't blame me for your convictions. taught you your trade, true; but you must have been a bungler, Darby, or you would not have been caught so often"
 l I'm not going to bungle any more" But you haven't come here to rob?"
 'T'm here for money" Then you are making a mess of It again, my Darby boy! You know never keep penny on the premises
 q know that. I don't suppose there is half-a-quid's worth of anything in the house"
 Then whatever made you break in here It's the funniest job I ever heard!" The old Jew chuckled and spluttered. The situation was so ridicu- lous
 But the burglar was thoroughly calm.
 "IfI can't have cash here" he said, q can have moneys worth. You can write me out check"
 said: If you want pound to set you going, can give you check for that. wouldn't desert an old friend"
 "You wouldn't desert one you have led to ruin. You wouldn't desert pupil. You would be true to man whose body you have condemned to prison and whose soul you have doomedi Very well, give me check"
 The Jew glanced curiously at his strange visitor. The mans manner was peculiar. How much do you want, Darby2 I'll put you on your legs again. Two pounds?"
 TWO thousand" 1" said the burglar.
 TWO thousand? You're madl"
 Write me out check for two thou sand, or I'll shoot you like dog."
 q haven't got two thousand in the bank"
 "You lie. Write me a check for two thousand, or I'll rob Ellington of . customerl"
 The fence felt perplexed. Then an evil smile spread over his sallow face.
 If give you check for two thou sand" he cried, what good is it. when there isn't two hundred in the bank?" T know better. You have ten thou sand there If you have a penny, you blood-suckeri
 And you want two thousand7"
 T want 1t, and I'll have it."
 -And if give it to you, you will leave me like gentleman!'
 Give me the paper and I'll go."
 The wicked old scoundrel grinned again "I1l give it you for old times sake" he said.
 Then he whispered to himself, with flash of internal cunning; I'll give him the check-and stop it at the bank, Oh. these men are strong and brutal and ready for any crime. but they are fools. fools, fools! Fancy this beast of a rn.-L..- n.....-l.... [ a A.