The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-28


III all the gentlemaniy professors of
burglary who have been compared
with Rallies. hone bears a closer re-
semblance to Hornung's fascina.ln g
creation than James Marsh. who made
4 voluntary appearance at the q rk-
enweli Sessions. London. the other Gay.
He Possesses another claim To distInc-
tion which renders him almost unique
among the exponent OF artistic miSap-
preparation. He maintains-or rath-
er did maintaln-a valet And it was
70 save this servant, William Lawson.
from suffering the consequence OF some
OF his masters crimes that Mr.. Marsh.
escorted by two stalwar. xardens. had
come from Norwood Scrubs where
he Is serving a i've years sentence.
The police said the two men had
lived together and had been associated
In marauding expeditions. In the
house where they arrested Lawson
they found a box containing a lot OF
stolen property, which they charged
Lawson with stealing. Lawson de-
clared that be didn't know the proper
" had been stolen. and didn't know
Nsa% AAS aAAASSNA was q oAA X4G
always seemed To have plenty Of mon
ey. Lawson said. and b understood
that he was a gentleman of private
means. Marsh's frequent absence
from his chambers at night he had
been led TO believe was due TO the at
tention which he was paying TO a
wealthy young lady.
Despite his close cropped hair and
shabby clothing. there was an unmIs-
taxable air of distinction about
Marsh's clean-shaven features. He
spoke in a w~ell-modulated voice. and
the manner In which he gave his tes-
timony showed that he had received
a good education. He tenered the wit
ness 10 with the utmost sangfroid.
There was a touch Of Rallies in the
way he began his evidence.
." must apologize for my appear
ance," he said, casting a quizzicai
glance at his dilapidated outfit. II
gave away my best garments when I
was convicted. That is why I have
had to come before you in these rags"
And were those ~garments-er all
acquired-er-on the straight?"
Queried the judge I'm more d~eferential
tones than he usually assumes toward
criminals.
NO" replied Marsh, with the flicker
of a smile, and a suspicion OF mimicry
In his voice, they were OF them
-er-stolen. The receipts for the lit
tie clothing l had occasion ter
purchase were found by the police.
Everything in there''-IndicatIng a big
wooden box which the police had
brought into the court-room-"was-
er-stolen."
How came you to possess such rags
rs those you nave on"
with your profound experience OF
the ways of burglars replied Marsh.
with n bow. you must be aware that
there are occasions, when In order to
evade observation of such astute
emissaries of the law as l see before
me, it is necessary to assume a dis
euise. Though 1 have felt constrained
to apologize to them, these rags. / as
sure, ere this have served me WELL"
yet the police succeeded In catch
ing your"
"Unfortunately-or Fortunately. as
you would call it-sir, the element Of
luck can never be eliminated from the
burglars profession The best laid
plans of-but pardon me, the quota
tion, / am aware. Is somewhat hack
neyed."
1t was through an accident. Marsh
said, that he became acquainted with
Lawson. One of the dodgers. by way
of a joke, threw some cold water
through the skylight into the bedroom
where Marsh was bathing. Marsh did
not treat it as a joke; a fracas followed,
and he received several cuts I'm the
right arm.
ennn of %I4 cob .--- 49, A. -x-f.s %
he said, land | was in danger OF bleed
ing to death when Lawson came to
my aid. That was our introduction,
and I liked the fellow. I knew he
had seen better days, and I'm return for
his help-cleaning M boots. brushing
my clothes, shaving me, cooking my
food, etc., kept him"
He was questioned about the Incl
dent in his professional career con-
nected with II raid On n grocer's shop.
"Ah, yes, now you speak OF 1t, / re-
CALI the circumstances" said Marsh
That sort OF thing was not much in
my line. but supplies were getting low
and / had not found 1t easy to convert
into cash certain articles which / had
-er-misappropriated. That was one
liberal dish OF eggs and bacon for
breakfast next morning"
"Did not Lawson comment on your
bringing the things home:" asked n
of the counsel.
"Let me see: yes. he did ask a ques-
ton" replied Marsh, in a reminiscent
mood, but as / ignored ft he did not,
ask again. The fellow, gou see, had
good manners, otherwise I would not
have kept as my valet Some OF the
other occupants Of the house I found
were more inquisitive. That was ono
reason why I changed my address"
The jury acquitted Lawson. IS he
left the court he cast a grateful glance
at the gentleman burglar. who ac-
knowledged it with a pleasant smile
and a nod.
Marsh Is the sleekest burglar we
ever hunted for" said a police fngpec-