The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-12-08
The Refornist

He had always had q fellow feeling
, for his fellow men and had always
wished them to walk in straight paths,
but lie had arrived at middle age be-
/ fore this feeling began to lie heavily
| Un bis mind. When he started out in
the reforming business there were peo-
pie who called It fad and referred 70
! him as daffy. but no matter how good
the cause there are people who will al-
ways speak Ill Of II. -,
| Nickelby's family went to the coun-
try, and he occupied the house O
nights. One night ut midnight he was
awakened from his sound sleep by
hand being laid on his shoulder. He
opened his eyes to see n stranger how
erlng over him.
"Mr. Nickelby," said the man, Il am
burglar. have called to talk with
| you. have taken the liberty of pre-
pairing a little lunch downstairs. and
, should like to have you join me-"
! This seems to be gigantic piece OF
cheek" replied the reformist as he got
slowly out Of bed. "If I'd had one min
utes notice I'd have been ready to
| send bullet Into your
That's human Inconsistency. For
, years you have been wanting to have
free, frank chat With q burglar and
| convince him OF the error Of his ways
, and bring about reformation.
+, come mt last, and you are sorry that
you did not meet me with q bullet
Put you have broken into my
house,
But that is part Of my business.
Having broken into your house as
| have you cannot doubt that 1 am what
claim to be. Let us now go down to
the lunch.'
Afr. Nickelby didn't like It at all. He
wanted all burglars to reform, but he
| wanted it done by programme. The
lunch didn't amount TO much. Aside
from four ham sandwiches brought In
by the burglar himself there were q
bottle Of wine taken from the cellar
and supply Of cigars. The burglar
motloncd his host to q seat at the head
Of the table, passed him sandwich
and glass Of wine and then courtc-
ously said:
Now GO ahead and ask me any
questions you Will. 1t will be the first
time I have ever submitted to IN in
terview."
This house Is defended by a burglar
olarm, and don't see how you en-
tered It," replied the reformist. who
couldn't get over his feelings in the
matter.
Easy as pie. my dear sir. had
only to cut the wire outside the house.
DO you wish to know why ] became n
; burglar7'
; you can state the case II you wish,
, but tomorrow III raise hob with the
police for not spotting you Off before
you got In here"
! Don't do 1t. Statistics will show
that there are Just rs many burglaries
now as before policeman was invent
cd. You would only be throwing your
time away. At thirty years old ! was
minister OF a congregation in coun-
try town. My salary was 5000 year
and was behind half the time made
the change in order to make n living
! have made in average of $1,000 a
year as against you. Have you any
criticisms to maker Have you any
thing as good to offer me IL will re-
formf'
you'd get at least Eve years II ar
rested for breaking in here su!kily
replied the reformist
'Not doubt Of 1t, but l shan't be
arrested. If promise to mend my
ways can you get me Job Of driving
an Ice wagon Mt 50 per weekF'
You ought to reform because 1t is
wrong to be criminal"
"Oh, had II ought to walk the
streets looking for n job because ]
want to be an honest man. How about
every alderman In town? How about
every merchant How about the tens
Of thousands Of men who are cheating
and swindling md rObbing every day
Go to man who sells coffee. 1t is 80
per cent adulteration. Will he stop be-
cause you say 1t Is wrong?"
But you are burglar
| TT IS n distinction without a differ
ence. Instead Of robbing the city rob
one residence. Instead of mixing half
cotton with my wool ] use false keys
to enter dwelling. You are in the
! cloth business. There are more tricks
in your trade than in mine. Are you
willing to reformT
! ''lf you had come to me and said you
wanted to reform should have stood
ready Toto
Yes; 60 on. You would have stood
ready to give me dollar and your best
advice, and within week / would
have been a starving man. 1t won't do,
! old fellow. It's all sawdust. We are
oil out for the dough. including your
self, and none Of us Is going to give up
a good thing for the sake OF free soup
md bed under stairway. Cut 1t
out and save your wind. Now. then, I
| have packed up bundle in tho hall. It