Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-16

TT was three o'clock in the morning. Under
i cover of the vine that climbed luxurlantly
over the porch of a handsome Madison-ave.
residence in New York, crouched Squatty Nc
Phtrson. His eyes were fixed steadily on the
dining room window, and he carefully
extracting jimmy from his inside pocket.
Would the poiceman's footsteps ever die
away and give him a chance1 They were get
ting fainter now. He would soon be at the end
of the block. and then
Suddenly faint sound came from the bushes
on the far side of the window: Squatty stopped
breathing and waited. Slowly the foliage
parted and stealthy figure emerged. In
wardly Squatty cursed the unknown who
trespassing on his territory; for had not he the
first claim to this tap For nights he had
watched the house and waited for his chance.
And here some bungler come to rob
him of his Just spois'
In his rage he could scarce restrain the i'm
pulse to throw himself upon this usurper; but
that would be foolish.
The figure carefully tried the window. 1t
was locked. So, atty, in the half gloom, could
see that he was neatly dressed man of about
thirty-five. - OF them gent burglars" he
ragged inwardly.
As the newcomer began to feel in his pocket.
Squattv's rage got the best of him and he whis-
pered hoarsely, emerging into the open, No
yer don't pal! Dis IS my tap. You highfalutin
gents kin take de front door found dis lay,
an I'm goin' ter break it meself, see? Go an
find crib o yer own =
The stranger started but stood his ground.
".All right pal" said he; but I've sized up
be in on it. III split the pot with you; but
| won't lay down my hand. You'd better
duck back under there, too: here comes the
cop.
When the policeman passed all quiet,
and as his footsteps grew fainter down the
block the two stealthiy emerged.
How do YOU know about dis lay' came
in hoarse breath from Squatty. Il sup
pose YOU are one of dem society blokes wat
makes calls durin de day and returns 'en
at night"
NV dear SIR returned the other, :" do not
care to have one of your stripe question me,
however nefarious my calling may be. Still, l
consider that there IS a vast difference between
the fine art of acquiring by technical skill what
does not actually and rightfully belong to one,
and the bungling business OF common burglary.
You will now apply your rude instrument to
the window and will show you example of
fine work.
SOUATTY MCPHERSON could not help but
- admire his complete GOODNESS and instinc-
lively bowed to the will of one who stood higher
in the line than himself. Here let it be said that
in the gentle art of burglary. well in less
hazardous if more snowy callings there is
wide range of classes. The common sneak
thief or veggman looks up with due respect to
the dip" (pickpocket), and gives him credit
for his deftness and skill. The dip admires
from afar the skill and additional daring re-
quired in the profession OF the Moll buzzer"
(purse snatcher) who frequents the shopping
sections and in broad daylight cuts the chain
of mladys purse or chatelaine and makes off
with it. The Moll buzzer, again. is barely
spoken to by his better the strong arm guy"
(holdup NAM, who numbers among his VIC
TINS men of all walks who might might not
be armed.
Thus the element of risk is considered in
classifying this shady portion of humanity
The holdup man takes off his hat to the second
story or porch man on the ground that skill and
daring both needed to equip him for his
business.
The second-story man, however. bows to
the safe blower Outside of the gentleman
burglar. the safe blower. or ''cribman"
stands supreme in the social life of the under
world.
But the gentleman burglar is king In him
is combined the character of the yeggman the
skill of the dip the dexterity and quickness of
the Moll buzzer the skill and daring of the strong
man. the knowledge of the safe blower,
and the education and culture necessary to