their sarcasm and scorn It was in the still watch- was unanimously proclaimed a legal member of es of the night, I was found in her presence. The last words I recollect, that came from her lips, was an intercession with my parents in my behalf. She spoke, as the tears rolled over her sunken cheeks, of my ill treatment, and prayed they would receive me back into the little family flock, and love me as she had done. She spoke of it as a duty to God-one which must be answered at the bar of assembled nations; Can you not love him, who are his parents," said she, "while I, whose companion he only was, adored him." My sister died, and the poor outcast dwarf was alone in the world. A short time only, I experienced the feigned affection of my parents, when all again relapsed into coldness and apathy. I could not endure home any longer-the spirit that shone there was gone. I took my staff and a bundle of clothes, and bade it adieu forever. I had become a complete misanthrope. I deemed the whole world in arms against ine, and consequently, I felt willing to proclaim rebellion to the world. I thought I would enlist in the ranks of crime, for I could nerve myself to any thing but murder. True, my hump would be a conspicuous mark for detection, but I was so weary of life that a state prison exhibited no terrors to me. As New York was the grand theatre of rogues, thither I bent my way. I arrived almost penniless, and entirely friendless. The first thing necessary to be accomplished, was to replenish my purse. I popped in a store where I saw a gentleman purchasing some articles, who threw out a ten dollar note in payment. As no correct change was at hand, I volunteered my services to step out to the brokers with it. Being so boyish in my appear ance, I was trusted, and away I glided, much pleased with the success of the experiment. The change never has returned, to this day. This was my first little theft. But it was followed by many others of greater magnitude, until, finally, I was caught, and sent to the penitentiary for six months. Here I became intimate with as motley a group as ever were thrown together; and one in particular, who was, on our release, to introduce me to a regular gang of villains in every depart ment of crime. My advent into regularly organized crime, soon took place. I never shall forget the sensation produced on my mind that night. I was conducted through one of the narrow, filthy streets, until I arrived at one of those alley-ways which lead to the back buildings in the interior of the blocks. Passing up this alley, we came to a low heavy brick house, with narrow windows, and closed blinds. A peculiar whistle procured us admission, and the whole gang, smoking and drinking around the table, appeared before me. They were all fine, sturdy fellows, who seemed to enjoy life with much mirth and rapture. My introduction was received with much politeness, when I was invited to draw a chair to the table, and make merry with them. As I cast my eyes around the room, I found they were well prepared with the utensils of their profession-false keys, dark lanterns, knives, clubs, files, etc. were hung around in profusion. After an hour's conviviality and intemperance, I the gang. I was bound by a constitution, the fundamental article of which was, in case of my capture, not to expose any of my confederates. There was a tall, gray-eyed, sallow-looking man, who, I was told was our captain, and who was the arbitrator of all disagreements and troubles. After my initiation had been regularly disposed of, the captain rose and made some eloquent remarks on the dullness of the times. He warned his men to be more vigilant-to use more ingenuity in firing houses-and when they did fire, select those whose plunder was valuable. He spoke of the reduced receipts of the last month, cash especially. He recommended to their consideration more personal robbery, as it was a more cash business than mere mercantile pilfering, and made many other feeling remarks on the times. One of the gang was a young man of elegant appearance; tall-square shoulders-rosy checks, and black hair-a voice like music, and a polish in his manners that stamped him a finished graduate of the Chesterfield school. There was a shade of melancholy in his dark eye, which gave him an exceeding thoughtful and romantic appearance. He was not at all boisterous in his conduct, but rather silently paced the floor, as if in deep abstraction of mind. The remainder were as much villains in appearance as in nature. 66 Something must be done this week coming," said the captain, “or we must dissolve. Can't play the sluggard at this rate. Why if it would'nt appear you'd all forgot your calling. We might all better be before the police, and then we should have something to excite us, at least.” "If I breaks into a man's house," interrupts one of the company, "and after knocking down the old folks, skip up through the scuttle, and down the gutter, with a watchman half the time at my heels, don't it show that it was'nt so much the lack of courage as my misfortune. I think, at any rate, you ought to give me credit for my ingenuity in escaping." "And I," rejoined an Irishman, strongly marked by the small-pox; "how many tailless coats have I made this week. St. Patrick knows, and so do I, that they all stood full to the eye as a Kilkenny lass, and that I slipt 'em off in a twinkling-but in the name of the saints, there was just nothing in 'em. It's not so much the want of skill and industry, as the wonderful lack o' luck—no luck, my lads, that's it, just." "Silence!" responded the captain; "never narrate your unsuccess-bury it in oblivion, and redeem your character in future." "But I must remark “Silence! I say again," and the third speaker sunk to his seat. All was now silent as the charnel house. The bell of St. Paul's pealed the hour of twelve. As the last vibration trembled along the dewy skies, (for it was an unsullied night of June,) the first real solenin shade of feeling, since my deser tion of home, crossed my breast. The shuffling of busy feet had pretty much ceased in the streets, and my reflection was just pleasantly disturbed by the retreating footsteps of a nocturnal pedestrian, whose heavy tramp rang through the lonely street. The young man who attracted my attention par ticularly, whose name I ascertained to be Howard, sat upon the sofa, with his eyes bent to the floor. and his arms tightly folled on his breast. The Irishman, (Maloney) was busily studying out some mathematical calculation with a pencil and paper, and the remainder, four in number, including "Captain Smith," whose names were Brown, Clark and Stone, sat quietly smoking, occupying three chairs apiece, and lounging in all the luxuriance of a contented mind. Not a breath of life seemed to agitate the thoughtful solemnity around. The very smoke itself, as it curled quietly up, settled in a little cloud on the ceiling, with an air of silence. rose from their rest. After going through the labors of the toilet they dispersed, each to their separate hotels of board; one to the Washington, another to the City, and so on through the whole eatalogue of fashionable houses. As for myself, I accompanied the captain. Promenading in the street, our appearance was perfectly gentlemanly, and the keenest sagacity would scarcely have been able to detect our real character. When we arrived at our destination, (one of the most popular public houses in the city,) I could not help observ. ing the wide spread acquaintance of our captain. Although with but few personal charms to recommend him, there was an unaffected good humor about him, that was peculiarly attractive. He "Fire! fire! fire !" burst like a thunder peal on passed on the book by the name of Captain Graour ears. Quick as lightning, every man was on ham. He was continually resorting to schemes to his feet. An outside garment or two was flung off, ascertain the quantity of cash possessed by his and a cap placed on each head, when a complete companions-for it was the wealthy only he wished company of firemen stood before me. All, how-to prey upon. As for myself, I was to pass as an ever, by the number on their caps, I found to be at- entire stranger, and not a word had been exchanged tached to separate engines. Away they vanished, between us. leaving me in regal authority: the last I heard of them was their echoing footsteps, chiming in with the rattling of the heavy engines. Left to myself, I began to survey the room more minutely. I could not help but conceive it rather mysterious that I should have been thus left; but I attributed all to the hurry of the moment. There were trap-doors, bound down with iron bars, clasped orifices in the walls, false pannels to the doors, false chimney-backs, and a thousand other specimens of the rogues' ingenuity. While I was thus amusing myself, I was startled by a very low rap at the door. I stood silent and trembling. Again, it came. I withdrew to a corner of the room, when, just as I had disposed of myself snugly, the door gently opened, and a female figure stood amid a flood of moonlight. She walked in, fastened the door, and sunk gracefully down by the table. She was beautiful, and seemed to be familiar with the scene around. Her age might have been twenty. "Well." said she, after casting a glance at the room, "the Captain is away on his old adventures: to the fire, I suppose-plunder, etc.-well, it is his calling-a wife should not intrude on the business of her husband." So, rising, she drew forth her false key and passed out, much to my relief and satisfaction. He finally got track of a fine roll of bills which he concluded to make his own. He took me to one side, and consulted me privately on the subject. He was to invite their present owner as a friend, to the theatre, and I was to assume the important function of amputating his coat skirt; and then, in case of detection, to evaporate as soon as possible. The remainder was to be entrusted to his supervision. When I resolved this in my mind, I trembled: it was my first real hazardous adventure. But I had enlisted, and I felt too proud to retreat. “One thing more," observed the captain, if compelled to take to your heels, lay your course up street-not down. Recollect—up. 66 I accordingly proceeded to the theatre, and seated myself quietly in the pit. Soon after, my captain arrived with his friend. He appeared to be a young merchant from the country, and was highly delighted with the place around him. Through the first play I observed his mind was completely engrossed. The farce that followed was unusually ludicrous. During one of its most comical scenes, I slipped gently up the seat until directly in his rear. A glance at his coat-skirt caught the form of a pocket-book; the captain threw a hurried look at me, as if pleased with my proceedings, and immediately turning to his companion, directed his I was revolving in my mind the ingenuity of my attention more particularly to the play. I reclined confederates, and presuming they would pass as my head on the balustrade, and silently drew forth regular firemen in the excitement of the moment, my long hawk-billed knife. Just at the conclusion and thereby have free access to every part of the of a comical speech, and while the whole house buildings, when one of them hurried in, completely was in an uproar of laughter, off flew the skirt, exhansted, with his coat lined with jewelry. He and off I flew with it-for the sudden jerk had flung it on the table and instantly disappeared. brought my victim to his senses. Stop thief! Soon in burst another, bearing an assortment of stop thief!" he screamed. "Stop thief!" re-echoed dry-goods, and yet another-until the table groaned a hundred voices in the boxes;-" stop thief," yelbeneath its treasures. About three in the morning, led the gallery, and "stop thief," bawled I, louder the whole gang had concentrated,—and then such than the whole. Out burst the captain with his hair-breadth escapes! such schemes as had been friend, with consternation and anger depicted in resorted to such a fine destructive fire as they every feature. The former pursued up street, dihad been blessed with! Twelve bottles of wine recting the latter to hurry down. By this time I were cracked, and a room full of smoke from the had much the advance of my pursuers, and the first burning segars, followed. The conclusion was one who slapped me on the shoulder was no less a the packing away of the spoils' in a subterraneous personage than Captain Graham, alias Sınith, himvault, when they retired for a few hours slumber. self. He wheeled a corner with me like a flash, It was high noon when the band of plunderers when I placed the coat-skirt in his possession, when, abstracting the pocket-book therefrom, he daughter, and my cousin. We were as intimate tossed it quietly away in the street, carefully de- and affectionate as brother and sister, and continu positing the former in a secret lining of his waist-ally together. My father and mother left the city coat. By this time two or three more came upon upon a long tour, and placed me in the care of my us, but we pacified them by saying it was no use- uncle. This pleased ine, and my fair little cousin the villain had escaped-that the last we saw of likewise. She was a sweet girl, and as soft and him was entering a dark alley, where an owl's eye inuocent as a lamb. Soon after the departure of would not be able to trace him out. I concluded my parents, the yellow-fever broke out in the city, by remarking what unnecessary exertion I had in its most malignaut form. All business was sus made to recover another person's fortune, who. pended, and life and death were the only subjects probably would scarcely bave thanked me, if I had of attention. It was indeed a gloomy and heartbeen successful. rending period. In some sections of the metropolis, the houses were universally barricaded, and their inmates fled The hum of life had ceased through the streets-the green grass peeped up through the pavements-the brass plates rusted on the doors; every thing that betokened life had a frightful confusion about it,-the hearse, the physician, and the sexton, were the only familiar objects; half the city was fenced up, to prohibit the few who might linger amid the pestilence, from running too fatally in the jaws of death, and the other half was but little less deleterious. In this scene of destruction my uncle saw fit to remain. The consequence was, that he and his wife were victims. They expired about a week apart, and were hurried to the tomb without being known or thought of. After the captain and myself had retired from the crowd around us, I was directed to return immediately to the hotel, while he traced his path back in search of his unfortunate friend. Thus we separated. The next morning the story was in every one's mouth, and the public journals spoke in particular of the praiseworthy activity of Captain Graham, in endeavoring to secure the thief. The unlucky merchant himself went so far as to deem it his duty to present him with a ten dollar note. The sum total of that night's villainy amounted to three thousand and ten dollars, there being three thousand in the pocket-book, and the ten dollars by way of remuneration for stealing it. In the afternoon the captain and myself separated; he to deposit his little harvest in the public treasury, and I to quiet my mind with a pleasant stroll. I lounged leisurely along, until I found my self on that paradise of the city termed the battery. Nothing but strange faces hurried past me, and I really felt myself solitary. My hunch, looming up on my back, attracted some attention, but it was followed by a scornful smile. But what was my surprise to meet with one of my own confederates. It was Howard. He bowed with much grace, and made a polite remark on the beauty of the scene around us. One observation generated another, until we found ourselves in quite an animated conversation. I asked him what success in our line last night; he answered, rather dull. The sagacity of my first attempt seemed to please him, but it did not create that applause I expected. It was evident by his manner, that his course of life was unpleasant to him. As we gave more way to our real ideas, I found him uncommonly intelligent, and master of most of the languages. As I was admitted to be a fine scholar, we soon formed an acquaintance which was never broken. We inoralized much on the state of human beings, their defects and their virtues, until, by an association of ideas, Howard commenced a history of his own life. It was spoken in French. "A strange and mysterious existence has been mine," commenced he. "I am now verging on the line of thirty years, and still a mist of obscurity seems to veil my early history. I recollect at the age of seven years I had a father and mother, and that I was their only child. From my childish ideas of splendor, which I remember to have seen about me, I am inclined to suppose they were wealthy. They resided in a lofty brick edifice, and kept a chariot and a number of servants. I was idolized, as all only children always are, and petted with the dainties of the land. I recollect, also, of having an uncle, whose only child was a My little cousin and myself were removed to the alms-house, where I endeavored to soothe her affliction. She wept almost continually, and clung to me with the love of a sister. She was one year older than myself, being eight years. How often has she flung her pure white arms around this guilty neck of mine, and kissed me with a dear fondness. After our residence at the alms-house a few weeks, I was notified that a gentleman had selected me to take home with him, and I must prepare myself to go immediately. I jumped for joy, for I instantly thought it must be my father. What was my surprise to find a stranger in his stead. As for my father, I gave up all hopes of beholding his face again. I tried to plead his wealth and respectability in my behalf, but all would not do; go I must-and go I did. But who shall tell the anguish of my lone cousin. She wept and plead that she might not be thus left; but after snatching one warm kiss, I was torn from her, and left her forever. I was conveyed to a flourishing little village in the eastern section of Massachusetts, near Boston. When I arrived at my home,' I found it a fine country building, partially buried in a clump of trees, and standing back from the street. I was informed that I was to be their adopted child, and was introduced to my mother' as such. I think I might have been pleased with my situation had my cousin been with me; but as it was, I could not banish the thought of her from my mind. Here I lived fourteen years, during which time I com pleted a liberal education. In the mean time I had often written in regard to my cousin, and the last answer I received was, that a stranger had called about three months subsequent to my departure, and taken her away. No other letters ever were answered. When I arrived at the age of twentyone, my adopted father died. Upon inspection of his papers, he was found to have left the world, a poor man, without bequeathing a penny to his family. It therefore became necessary for ine to bestir nyself in some lucrative employinent, for my adopted mother had no other dependence. I consequently came to this city. But I was poor, and could not therefore, speculate. I had always been reared in idleness, and therefore was not disposed to labor for my bread. What must I then do? I found my funds running low, and knew not where or how to replenish them again: something must be done. One day I was grieving over my fate in the public house where I lodged, in the presence of a genteel young man. He said he could find me employment, and it should not be very laborious either-though it might be somewhat hazardous. So, taking me one side, he proposed my joining a gang of "merry fellows," as he termed them. He eulogised their state of existence, and told me I should be much pleased with them. The substance of his requisition was, to attach myself to a regularly organised gang of villains, and commence the business of robbing and firing houses. I shuddered at the thought-but there was no alternative, and so I consented. then again, when alone in her sweet society, I find a depth of affection and goodness in her breast that gives me renewed encouragement. During all my visits, I have scarcely been favored with a sight of her parents. The golden gates of evening were now closing around the day, and as the first little gray of twilight began to deepen over the bay, we traced our path back to the head-quarters of our gang, to concert fresh plans of operation, for the ensuing month. When we arrived, we were welcomed by captain Smith. He shook me heartily by the hand, and congratulated me on my successful debut. I was requested to listen to a story from Smith, in regard to his last night's adventures. He had, it appeared, prevailed upon a head clerk of one of the heaviest mercantile establishments in the city, to become an accessary to the gang; and the young disciple, to commence with, had left Smith in the store with him after closing the doors; and assisted him to load himself with many of the valoables, including some money, and let him into the street-starting up the cry of "stop thief!" but not until he was well assured he was out of reach. I must confess I was astonished at the great ex tent of crime I found existing in the city. I observed our captain, in the mean time, busily poring over some epistles. After laying them down, all the gang turned their eyes intently upon him, as if they expected him to speak. I was with that gang four years, during which period I became perfectly accomplished in my profession. I was captain of it the last year, but several of them being detected, we were broke up. I then took letters of recommendation, and became a member of this society, and have been in its service near five years. During the whole nine years, I have handsomely supported my adopted "Fair times, fair times," said he. "Our other mother, who thinks me in some respectable occu- branch is thriving-they speak of a fine harvest pation. I never have heard a word of my real palast Monday week. Black-eyed Jim,' struck a rents, during the whole period. And that dear mine of ten thousand dollars-they also speak of cousin, too, if heaven would permit me once more ten different merchants who will be in this city to kiss her innocent brow, methinks it would make soon, as they had left when this letter was mailed. a better man of me. This is the brief tale of How-They are particularly recommended to us as unuard: what think ye now?" said he, turning his eagle eye upon me. I was silent. My own sad fate crossed my mind. I thought of my dear sister who was in Heaven. Would to God I was but the shadow of her! sually fine game.' By reading that correspondence you will find an exact description of them, and the hotel they intend to tarry at; so be on the look out. Our mercantile establishment does a fine business, and the last cargo that we sent by the black brig had safely arrived. They wish, if we have any thing more on hand, that the little schooner be immediately freighted Captain Williams has been unwell, though he is now much better, etc." In fine, I found we had a branch of our establishment at New Orleans, and these letters were from the captain of the gang. I found also, that all our goods were conveyed there in two vessels, owned by the company, and there disposed of at full prices, in an establishment belonging to the company. "Nor is this all," continued he; "I'm in love. Last night was not devoted to my accustomed crime. Polluted as I am-criminal, villainous, debased as has been this life of mine, I dare attempt to win the unsullied and virgin affections of an angel. But Heaven knows it was no fault of mine. Had I never seen her, she would have been safe. But I did meet her, and I resolved to risk all to obtain her. I could not help loving her. I first saw her at one of the fashionable dancing assemblies my attentions soon won observation from her-I was invited to call upon her. I did so, and It was recommended that provision be made found her the child of wealth and splendor, for her for transacting business for the ensuing month. father was a wealthy merchant. I passed as a Among other appointments, Howard and myself gentleman of the bar, and she seemed to be were put upon the highway list-that is, we were pleased with my visit, and I was consequently re- to go outside the city, and commit what road robquested to call as often as convenient. You now bery we could. This provision was for a month, see me as deeply in love as is possible in this at the expiration of which time we were to caleuworld, with some hope of having my passion gra-late the spoils. I was much pleased with my comtified. Like all females, however, she has her other suitors, and they occupy a share of her at tention. Sometimes, when surrounded by more brilliant company I think I am quite forgotten; but pany, and acquiesced in the decision. Clark and Stone, assisted by the captain, were to protect the city. As for Malony and Brown, we had not heard of them since we left them, two nights previous, other than that they were caught, and were fair, whistled-the bushes began to shake by the road candidates for the state prison. side the heavy pocket-book was produced, and all stood in mute silence. After feeling the contents, Howard remarked to the old man, it was a dark night to be out, but he thought the sky indicated a fine day for the morrow:" he also remarked what a beautiful team of horses he had; he concluded by advising him to return back, as he knew of another gang lying in wait for him a few miles ahead, and if he fell in their clutches, be would not escape with many feathers on his back; the young ladies strongly opposed proceeding any farther, and the old man himself arriving at the same conclusion, the coach was turned, and How On the following morning my companion and myself embarked, and took our course up the North River. We finally located ourselves in a small village, west of Albany. Upon our arrival we were much attracted by the pompous appearance of an Englishman who had recently taken lodgings, and was to depart in a day or two. He intended to proceed to Albany. He sported a four horse chariot, with livery servants in proportion. In his company was a wife, a son, and two daughters. Howard soon initiated himself into the good graces of the ladies, and was continually in their society. The old John Bull himself was as moard bidding them good evening, away they rolled, rose and consequential as any nabob, and occasionally swore at the liberties Howard took with his We hurried towards our lodgings with all speed, daughters. It was near sundown, when he was and by taking a shorter route, arrived at nearly the to depart across that long, sandy, uninhabited plain same time with our victims. We slipped slily up that lay between him and Albany. It was at that to our lodgings, and sprang instantly to our beds. time dangerously infested with thieves and high- There was much confusion below, and the whole waymen. Howard cautioned him against the un- family were all aroused. The first thing deemed dertaking. He replied with an oath, that "No necessary, was to arm the male inmates of the d―d Yankee should be the means of his chang-house, and despatched them in search of the robing a resolution, be he a robber or what he might." I saw Howard's eyes sparkle with rage, and turning fiercely upon him, assured him that his resolution might be changed. It was a black, gloomy night, when Howard and myself found ourselves on the Albany road. We had long listened for the rolling wheels of the coming chariot, but as yet they had not been heard. We had stretched a heavy rope across the road, that our game might be sure not to escape us. Our pistols were cocked and primed, and all prepared. At last, in the distance, the low rumbling of wheels broke upon our ears, and we rose upon our feet I was cautioned not to stir until I heard the whistle of Howard. As the coach arrived, sounds of mirth and hilarity proceeded from it. The horses were trotting off in a regular movement, and every thing, both within and without, seemed to move on with harmony. Suddenly they struck the rope, and the foremost horse plunged down, and burst his girth. All was uproar in the coach-the ladies ran their heads through the windows-the son and livery men sprang to the earth, and the nabob swore. In the midst of this tumult, Howard stepped calmly forth, and demanded his money. He was answered by the flashes of four pistols, from the son and father, the loads being drawn by him previous to and were soon lost in the blackness of night. bers. Howard and myself were called upon, and but neither of us were suspected. The hints thrown The young ladies remarked it was a pity so beau- sided. I now saw the effect of Howard's The last words spoken by the fair English girls the Englishman's departure from the hotel. "Now to Howard, on their departure the following mornit's my turn," said Howard, walking towards him ing, was a pressing invitation to call on them at with his pistols, and demanding his money a second No. B-street, New York, where they retime" and unless you deliver within two minutes I will call the remainder of the band, and overpower you instantly. The ladies began stripping their rings from their fingers, and offered them to him, but he declined very politely, remarking that whatever his offences may have been, he never yet was guilty of robbing those fair beings, whom it was the duty of every man to protect. The old servant who sat as watchman over the baggage, drew forth a few dollars, and offered it as his all.' Howard spurned it, and threw him back a purse containing quite a sum of money, as a present in his old age. All this was the work of an instant, but the old nabob had not yet delivered. Howard After tarrying a few days, Howard received a letter from New York. It was from the young lady whose affections he was striving to win. It was couched in a delicate style of penmanship, and breathed the very warmest friendship; a ray more would have been love. I saw how it was; the young lady almost confessed her passion, and in time it would burst forth. I deemed Howard a successful man. After moving for some time in the circles of quality, by the titles of Washington Hamilton and son, we left the place, well provided with plunder, and proceeded to Albany. Here our schemes pro |