The Brigand's Feelings Were Hurt.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 65

The Brigand's Feelings Were Hurt.

In Pearson's Magazine for December Mr W. I/. Alden relates one of his amusing studies in everyday life :

Many years ago I met a renowned brigand who had just been arrested near. Rome. He was a handsome, ..genial sort of person, andfrom him I learned a great many facets as to the actual life of brigand. One day I expressed my surprise that he should follow so miserable a trade when he could easily make a comfortable living by emigrating to America, and going into some respectable business.

As a proof of the vast sum made by tradesmen, I showed him a plumber's bill which had been sent to me from New York. I explained the items one by one to my friendly brigand, and showed him how, when a plumber came to stop a leak in a pipe, he charged so much for investigating the oxtent of the injury, so much for the materials used in repairing it, so much for the time of the men employed, so much for their labour, and finally rounded off his bill with a charge for "the job."

'"'iusre," said I to the brigand, "why do you lead this miserable life of unproductive brigandage, when you could go to New York, learn the plumber's trade, and grow rich?" The brigand looked at me sadly. lam confident that he blushed, 'although his bronzed cheek was incapable of a visible change of colour. Then he said : "Signore, lam a brigand. I have taken many purses, and I had to kill several men in the course of my business. But never have I been capable of such robbery as you propose to me. If I should escape from the police I am willing to starve and suffer as a brigand if _ such seems to be my duty, but never, .so long as I have the courage to blow out my ovin brains, will Ijyiik to the wickedness of plumbing."

And thereupon he turned his back on me, and would have no more to do with a mn whom he -evidently thought) guilty of trying to lead him into paths.