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Merry Christmas to you all! If not for all of you, I wouldn't have learned as much as I have, and for that I thank you!
May you all have a wonderful Christmas & A Prosperous New Year!
Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
by John Lennon;
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...
Given the amazing number of Snipe at Blacktoft Sands on the day of our visit, it's no surprise that I took loads of photos of them. I never expected to see Snipe so close and out in the open. "Fill yer boots", was my philosophy, as you might not get such a good chance again.
SN/NC: Penelope Obscura, Cracidae Family
He/she is my neighbour of at least 2 times a day. Penelope or “Jacu” is the Brazilian name given to a group of birds, actually — the guans. Guans are the largest group in the bird family Cracidae — primitive, vaguely chicken-like forest birds found in much of Latin America. There are 15 species of guans in the genus Penelope.
I would like to mention here also the story of the JACU BIRD COFFEE brand which appeared accidentally developed by a farmer (Mr. Slopper) in his Farm in Camocim, in the state of Espirito Santo (North of Rio, south of Bahia). An endangered, pheasant-like bird, native to the Mata-Atlantica rainforest, the Jacu had no history of feeding on coffee cherries. Yet while the glistening, green slopes of neighbouring plantations remained Jacu-free, the brilliant red mocha and yellow bourbon berries on Camocim’s 740-acre estate were disappearing by the dozen. “I sat in my office in despair,” recalls Henrique, “I even called the environmental police, but there was nothing they could do… and I couldn’t exactly kill them ”“ I’m organic!”
Sloper’s only explanation for the bird’s unprecedented invasion was the biodynamic methods he had begun introducing to the plantation over the previous 3 years.
2009 was an auspicious year. It marked Sloper’s first certified biodynamic harvest, 110 60-kilogram sacks, but it also heralded the arrival of the Jacu bird. This coffee is one of the most expensive in the world, about 25$ for 100-gram sac. It competes with CIVET of Indonesia but specialist says it is better tasting.
Ele é meu vizinho e vem comer miolo de pão todos os dias. O jacu ou jacu do mato é uma ave silvestre também conhecida como jacuaçu e Penélope obscura. Pertence ao reino Animalia, filo Chordata, classe de Aves, ordem Galliformes, nome científico Penelope obscura. É um parente distante do pavão (originário da Ásia) e bem próximo da Jacutinga (Aburria jacutinga), porém o Jacu é bem menos viçoso que o primo asiático.
Vários galiformes estão ameaçados no Brasil, dentre eles, os aracuãs, jacus, jacutingas, mutuns e urus. Os animais dessa ordem são extremamente sensíveis às mudanças ambientais provocadas pelo homem, em especial a caça e o desmatamento.
Habita as matas secundárias, capoeiras, plantações e matas de galeria (matas altas). Há presença deste animal nas seguintes cidades: Blumenau, Bandeirante, Lages, São Joaquim, Doutor Pedrinho, Vargem bonita, Urubici, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo.
O jacu é uma ave monogâmica, os machos dão comida à sua fêmea, virando e abaixando gentilmente a cabeça, como os pais alimentam os filhos. O casal acaricia-se na cabeça. As cerimônias nupciais dessas aves ainda são pouco conhecidas. O par faz um ninho pequeno nos cipoais (mato abundante de cipós), às vezes no alto das árvores ou em ramos sobre a água ou ainda em troncos caídos, aproveitam também os ninhos abandonados de outras aves. Pode instalar-se sobre um galho entre gravetos cujas folhas ela pisa, obtendo assim um ninho. Põe 3 ovos grandes, uniformemente brancos. O período de incubação é de 28 dias, geralmente entre os meses de outubro a março. As ninhadas são de 2 a 3 filhotes.
Embora habitem matas, descem em campo aberto para se alimentarem, são predominantemente frugívoras, alimenta-se principalmente de frutos coletados no solo ou na copa das árvores. Mas também comem insetos como besouros, percevejos e lagartas. Elas defecam as sementes intactas, o que ajuda na proliferação da plantação. Bebem água na beira dos rios, esse ato se assemelha ao dos pombos, é um processo de sugar, com o bico mantido dentro d’água, notando-se a ingestão do líquido pelo movimento rítmico da garganta.
É uma ave de tamanho avantajado, mede 68 a 75 cm de comprimento, pesa de 1.000 a 1.200 gramas. Possui uma coloração verde bronze bem escura. Para identificar as diferenças de sexo da espécie, basta analisar a íris o macho a possui na coloração vermelha e a fêmea na tonalidade castanha.
A população de jacu vem sofrendo com a redução dos bandos, por causa da caça ilegal e do desmatamento predatório. Tanto que seu estado atual de conservação é considerado “vulnerável” pelo Ministério do Meio Ambiente. As populações indígenas e algumas comunidades tradicionais têm nos jacus uma importante fonte de proteína, e junto a outras aves, compõem a biomassa de aves retiradas por caçadores.
É uma ave barulhenta produzindo um barulho esquisito e abrangente a partir de suas asas quando voam.
O jacu emite um chamado com mais frequência de manhã bem cedo e no final da tarde. De madrugada intermeia com o chamado um tamborilar forte e áspero feito com as asas.
Apresenta um sinal de excitação que se caracteriza por abrir e fechar impetuosamente a cauda. Têm o tique de sacudir a cabeça. À tardinha, antes de empoleirar-se, tornam-se muito inquietos, sendo tal nervosismo – aparentemente ansiedade para achar um bom lugar de dormida. É uma ave gregária vivendo em bandos de 6 a 10 indivíduos. Essa ave também é conhecida como galinhão do mato, pois entre os pulos de galho em galho, a ave é bem desajeitada como uma galinha.
(Fonte: www.portaldosanimais.com.br)
Penelope es un género de aves galliformes de la familia Cracidae propias de América del Sur, conocidas vulgarmente como pavas. En Brasil, jacu y de ahí tiene su nombre vertido para el inglés. Es también sinónimo de un café especial produzido en la Hacienda Camocim, en las montañas del estado de Espirito Santo y este café, carísimo, es producido por el café recogido de las heces de estos pájaros que se alimentan de él y después es procesado y tostado, todo manualmente. Una bolsa de 100g puede costar 25 dólares.
Penelope is een geslacht van galliforme vogels van de Cracidae-familie, typisch voor Zuid-Amerika, algemeen bekend als kalkoenen. In Brazilië jacu en van daaruit heeft het zijn naam in het Engels gegoten. Het is ook synoniem met een speciale koffie die wordt geproduceerd in Hacienda Camocim, in de bergen van de staat Espirito Santo, en deze zeer dure koffie wordt geproduceerd uit de koffie die wordt verzameld uit de uitwerpselen van deze vogels die zich eraan voeden en vervolgens wordt verwerkt en geroosterd ., allemaal handmatig. Een zak van 100 gram kan $ 25 kosten.
Penelope è un genere di uccelli galliformi della famiglia Cracidae tipico del Sud America, comunemente noti come tacchini. In Brasile, jacu e da lì ha il suo nome versato in inglese. È anche sinonimo di un caffè speciale prodotto all'Hacienda Camocim, nelle montagne dello stato dell'Espirito Santo, e questo caffè molto costoso viene prodotto dal caffè raccolto dalle feci di questi uccelli che se ne nutrono e viene poi lavorato e tostato ., tutto manualmente. Un sacchetto da 100 g può costare $ 25.
Penelope est un genre d'oiseaux galliformes de la famille des Cracidae typique d'Amérique du Sud, communément appelés dindes. Au Brésil, jacu et à partir de là, son nom a été versé en anglais. Il est également synonyme d'un café spécial produit à Hacienda Camocim, dans les montagnes de l'état d'Espirito Santo, et ce café très cher est produit à partir du café collecté dans les excréments de ces oiseaux qui s'en nourrissent et est ensuite transformé et torréfié. ., le tout manuellement. Un sac de 100 g peut coûter 25 $.
Penelope ist eine für Südamerika typische Gattung von Hühnervögeln aus der Familie der Cracidae, die gemeinhin als Truthähne bekannt sind. In Brasilien jacu und von dort hat es seinen Namen ins Englische gegossen. Es ist auch ein Synonym für einen speziellen Kaffee, der auf der Hacienda Camocim in den Bergen des Bundesstaates Espirito Santo hergestellt wird, und dieser sehr teure Kaffee wird aus dem Kaffee hergestellt, der aus dem Kot dieser Vögel gesammelt wird, die sich davon ernähren, und dann verarbeitet und geröstet wird ., alles manuell. Ein 100-g-Beutel kann 25 $ kosten.
ペネロペは、南アメリカに典型的なホウカンチョウ科のキジ目鳥の属で、一般に七面鳥として知られています。 ブラジルでは、jacuとそこからその名前が英語に注がれています。 また、エスピリトサント州の山岳地帯にあるハシエンダカモシンで生産される特別なコーヒーの代名詞でもあります。この非常に高価なコーヒーは、これらの鳥の糞から集められたコーヒーから生産され、加工されて焙煎されます。 。、すべて手動で。 100gのバッグは25ドルかかることがあります。
Η Πηνελόπη είναι ένα γένος γαλλόμορφων πτηνών της οικογένειας Cracidae τυπικά της Νότιας Αμερικής, κοινώς γνωστές ως γαλοπούλες. Στη Βραζιλία, το jacu και από εκεί έχει χυθεί το όνομά του στα αγγλικά. Είναι επίσης συνώνυμο με έναν ειδικό καφέ που παράγεται στο Hacienda Camocim, στα βουνά της πολιτείας Espirito Santo, και αυτός ο πολύ ακριβός καφές παράγεται από τον καφέ που συλλέγεται από τα περιττώματα αυτών των πουλιών που τρέφονται με αυτόν και στη συνέχεια επεξεργάζεται και καβουρδίζεται. ., όλα χειροκίνητα. Μια σακούλα 100 γραμμαρίων μπορεί να κοστίσει 25 $.
Penelope هو جنس من الطيور الغارية من عائلة Cracidae النموذجية في أمريكا الجنوبية ، والمعروفة باسم الديوك الرومية. في البرازيل ، jacu ومن هناك تم سكب اسمها إلى اللغة الإنجليزية. كما أنها مرادفة لقهوة خاصة يتم إنتاجها في هاسيندا كاموسيم في جبال ولاية إسبيريتو سانتو ، ويتم إنتاج هذه القهوة باهظة الثمن من القهوة التي يتم جمعها من براز هذه الطيور التي تتغذى عليها ثم تتم معالجتها وتحميصها. . ، كل يدويا. يمكن أن تكلف حقيبة
Given a little love and refinished to bring out their original charm. Visit www.cleancutcreations.com/rrrmain.html to see more.
Given my recent health issues and inability to ride I've sold off all but three bikes. My Charrel as a wall hanger, Valerie's porteur, and this CDF are the only ones that reamain. Cdf in case theres a miracle...
Pretty little houses, aren't they? Given their location by the marina for the rich and famous, I can only imagine how much it would cost to buy an apartment here.
I was given a camera for free by my Grandpa, and I decided to give it a try today.
G830UVK - 84K Miles
The owner said that it was owned by an elderly man who had bought it when it was 6 months old. When he passed, he bought this lovely example Cavalier L from his son. The car has stayed local ever since
Completely flabbergasted at the comments and awards given on this one, wasnt expecting anything really! I just posted it coz I liked the reflection on the top of the car and because id spent ages driving around looking for something to take photos of and this was really all I came back with :o( So unbothered was I by this shot that I didnt even waste any time HDRing or processing, just a little warming on Picnik :o)
Name: Thomas Dodds
Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 3 October 1914
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-256-Thomas Dodds
For an image of his accomplice Mark Schidlossky see www.flickr.com/photos/twm_news/21412004993/in/dateposted/.
The Shields Daily News for 5 October 1914 reports:
“GOING THROUGH SEAMAN’S POCKETS. ONE MONTH FOR THIEVES AT NO. SHIELDS.
Today at North Shields, Mark Schidlossky, seaman, Russia and Thomas Dodds, labourer, South Shields, were charged with stealing 5s from the person of James McLeod on the New Quay.
McLeod said he was proceeding to his ship, which was lying at Smith’s Dock, when he was accosted by two men, whom he now recognised. They pushed him up against the wall and took everything from his pockets. John Michael Graham, Lawson Street, said he saw the two men holding the prosecutor and going through his pockets.
PC Pallister said the Russian said in answer to the charge “I got no money” and the other man made no reply. The first prisoner had 2s 10d and the other 1s 2d in their possession. The Bench committed the defendants to prison for one month each”.
These images are taken from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 (TWAM ref. DX1388/1). This set is our selection of the best mugshots taken during the First World War. They have been chosen because of the sharpness and general quality of the images. The album doesn’t record the details of each prisoner’s crimes, just their names and dates of arrest.
In order to discover the stories behind the mugshots, staff from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums visited North Shields Local Studies Library where they carefully searched through microfilm copies of the ‘Shields Daily News’ looking for newspaper reports of the court cases. The newspaper reports have been transcribed and added below each mugshot.
Combining these two separate records gives us a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front during the First World War. These images document the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds, both civilians and soldiers. Our purpose here is not to judge them but simply to reflect the realities of their time.
(Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.
The scene of an act of sabotage during the Irish Civil War seems appropriate given world events this week! Long before the advent of drones dealing death from the sky, more mundane methods were used. Was the train destroyed in situ, or were they the victims of a mine set under the permanent way?
Photographers: J. Kilpatrick
Collection: Civil War Infrastructural Damages Photograph Collection
Date: 1922 Tuesday, 16 January 1923,
NLI Ref: NPA CW8
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
'Tractors'is a nickname given by some to Class 37s due to their exhaust sound.
Here we see a Massey Ferguson 'tractor' and a class 37 'tractor' on an engineers train in Glen Falloch, in the days before 'Road-Railers'.
21/5/84
I'm given to understand that people hold on tightly to memories cause they are the only things that don't change...
Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
©All photographs on this site are copyright: DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) 2011 – 2020 & GETTY IMAGES ®
No license is given nor granted in respect of the use of any copyrighted material on this site other than with the express written agreement of DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) ©
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This Two and a half seconds long exposure was taken at an altitude of Two metres, at 05:26am on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 in the beauty of the Golden Hour around sunrise off 1st Street and Bevan Avenue, beside the boat jetty in beautiful Sidney by the sea on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
In the distance we see Mt Baker in Washington State, USA . Known to the Lummi First nation people ( Lhaq'temish) as Kwelshán ('Shooting place' in Nooksack), to the Halkomelem as Kwelxá:lxw, to Lushootseed speakers along the Skagit River as Teqwúbe7 “snow-capped peak'', to the Nooksack language as Kweq’ Smánit (“white mountain'') and also known as Koma Kulshan, (pronounced kō-ō’mah’ kool-shän’), the name for the Middle Fork which originates from the glaciers such as Deming and Thunder on the western slopes, she is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States, standing 3,286 metres tall and was first ascended in 1868, her last eruption recorded in 1880.
The name Mount Baker first appeared in print in Captain Vancouver’s 1798 narrative of his voyage around Vancouver Island. Legend has it that his third-lieutenant, Joseph Baker, was the first to spot the mountain while they sailed into Dungeness Bay on April 30th, 1792.
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Nikon D850. Focal length 32mm Shutter speed: Eight seconds long exposure. Aperture f/16.0 iso6400 RAW (14 bit uncompressed) Image size L (8256 x 5504 FX). Focus mode AF-C focus 51 point with 3D- tracking. AF-Area mode single point & 73 point switchable. Exposure mode - Aperture priority exposure. Nikon Back button focusing enabled. Matrix metering. ISO Sensitivity: Auto. White balance: Natural light auto. Colour space Adobe RGB. Nikon Distortion control on. Picture control: Auto. High ISO NR on. Vignette control: normal. Active D-lighting Auto.
Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. Lee SW150 MKII filter holder. Lee SW150 77mm screw in adapter ring. Lee SW150 0.9 (3 stops) Reverse ND Grad soft resin. Lee SW150 Filters field pouch.Nikon EN-EL15a battery.Mcoplus professional MB-D850 multi function battery grip 6960. Matin quick release neckstrap. My Memory 128GB Class 10 SDXC 80MB/s card. Lowepro Flipside 400 AW camera bag. Nikon GP-1 GPS module. Hoodman HEYENRG round eyepiece oversized eyecup.Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod 3 Sections (Payload: 5.6kgs). Manfrotto 327RC2 Light Duty Grip Ball Magnesium Tripod Head (Payload: 5.5kgs). Manfrotto quick release plate 200PL-14. Jessops Tripod bag.Nikon MC-DC2 remote shutter release cable.
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LATITUDE: N 48d 38m 52.81s
LONGITUDE: W 123d 23m 36.57s
ALTITUDE: 2.0m
RAW (TIFF) FILE: 130.00MB NEF: 91.6MB
PROCESSED (JPeg) FILE: 10.30MB
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PROCESSING POWER:
Nikon D850 Firmware versions C 1.10 (9/05/2019) LD Distortion Data 2.017 (20/3/18) LF 1.00
HP 110-352na Desktop PC with AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU 64Bit processor. Radeon HD8400 graphics. 8 GB DDR3 Memory with 1TB Data storage. 64-bit Windows 10. Verbatim USB 2.0 1TB desktop hard drive. WD My Passport Ultra 1tb USB3 Portable hard drive. Nikon ViewNX-1 64bit (Version 1.3.1 11/07/2019). Nikon Capture NX-D 64bit (Version 1.4.7 15/03/2018). Nikon Picture Control Utility 2 (Version 1.3.2 15/03/2018). Adobe photoshop Elements 8 Version 8.0 64bit.
Given the fact that this is a tanker train I guess that this is an empty oil return from Iran. The route goes via the coastal rail link in eastern Azerbaijan.
A little bit of online research shows that a these shipments commenced in February 2023 and that diesel and gasoline are the cargos. This trade surprised me as I thought that Iran would have produced a good deal of oil and had the refinery capability. It transpires that Iran can't cope with its own domestic demand so needs to top up its supply. Given that western nations have sanctions against both countries it was only a case of time before trade deals were struck between Russia and Iran.
Photo taken from a moving minibus as it was starting to get dark.
©All photographs on this site are copyright: DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) 2011 – 2020 & GETTY IMAGES ®
No license is given nor granted in respect of the use of any copyrighted material on this site other than with the express written agreement of DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) ©
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**** This frame was chosen on March 10th 2020 to appear on FLICKR EXPLORE (Highest Ranking: #TBC. This is my 168th photograph to be selected.
I am really thrilled to have a frame picked and most grateful to every one of the 35.268+ Million people who have visited, favourite and commented on this and all of my other photographs here on my FLICKR site. *****
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Photograph taken at an altitude of Eighteen metres, in the height of a foggy golden hour around sunrise at 06:02am, (Sunrise was at precisely 05:47am), on Thursday 27th March 2014 in the grounds of Foots Cray Meadows. Here, I am standing just to the West of Five Arches Bridge over the River Cray in Bexley, Kent, England.
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Nikon D800 Focal length 14mm Shgutter speed 1/125s Aperture f/2.8 iso200 RAW (14-bit) uncompressed. Size 7360 x 4912 L. Matrix metering. Manual focus. Manual exposure. Auto white balance. Adobe RGB.
Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED IF. Nikon MB-D12 battery grip. Two Nikon EN-EL 15 batteries. Nikon GP-1 GPS unit. Nikon MC-DC2 remote shutter release cable. Nikon DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece. Hoodman HGEC soft eyecup. Manfrotto MT057C3 057 Carbon Fiber Tripod 3 Sections (Payload 18kgs). Manfrotto MH057M0-RC4 057 Magnesium Ball Head with RC4 Quick Release (Payload 15kgs). Manfrotto quick release plate 410PL-14. Jessops Tripod bag. Optech Tripod Strap. Digi-Chip 64GB Class 10 UHS-1 SDXC. Lowepro Transporter camera strap. Lowepro Vertex 200 AW camera bag
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LATITUDE: N 51d 25m 34.89s
LONGITUDE: E 0d 7m 50.81s
ALTITUDE: 18.0m
RAW (TIFF) FILE: 103.00MB
PROCESSED Jpeg FILE: 17.69MB
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PROCESSING POWER:
Nikon D800 Firmware versions A 1.10 B 1.10 L 2.009 (Lens distortion control version 2)
HP 110-352na Desktop PC with AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU processor. AMD Radeon HD8400 graphics. 8 GB DDR3 Memory with 1TB Data storage. 64-bit Windows 10. Verbatim USB 2.0 1TB desktop hard drive. WD My Passport Ultra 1tb USB3 Portable hard drive. Nikon ViewNX-1 64bit (Version 1.2.9 18/09/2017). Adobe photoshop Elements 8 Version 8.0 64bit.
SN/NC: Penelope Obscura, Cracidae Family
He/she is my neighbour of at least 2 times a day. Penelope or “Jacu” is the Brazilian name given to a group of birds, actually — the guans. Guans are the largest group in the bird family Cracidae — primitive, vaguely chicken-like forest birds found in much of Latin America. There are 15 species of guans in the genus Penelope.
I would like to mention here also the story of the JACU BIRD COFFEE brand which appeared accidentally developed by a farmer (Mr. Slopper) in his Farm in Camocim, in the state of Espirito Santo (North of Rio, south of Bahia). An endangered, pheasant-like bird, native to the Mata-Atlantica rainforest, the Jacu had no history of feeding on coffee cherries. Yet while the glistening, green slopes of neighbouring plantations remained Jacu-free, the brilliant red mocha and yellow bourbon berries on Camocim’s 740-acre estate were disappearing by the dozen. “I sat in my office in despair,” recalls Henrique, “I even called the environmental police, but there was nothing they could do… and I couldn’t exactly kill them ”“ I’m organic!”
Sloper’s only explanation for the bird’s unprecedented invasion was the biodynamic methods he had begun introducing to the plantation over the previous 3 years.
2009 was an auspicious year. It marked Sloper’s first certified biodynamic harvest, 110 60-kilogram sacks, but it also heralded the arrival of the Jacu bird. This coffee is one of the most expensive in the world, about 25$ for 100-gram sac. It competes with CIVET of Indonesia but specialist says it is better tasting.
Ele é meu vizinho e vem comer miolo de pão todos os dias. O jacu ou jacu do mato é uma ave silvestre também conhecida como jacuaçu e Penélope obscura. Pertence ao reino Animalia, filo Chordata, classe de Aves, ordem Galliformes, nome científico Penelope obscura. É um parente distante do pavão (originário da Ásia) e bem próximo da Jacutinga (Aburria jacutinga), porém o Jacu é bem menos viçoso que o primo asiático.
Vários galiformes estão ameaçados no Brasil, dentre eles, os aracuãs, jacus, jacutingas, mutuns e urus. Os animais dessa ordem são extremamente sensíveis às mudanças ambientais provocadas pelo homem, em especial a caça e o desmatamento.
Habita as matas secundárias, capoeiras, plantações e matas de galeria (matas altas). Há presença deste animal nas seguintes cidades: Blumenau, Bandeirante, Lages, São Joaquim, Doutor Pedrinho, Vargem bonita, Urubici, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo.
O jacu é uma ave monogâmica, os machos dão comida à sua fêmea, virando e abaixando gentilmente a cabeça, como os pais alimentam os filhos. O casal acaricia-se na cabeça. As cerimônias nupciais dessas aves ainda são pouco conhecidas. O par faz um ninho pequeno nos cipoais (mato abundante de cipós), às vezes no alto das árvores ou em ramos sobre a água ou ainda em troncos caídos, aproveitam também os ninhos abandonados de outras aves. Pode instalar-se sobre um galho entre gravetos cujas folhas ela pisa, obtendo assim um ninho. Põe 3 ovos grandes, uniformemente brancos. O período de incubação é de 28 dias, geralmente entre os meses de outubro a março. As ninhadas são de 2 a 3 filhotes.
Embora habitem matas, descem em campo aberto para se alimentarem, são predominantemente frugívoras, alimenta-se principalmente de frutos coletados no solo ou na copa das árvores. Mas também comem insetos como besouros, percevejos e lagartas. Elas defecam as sementes intactas, o que ajuda na proliferação da plantação. Bebem água na beira dos rios, esse ato se assemelha ao dos pombos, é um processo de sugar, com o bico mantido dentro d’água, notando-se a ingestão do líquido pelo movimento rítmico da garganta.
É uma ave de tamanho avantajado, mede 68 a 75 cm de comprimento, pesa de 1.000 a 1.200 gramas. Possui uma coloração verde bronze bem escura. Para identificar as diferenças de sexo da espécie, basta analisar a íris o macho a possui na coloração vermelha e a fêmea na tonalidade castanha.
A população de jacu vem sofrendo com a redução dos bandos, por causa da caça ilegal e do desmatamento predatório. Tanto que seu estado atual de conservação é considerado “vulnerável” pelo Ministério do Meio Ambiente. As populações indígenas e algumas comunidades tradicionais têm nos jacus uma importante fonte de proteína, e junto a outras aves, compõem a biomassa de aves retiradas por caçadores.
É uma ave barulhenta produzindo um barulho esquisito e abrangente a partir de suas asas quando voam.
O jacu emite um chamado com mais frequência de manhã bem cedo e no final da tarde. De madrugada intermeia com o chamado um tamborilar forte e áspero feito com as asas.
Apresenta um sinal de excitação que se caracteriza por abrir e fechar impetuosamente a cauda. Têm o tique de sacudir a cabeça. À tardinha, antes de empoleirar-se, tornam-se muito inquietos, sendo tal nervosismo – aparentemente ansiedade para achar um bom lugar de dormida. É uma ave gregária vivendo em bandos de 6 a 10 indivíduos. Essa ave também é conhecida como galinhão do mato, pois entre os pulos de galho em galho, a ave é bem desajeitada como uma galinha.
(Fonte: www.portaldosanimais.com.br)
Penelope es un género de aves galliformes de la familia Cracidae propias de América del Sur, conocidas vulgarmente como pavas. En Brasil, jacu y de ahí tiene su nombre vertido para el inglés. Es también sinónimo de un café especial produzido en la Hacienda Camocim, en las montañas del estado de Espirito Santo y este café, carísimo, es producido por el café recogido de las heces de estos pájaros que se alimentan de él y después es procesado y tostado, todo manualmente. Una bolsa de 100g puede costar 25 dólares.
Penelope is een geslacht van galliforme vogels van de Cracidae-familie, typisch voor Zuid-Amerika, algemeen bekend als kalkoenen. In Brazilië jacu en van daaruit heeft het zijn naam in het Engels gegoten. Het is ook synoniem met een speciale koffie die wordt geproduceerd in Hacienda Camocim, in de bergen van de staat Espirito Santo, en deze zeer dure koffie wordt geproduceerd uit de koffie die wordt verzameld uit de uitwerpselen van deze vogels die zich eraan voeden en vervolgens wordt verwerkt en geroosterd ., allemaal handmatig. Een zak van 100 gram kan $ 25 kosten.
Penelope è un genere di uccelli galliformi della famiglia Cracidae tipico del Sud America, comunemente noti come tacchini. In Brasile, jacu e da lì ha il suo nome versato in inglese. È anche sinonimo di un caffè speciale prodotto all'Hacienda Camocim, nelle montagne dello stato dell'Espirito Santo, e questo caffè molto costoso viene prodotto dal caffè raccolto dalle feci di questi uccelli che se ne nutrono e viene poi lavorato e tostato ., tutto manualmente. Un sacchetto da 100 g può costare $ 25.
Penelope est un genre d'oiseaux galliformes de la famille des Cracidae typique d'Amérique du Sud, communément appelés dindes. Au Brésil, jacu et à partir de là, son nom a été versé en anglais. Il est également synonyme d'un café spécial produit à Hacienda Camocim, dans les montagnes de l'état d'Espirito Santo, et ce café très cher est produit à partir du café collecté dans les excréments de ces oiseaux qui s'en nourrissent et est ensuite transformé et torréfié. ., le tout manuellement. Un sac de 100 g peut coûter 25 $.
Penelope ist eine für Südamerika typische Gattung von Hühnervögeln aus der Familie der Cracidae, die gemeinhin als Truthähne bekannt sind. In Brasilien jacu und von dort hat es seinen Namen ins Englische gegossen. Es ist auch ein Synonym für einen speziellen Kaffee, der auf der Hacienda Camocim in den Bergen des Bundesstaates Espirito Santo hergestellt wird, und dieser sehr teure Kaffee wird aus dem Kaffee hergestellt, der aus dem Kot dieser Vögel gesammelt wird, die sich davon ernähren, und dann verarbeitet und geröstet wird ., alles manuell. Ein 100-g-Beutel kann 25 $ kosten.
ペネロペは、南アメリカに典型的なホウカンチョウ科のキジ目鳥の属で、一般に七面鳥として知られています。 ブラジルでは、jacuとそこからその名前が英語に注がれています。 また、エスピリトサント州の山岳地帯にあるハシエンダカモシンで生産される特別なコーヒーの代名詞でもあります。この非常に高価なコーヒーは、これらの鳥の糞から集められたコーヒーから生産され、加工されて焙煎されます。 。、すべて手動で。 100gのバッグは25ドルかかることがあります。
Η Πηνελόπη είναι ένα γένος γαλλόμορφων πτηνών της οικογένειας Cracidae τυπικά της Νότιας Αμερικής, κοινώς γνωστές ως γαλοπούλες. Στη Βραζιλία, το jacu και από εκεί έχει χυθεί το όνομά του στα αγγλικά. Είναι επίσης συνώνυμο με έναν ειδικό καφέ που παράγεται στο Hacienda Camocim, στα βουνά της πολιτείας Espirito Santo, και αυτός ο πολύ ακριβός καφές παράγεται από τον καφέ που συλλέγεται από τα περιττώματα αυτών των πουλιών που τρέφονται με αυτόν και στη συνέχεια επεξεργάζεται και καβουρδίζεται. ., όλα χειροκίνητα. Μια σακούλα 100 γραμμαρίων μπορεί να κοστίσει 25 $.
Penelope هو جنس من الطيور الغارية من عائلة Cracidae النموذجية في أمريكا الجنوبية ، والمعروفة باسم الديوك الرومية. في البرازيل ، jacu ومن هناك تم سكب اسمها إلى اللغة الإنجليزية. كما أنها مرادفة لقهوة خاصة يتم إنتاجها في هاسيندا كاموسيم في جبال ولاية إسبيريتو سانتو ، ويتم إنتاج هذه القهوة باهظة الثمن من القهوة التي يتم جمعها من براز هذه الطيور التي تتغذى عليها ثم تتم معالجتها وتحميصها. . ، كل يدويا. يمكن أن تكلف حقيبة
Warning!!! This is really Dark and missed up so if your week of heart do not read this. But all Monsters are made and this one might one day become a monster with the hand she has be given.
Name: Nikki
Nickname: 10 – 20, Little Trouble, Daddies Little Star.
Reason for name: She was Raised By “The Man” so I will let you try and guess.
Age: 13
Gender: Girl
Place of birth: She was born in a Small town out side of Seattle, Washington.
Places lived since: She has travailed all over the world with “The Man” as he keeps her close and trains her in the many arts he finds important for her to have.
Parents’ names, backgrounds, occupations: Her daddy is “The Man” since he stole her when she was just born from the hospital. “The Man” is the leader of the shadow government that controls the world from behind the scenes to fulfill there dark and most of the time Perverted ambitions.
Number of siblings: 0 so that means her daddy sends lots of time with her one on one.
Relationship with family : Nikki loves her daddy after all he is her whole world and every thing he tells her must be true because he is daddy.
Happiest memory: Spending one on one time with her daddy no matter they are doing she thinks every moment is magical.
Childhood trauma: The first time she had to kill some one... But they made her daddy not happy so they just had to die!
Disabilities: She is very unstable do to being very dependent on her father.
Hair color: Black
Usual hair style: She dose like to change it a lot because she always wants to make her daddy happy with her.
Eye color: Dark Blue
Style of dress/typical outfit(s): She likes to wear clothes that are more showy because that is what “The Man” aka her father told her to wear.
Health (is this person usually sick? or very resilient?): She is very Strong being that her daddy has her in training none stop.
Grooming (does she/he wear makeup? shower daily? wear only clean clothes? pluck her eyebrows?): She loves to play dress up but only dose a little makeup because her daddy tells her that her face is to pretty to cover with make up.
Unique mannerisms/physical habits (bites nails, talks with hands, taps feet when restless): Her Feet not numb when she... is Tickled.
Level of education (high school drop out, undergrad BA/BS, PhD, MD, etc.): She has been trained in Espionage, Ninjutsu, and a few other things that are secret.
Level of self esteem: As long as daddy tells her she is his girl she feels like she can do anything.
Gifts/talents: Flirting, Kissing, Killing you know the normal stuff a girl with a Perverted Psychopath of a father would learn to be good at.
Shortcomings: She is to scared to trust any one but daddy.
Style of speech: She is quit by nature but when she is playing a rule she is ordered to play she can pick up any Persona weather its Load or Giggly any thing she needs to be.
Artistic?: She dose like to paint with the blood of the ones she kills her daddy likes to save her work on the refrigerator.
Mathematical?: She dose have very high marks in Math but than again she was all ways taught to calculate odds when she is doing missions.
Makes decisions based mostly on emotions, or on logic?: Her choices are based on daddy after she has to make daddy happy or she would be sad.
Life philosophy: Who needs Normal when you can be More.
Religious stance: God is some one you call when I am killing your or I am....
Cautious or daring: Very Daring if given the orders she would jump in to fire its self.
Most sensitive about/vulnerable to: She gets really sad if her daddy dose not get what he wants.
Extrovert or introvert?: She is mostly a Extrovert she often is in her own world if life on her own.
Level of comfort with technology: She is very well Trained to Hack in to any computer or servers in the world. also holds the High Score On Mario Kart on Wii.
Current marital/relationship status: She was taught at a early Age that Relationships are for fools but you can have all the fun you want.
Sexual orientation: She really likes men.
Past relationships: None since she dose not let her self become attached to any one but daddy.
Level of sexual experience: We can say she was Trained.
Story of first kiss (if any–if not, how does he/she want it to happen?): Part of her training was learning to kiss which she dose have rather high marks in.
Story of loss of virginity (if any–if not, how does he/she want it to happen, if at all?): Just some things no girl would talk about no matter how bad they might be.
Most comfortable around (person): “The Man” aka daddy
How does she think others perceive her?: Sexy, Strong, playful little psycho
How do others actually perceive her?: every one but “The Man” sees her as damaged, sad, lost soul.
Phobias: Snails, worms.
Life goals: to visit the moon since she has all ready been every were on earth all ready.
Greatest fears: Being replaced in her daddy's eyes.
Most embarrassing thing ever to happen to her: She was drunk and passed out and when she woke up she had found her self had crawled in to the dog bed and to make matters worse her daddy thought it was so cute he took photos and should the hole Shadow army.
Obsessions: Flirting with Men... she likes to make them blush.
Secret hobbies: when no one is looking she has a pet kittens she found and cares for.
Secret skills: Raising baby Animals and caring for the wounded Animals she finds... but do not tell on her. Her daddy would want her to kill them if he found out.
Crimes committed (and was he/she caught? Charged?): Will when you daddy is the leader of the Shadow Government little things like lay do not mean any thing to you.
What she most wants to change about her current life: Nothing she is having to much fun.
What she most wants to change about her physical appearance: She wants Boobs! Other girls are getting them at her age and she wants some too.
Daily routine: Wake up, Make daddy laugh, breakfast, Train in all arts daddy finds important, Lunch, Play time, Dinner, Make daddy laugh more, than off to bed.
Night owl or early bird?: She dose like to get up later since she stays up really late at night.
Light or heavy sleeper?: Light very she has to be on guard at all times.
Favorite food: maraschino cherries she loves to tie the stems with her tongue after she eats the cherries.
Least favorite food: Liver.
Favorite book: Kama Sutra
Least favorite book: Bible
Favorite movie: 300
Least favorite movie: Roots
Favorite song: I want your Bite
Least favorite song: Jesus Loves Me
Coffee or tea?: Coffee not Tea!!
Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?: Crunchy
Type of car he/she drives (or wishes he/she drove): She wants a Tank with a big Cannon!
Lefty or righty?: Both
Favorite color: Pink
Smoker? Drinker? Drug user?: She dose like her Rum, and some times will smoke her daddy's Pipe when he is not looking.
Pets?: She has a few at a time that she raises and than lets back out to the wild when they are big and strong.
Little Nikki was Born in a small town on a very cold winter day. But her first time she was held other than the short time with her real mother before being taken to be washed was by “The Man” and than she was stolen away. The Man could tell there was something Special about this baby and thought that instead of waiting for some one to raise her he would do it and to top it off raise he to be what he wanted her to be.
Now 13 years later all that Nikki knows of her real parents is they wore very boring people and her daddy rescued her from them so she could have a much better life making doing something Amazing as he told her. She grow up feeling loved even if it was very miss guided and even grow to have a family even if that family was the Shadow government of evil perverts and villains. All was like a fairy tail for Nikki till one day her daddy told her that he needed her for the Most important Mission ever! And this time she would have to go on her very own.
Will Nikki find something more to life than the dark life she had known her hole life? Or will she be blinded by “The Man” how had stolen her away a long long time ago?
Name: Reginald Stains alias Brown
Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields
Arrested on: 4 December 1915
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-262-Reginald Stains AKA Brown
The Shields Daily News for 15 December 1915 reports:
“NORTH SHIELDS FALSE PRETENCES CASE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
Reginald Ashley Staines (30), chief steward, of 23 Milton Terrace, was brought up on remand at North Shields today, charged with having obtained by false pretences on the 22nd Nov. from Joseph Randell, the sum of £15 and on the 23rd ult. a further sum of £7 from Joseph Randell and Ed. Perris and on the same date in a like manner, the sum of £5 from William Manson Bews, with intent to cheat and defraud. Mr Frankham of Newcastle defended.
Joseph Randell of 40 Drummond Terrace stated that in the early part of November last defendant came to his shop and made reference to some previous groceries and wanted to open an account. On the 22nd October he ordered goods to be sent on board his ship. On the 22nd Nov. he wanted to cash a cheque for £15. He said he had got married and wanted to go to Liverpool and witness gave him the £15. Next day he again came to the shop and asked witness to cash another cheque for £7 and he said he would send his account from Liverpool in settlement for some goods. Witness cashed the cheque. He presented the cheques on the 22nd and 23rd Nov. and they were returned on the 24th and 25th.
Mr Frankham: Defendant has had other dealings with you for groceries and provision? – Yes.
Mr Frankham: Have you cashed other cheques for him? One, for £10, which was honoured.
Mr Frankham: If he had asked for the loan of a certain sum, would you have give him it? – No.
Mr Frankham: He never attempted to conceal where he was going to? – No.
Mr Frankham: You made no effort to get in touch with him? – Yes. Mr Perris went to his mother’s and could not get his address.
William Manson Bews, a tailor residing in Linskill Terrace, said that on the 23rd October the defendant came to his shop and ordered a frock suit, a jack suit, a double-breasted suit and a cap. He was dressed in a naval uniform and said the things had to be delivered to the Northumberland Arms. On the 22nd November he again came to the shop and asked for his account. He told witness he was a little short of cash. Witness gave him £5 and the defendant made out a cheque for £22 12s, in payment of the clothes and the money. The cheque was presented at Farrow’s Bank, Newcastle on the 24th and returned on the 26th. Witness still had all the clothes with the exception of the uniform.
George Graham Campbell of Farrow’s Bank said that no the 24th November the cheque produced, for £15, was presented and returned, marked ‘N.S.’. On that date the defendant only had £3 19s 6d in the bank. On the 25th November cheques for £7 and £22 12s were presented but the defendant only had a balance of £1 19s 6d then.
Detective-Sergeant Radcliffe stated that from certain information received he went to Brighton, on the 3rd inst. and took the defendant into custody from the Brighton police. He was brought to North Shields and when questioned replied “The only thing I can say is, the cheque must not have been met”. When charged later he made no reply. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr Frankham said the defendant had not the slightest intent to rob anybody of money. He had a banking account and being newly married and unwell, had gone away and given these cheques. He had about £16 on board the ship and the officers were owing him about £30. The defendant gave a cheque for £1 on the 13th November as a donation to the YMCA. He had not tried to cover up any tracks and the officers on board HMS Satellite knew where he was.
The defendant, in giving evidence on his own behalf, said he was chief steward on HM Yacht Medusa II. The ship came into port on the 19th November and he had leave granted because he had been ill and he was going to be married. After the marriage he went to Liverpool and was there two days and he then went to London and Brighton. He sent his medical certificate to HMS Satellite. When he got the money from Mr Randell and Mr Bews he understood he had sufficient money in the bank to meet the cheques. Money was owing to him on board the ship but he could not say how much. He had no intention of defrauding the people.
The defendant was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions”.
On 6 January 1916 at Northumberland Quarter Sessions Reginald Staines was acquitted on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences from tradesmen at North Shields.
These images are taken from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 (TWAM ref. DX1388/1). This set is our selection of the best mugshots taken during the First World War. They have been chosen because of the sharpness and general quality of the images. The album doesn’t record the details of each prisoner’s crimes, just their names and dates of arrest.
In order to discover the stories behind the mugshots, staff from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums visited North Shields Local Studies Library where they carefully searched through microfilm copies of the ‘Shields Daily News’ looking for newspaper reports of the court cases. The newspaper reports have been transcribed and added below each mugshot.
Combining these two separate records gives us a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front during the First World War. These images document the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds, both civilians and soldiers. Our purpose here is not to judge them but simply to reflect the realities of their time.
(Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.
Given the strong agricultural background of Trafalgar Township, the earliest industries in Oakville were mills, with the Sixteen Mile Creek becoming home to many mills from the Dundas Road to Speers Road. While there are no real remains of any of those mills. But this steam fly wheel from Oakville Basket Company reminds both of Oakville's industrial and agricultural past.
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Turn of a Friendly Card
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Based on a true adventures of a rogue active in the waning years of the 1930’s as discovered in the criminal archives of Chatwick University.
Act 1
I begin my tale in the present…
That afternoon a soiree was given as part of the purchase price of the tickets for the annual Autumn Charity Ball to be presented later that evening at the manor’s great house. Since I was alone, I just went mainly for the free food and to rub my elbows with the wealthy guests who would be in happy attendance there, and at the Ball. I was alone, but certainly not bored. There was a game I enjoyed playing to pass the time at these affairs that entailed scoping out by their dress and day jewels worn, those ladies whom would be most likely to be wearing the better costumes and sparklers that evening. It often proved to be a most beneficial insight into the actions and mannerisms of the very rich. I walked amongst the cheerful guests, eying one here ( a lady in satin and pearls) and another there( a high spirited girl with a diamond pin at the throat of her frilly silken blouse). It was as I was passing the latter that the friend she had been talking too (dressed like a vamp), bumped up against me. I caught her, steadying her as they both giggled. I didn’t mind, for the lassie’s too tight satin sheath tea dress had been an enticement to hold, and the gold bracelet that had been dangling from her gloved wrist had been a pleasure to observe. I kissed her gloved hand, rings glittering, as I apologized gallantly for my clumsiness. Her eyes were bright, almost as bright as the twin necklaces of gold that hung swaying down pleasantly from between her ample bosom. I left them, moving on to greener pastures, and it was very green, all of it….
It was then that I detected another pretty lassie. It was her long fiery red hair with falling wispy curls that first captured my attention. She was wearing a fetchingly smart white chiffon party dress that commanded me to acquire a closer examination. She appeared to be a blithe spirit, seemingly content with just being by herself and roaming about with casual elegance, the extensive grounds of the manor proper. I began to discreetly follow her at a distance. Although she did not wear any jewelry, her manner and the eloquent way she moved is what attracted me the most. It would be very interesting to seek her out later that evening and she what she would have chosen to decorate herself with. I followed her as she sojourned into the depths of a traditional English garden with a maze of lushly green trimmed 8 foot high hedges
As I strolled through the hedgerows in her wake I allowed my mind to wander its own course. Suddenly I straightened up, my reverie broken by an epiphany of sorts. I allowed myself to grin and the lady whose enchantment I was swollen up in, at that moment turned, and seeing my beaming smile assumed it was for her and gave me a rather cute nod of her head. I answered in same, as I headed en route to a nearby stone garden bench to allow my thoughts to think through themselves.
But before I go on, allow me the pleasure to sojourn and reminisce about an incident that occurred several years prior:
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I was still working unaided in those days, travelling on to a new next quest that would take me just outside of Surrey.
I had just purchased my train ticket and had seen my luggage safe on board when I decided to rest in the lounge, it being some 45 minutes before allowed to enter personally aboard. Being so early the lounge was almost deserted, only one other occupant. I assumed she was waiting for someone on an incoming train due to the fact she carried no luggage. She was obviously well off, well dressed in satins and lace, and her jewels shone magnificently in the dim lights. Especially one of her rings, noticeably lying loosely around a finger, it sparkled with an expensive brilliance. I had seen one like it in a tiffanies store, worth almost 250 pounds. But she did not appreciate the show her jewelry was putting on under the lounge lights, for she was fast asleep.
I circled around her, aiming for a seat next to her, eyeing her and her possessions carefully. I noticed her purse had fallen off her lap and lay on the floor. An idea popped into my head, and I picked the purse up, and looked around carefully, before placing my plan into action. But I was thwarted as an older, matronly lady was spotted heading our way. I slipped the purse into my jacket and moved off before I was noticed. Of course she came in and took the empty seat across form the sleeping princess, and soon busied herself with knitting. As the older lady had sat down, not quietly, the wealthy lady stirred waking up at the noise. I went into a corner and sat, waiting. The two ladies soon fell into conversation; the minute’s ticked by excruciatingly slow. Soon I noticed we even had more company.
He was a lad of only fourteen, but with a devilish look about him that marked him a kindred spirit to meself, and his quick eyes were darting about taking it all in as he stood outside the paned glass window.
It was as the first announcement of boarding the train that I saw a chance for opportunity to strike.
The older lady folded up her knitting and clinching her bag, bid adieu to her new friend,( befuddled a little by the old ladies constant stream of gossip), and headed to the train. I was twenty steps ahead of her and was standing behind the youth as she left the lounge. I tapped him on the shoulder; he looked around at me suspiciously, and then caught sight of the shilling I was holding in front of his nose. I quickly whispered a few words into his ear on how he could earn it, and his grin spread as he bought into my story. I still held onto the shilling as he darted around and inside the lounge. I watched as he ran up behind the lady, circling her, then running in front of her he tripped over her leg, as she helped him up, her hand with the ring reaching down, he turned and spat onto the wrist and sleeve of that hand, than standing he ran away. Running alongside me, I handed him the shilling in passing as he ran off, disappearing in to the street.
I went inside and approached the astonished lady, as she was looking for her purse to get a handkerchief, confused as to its absence, while she held up her soiled hand( ring glittering furiously) in utter disbelief. I approached, catching her attention by the soothing words I uttered to her. I took her hand, unbelieving with her at just had happened, and I as I apologized for the youth of today I produced my own silk handkerchief and starting with her silky sleeve, began to wipe it off, continuing my tirade of displeasure and contempt at what had just occurred to the dear lady as I did so. As I finishing wiping her down, ending with her warm slender fingers, I kissed them, just as the last boarding announcement came over (perfect timing!) I let her go, explaining that I must catch my train. I turned and without looking back made the train just as it was letting off steam before chugging off.
I gained my private carriage just as the train began to lurch away. It wasn’t until after the train began its journey that I casually removed my silk handkerchief from my pocket and unwrapped it carefully, admiring up close the shimmering, valuable tiffany ring that was lying inside. I pocketed it, and then remembered the purse. I took it out and examined its contents: coin and notes equaling a handsome amount, a gold (gilded) case, embroidered lacy handkerchief, small silver flask of perfume, and ( of all things)a large shimmering prism , like one that would have dangled from a fancy crystal chandelier. A prism?, I questioned with interest as I examined it. It was pretty thing, about the circumference of a cricket ball, but shaped like a pendulum, it shimmered and glittered like the most precious of jewels. Why she had it in her purse? I couldn’t guess, and I saw no value in it, so I pocketed it and allowed it to leave my mind.
As I settled into my seat I began to think of the lad I had just met, I had been right on the money as far as his eagerness for mischief. Actually he reminded me of myself at that age, and I wondered if that lad with the shifty eyes would also turn out to follow the same course I had explored.
Which Begs the question, what had I turned out to become. And since I’m still reminiscing
I’ll give little background material about me, hopefully I don’t come across as being too conceited about my self-taught skills..
I had never been one to take the hard road, and even at a young age I was always looking for angles, or short cuts to make some money.
Once, while watching for some time a street magician and his acts. I observed a pick pocket working the crowd. He approached a pair of well-dressed ladies in shiny clothes, and standing behind them bided his time and then lifted a small pouch from one velvet purse, and a fat wallet from a silken one, then he moved on. Now both ladies were wearing shiny bracelets, one with jewels. I thought that he could have realized a greater profit if he had nicked one or both of the bracelets first, than try for the contents of their purses. The bracelets’ alone would have realized a far greater profit than what he lifted from their purses. It further occurred to me that by mimicking some of the sleight of hand tricks and misdirection that the magician was using on his audience, it could be accomplished. A hand placed on the right shoulder and as the lady turned right, whisk off the bracelet from her left wrist, and excuse oneself, that sort of thing.
So, I practiced (on my sisters, who proved to be willing accomplices to “my game”) and learned to pick their purses and pockets. I than moved onto their jewelry, starting by lifting bracelets and slipping away rings, before advancing to the brooches, necklaces and earrings they were wearing. After I was satisfied at my skill level, I went out and worked the streets. Sometimes using my one sister who was also hooked on what I was doing as a willing partner.
But I found myself still not being satisfied, in the back of my mind I thought there had to be a more lucrative way to turn a profit.
I’d found my answer when an attractive lady in a rustling satin gown zeroed in on me while I was “visiting” a ballroom. She was jeweled like a princess right up to the diamond band she wore holding up her piles of soft locks like a glimmering crown. The more she drank, the closer she got and I decided that her necklace would definitely help pay my expenses more than the contents of her purse (although I had already lifted the fat wallet from her small purse), and I did have very expensive tastes to pay for. So I took her onto the dance floor.
I was amazed at how easily I had been able to open the necklace’s clasp , slipping it over her satiny shoulder, lifting it off and placing it safely in my pocket with almost no effort. Then she decided to be playful once the song ended and brushed up against me. She felt the necklace in my pocket and before I could act she had her hand in and pulled it out.
The silly naive twit thought I was teasing her and told me that for my penance I had to go up to her suite in order to put it back on for her. I kept up the charade as best as I could.
And that’s where we ended up. A little bit of light fondling began as I placed the necklace back around her throat. I began to tease her, plied her with more and more alcohol as I tried to keep my distance, and virginity. Finally she passed out in a drunken stupor, but not before I had learned where she hid her valuables by suggesting she should lock her jewels up for the night..
With her safely unconscious, I began to strip her clean off all her jewels, reclaiming the necklace first. Then I visited all her jewelry casket and began looting it. I even took her small rhinestone clutch with the diamond clasp; of course I already had liberated its small wallet.
When I’d left her lying happily asleep in bed, still in her satin gown( the only item left to her that shined), I knew I had found a much more profitable line of “work”
So I began making circuits around to the haunts of the very rich, I still kept may hand in pickpocketing, so to speak, but centered only on those “pockets” containing mainly jewelry. I also began to carefully explore new ways of acquiring jewels” in masse”, so to speak.
Soon I had accumulated many tricks and tools, having them at my disposal to put into action once required, and for the remaining years up till the present had managed to live quite comfortably off of the ill-gotten gains using them allowed me to acquire.
Which brings me back to the train ride, my prism, and the rest of my background story before I retun to the present tale. Please be patient.
*****
So, anyway, I reached Surry without any further incident and disembarking, made my way out to the large country house where I would be staying to take a short rest, vacation if you will. But, pardon the play on words, for there is never any rest for the wicked, is there?
I had become acquainted with a servant of the old mansion ( almost a small castle, really) , that was about a mile off. I managed to learn a great deal, and soon found myself, on the pretense of visiting her, exploring the grounds. There was to be a grand ball taking place a couple of weekends away , and the maid had filled my ears with the riches that would be displayed by the multitude of regal ladies making an appearance. I began to think about trying to make a little bit of profit from my vacation. I am not sure how the idea developed, but the prism that I still had in my possession, came up centrally into my plans.
Late on the evening of the regal affair, I snuck over, covered head to toe in black, with my small satchel off tools by my side. I set up a candle behind an old stone ivy covered wall in a far corner of the rather large and intricate English garden that surrounded the inner circle around the mansion. I than strung the jewel-like prism in front of it. Standing behind the wall, I would strike the prism with a long stick I was holding whenever I observed sparkles emanating from silkily gowned ladies walking in the distance, solitary or in pairs. The prism would flash fire, sort of like a showy lure being used when fishing in a crooked trout stream. Only I was fishing for far sweeter game than trout. My objective was to trick certain types of jeweled ladies (scatterbrains some may call them) by luring them down onto the path beyond the wall, using their natural curiosity to my advantage.
I had at least two strikes rise up to my lure in the second hour.
On was a pretty lady in flowing green satin number, decorated with plenty of emeralds, which, hidden in the shadows, I observed were probably paste. I let her wonder about; as she looked and played with the shiny toy, remaining hidden until she grew bored and wandered off.
The second was a slender maiden wearing a long sleek black gown with long ivory silk gloves. I had never before seen a lady so decked out in jewels, literally head to toe. With the exception of the rhinestones adorning her heels, the rest of the lot was real, so valuably real that I could feel my mouth salivating at the thoughts of acquiring her riches. Now in Edwardian times only older, married ladies would be allowed the privilege of wearing a diamond Tiara. But in these modern times, it had become culturally acceptable for any well-to do lady, single or otherwise, to wear one out in society. Even so, they were still rarely worn, and seldom seen outside the safety of large gatherings. But there it was, a small, delicately slender piece of intricate art that glistened from the top of her head like some elegant beacon. That piece alone was probably worth more than I had made all the last four months combined!
I began to skirt around in the shadows, placing myself in position to cut off her retreat. Her diamonds blazed as she approached, eyeing the swinging prism with total concentration. Which was unfortunate, because as I was about to leave the shadows, she walked into the thorns of a rose bush, screeching out, and attracting the notice of a pair of gentlemen who had just crossed the path quite a ways off, called out when they heard the commotion. She started to become chatty with them, obviously coming on to her rescuers, my prism all but forgotten. Than before I knew it, in a swishing of her long gown, she was gone, “swimming” off before I was able to set me ”hook”.
Which I was able to do on the third strike, almost an hour later, just as I was beginning to ponder wither I should call it off and head back home..
They were a pair of young damsels in their young twenties. They may have been sisters, or cousins at the least. I still remember how my heart leapt into my throat as they observed my colourful prism and turned down the old flagstone path. I had not seen anyone out and about for some time, so I knew they would be no would be rescuers around to come to their aid
And, best of all, they were both dressed for the kill!
One, the blonde, was clad in a black velvet number that one could cannily describe as quite form fitting. As were the small ropes of pearls that hung from all points of interest, pretty with a matching pricelessness.
But her cousin, as I will refer to her, out shone black velvet quite literally.
This one, a stunning raven haired beauty, wore a long streaming gown of liquid ivory satin. A diamond brooch sparkled as it held up a fold of the gown to her waist. The fold allowed her to show a rather daring amount of a slender bare calf. The brooch was not paste, but a real jewel that had been added for the nights festivities ( To be successful, one learns to read these signs accurately) Her ears and neckline were home to a matching set of pure white diamonds. A wide diamond bracelet graced a bare right wrist ,so she must be left handed I instinctively thought, an observation that would have aided me if I were planning on having a go for slipping the bracelet from her wrist, but tonight I was planning a much more daring attempt to empty the entire jewel casket, so to speak.
They went to the prism, playing with it a bit, I had begun to circle around, when I noticed black velvet pointing out with multiple ringed fingers, to something further down the path past the wall.
With a clicking of heels I let the pair pass, they apparently wanted to see what was on the other side of the wall. I followed; it was not hard, because the necklace the raven haired one wore, diamonds fully encircling her throat, rippled and sparkled from their perch, caught in the full harvest moon’s cast, giving me more than enough light to shadow them quietly .
After a while they caught on that something/someone was following them, but as they turned they could see nothing. I was in black, and hooded, invisible to them in the shadows of the trees. They whispered amongst themselves, now worried, realizing that there were dangers lurking beyond the pale, in their case, the safety of the gardens , especially for ones decked out as they were. They then turned and headed right back from where they had come, right into my waiting arms.
It is interesting what good breeding does for young, poised ladies. For, as I stepped out of the shadows, a finger of my right hand to my lips, my Fairborn in my left hand, its black blade glinting wickedly in the moonlight , they did not scream out or shout for help. Instead the pair merely let out small gasps, and then they both, in a quite charming synchronized display of disbelief, place each one hand over their open mouths, and the other upon their perspective necklaces.
And as I flourished my wicked looking Fairbairn–Sykes blade in their direction, they unquestioningly reached around and undid those pretty necklaces, tremblingly handing them out to me, like actresses following a well-read script. I took the little pretties and after stuffing them into my satchel, held out again my free hand, my fingers beckoning. Not a word was spoken between us, as the frightened pair of young ladies began removing their shimmering jewels and added them in a neat little growing pile along my open palm. The raven haired girl even undid her brooch without me having to command her to do so. Once I had stashed it all away, I motioned for them to turn back around, than with a little helpful prodding on my part, they began moving forward back down the hill, away from the garden. The one in white hobbling a little now as she kept tripping over the hem of her dress, now no longer held up by the stolen brooch.
After we had traveled about 200 meters I had them stop, and take off their high heels. Then picking the pretty things up, I motioned them to turn back around and made them walk back the way we had come in their bare feet, watching the pair awkwardly hobble barefooted down the wooded path. They would be quite a while on their journey back, allowing me more than ample time to make me escape. I threw their shoes off to the side and went briskly the other way, reaching the place was staying at , gaining my room without notice. But not before I had hidden the jewels inside an old stump to retrieve them at a later date. I never really heard so much as a whisper of the incident, other than from the pretty lips of my friendly maiden. The wee hours of the morning before my early departure for the train station found me revisiting the stump and retrieving my satchel and its precious cargo. After hiding it all in a false bottom of my case I laid my head on the pillow and drifted off to sleep as I wondered what had happened to the little prism, marveling at how useful it had ended up proving to be.
So, how does this story (journey rather) relate to the one I had already started? Please read on, and enrich your curiosity… my dear readers.
****************************************************************************
Act 2
So, with apologies for my lengthy elucidation, but I now return you back to the garden party I was now attending on that warm fall day. But, as you will see, my prism story needed to be told in order to add a bit of flavor to what was about to unfold.
As I sat on the garden bench I formulated my plans. I should be able to acquire the main piece tonight at the Ball, I would have time this afternoon to retrieve my ever handy satchel and its array of tools and have it hidden at the spot I had already selected. It was perfect, located at the end of the path I had found, or rather the charming lady in the smart chiffon dress had found for me. A gas lamp would provide adequate light for my “lure”, and it led to a back wood where I could lead any victims away and liberate them of their valuables before making my escape. I rose, just enough time to walk my escape route, before setting up and then be dressed for the evening’s festivities. I looked around, I was alone now, my lady in white had disappeared, following her own course, whatever it may have been.
The Autumn Ball that evening was in full swing by the time I arrived. Being a cool fall day, most of the women were wearing long gowns and dresses, and that, for whatever the reason, usually meant they were decked out with more layers of jewelry than say , if it had been the middle of summer. In order to put my plan in action I need and intrinsic piece of the trap, a prism. The one I had once had was long ago lost, a minor pawn in a game to take a pair of princesses.
I knew exactly the type of prism required for my plan, and so began mingling amongst the guests with that in mind.
I started out by walking through to the chamber like ballroom where a full orchestra was starting to play. The first person I saw from the garden party was the little tramp who had been wearing the too tight satin tea dress. That dress had been replaced with a long silky gown, her gold jewelry replaced with emeralds; including a thin bracelet that had taken the place of the gold one that she had so obligingly dangled in my larcenous path. I decided to avoid her In principle, and in doing so spied someone quite interesting.
That someone was a pretty lady in a long velvet gown standing off to one side, idly watching the many dancers out on the floor. The dancing couples were forming an imagery of a rainbow coloured sea of slinky swirling gowns and with erupting fireworks of sparkling jewels, ignited by pair of immensely large chandeliers that hung over the dance floor, setting them off. I made my way, skirting the dance floor to reach her, my eyes on her jewels, which were making pretty fireworks of their own. I happened to walk up just as a waiter with a tray of drinks was passing by. Plucking off a drink I offered it to the lady with one hand, my other hand placed on her back as If to steady myself. She laughed prettily, and taking the drink I met her eyes, as she was focused on reaching and holding the glass in her slippery gloved hand, mine was on the ruby and diamond necklace. My hand behind her had flicked open the simple hook and eye clasp of the antique piece and was in the process of lifting it up and whisking it away from her throat. As I said a few words to her, I pocketed it, while also taking in the rest of her lovely figure and its shiny decorations, before biding adieu. She smiled, her pale bare neckline now quite glaringly extinguished of its fire.
It was about an hour later, after spotting, but unable to make inroads with several likely candidates, that I finally struck gold (figuratively). It came in the form of a young couple arguing between themselves in a far corner of the chamber. She was lecturing a rather handsome man in a tux, her jeweled fingers flying in his face. If she hadn’t been moving about in such an animated fashion as she lectured, I may not have even noticed her. But as it happened I did, especially noticeable was the sanctimonious lady’s wide jeweled bracelet that was bursting out in a rainbow of colorful flickers as her hand was emphatically waving, as her long gown of silk swished around with every movement she made. Perfect. I watched for a bit, and sure enough they moved off, the man heading for the patio leading outside, the wealthy girl following him, still giving him lashes with her tongue. I moved and managed to have her bump into me simply by stepping on the hemline of her long gown. For a few seconds I was the one on the receiving end of her wrath, but I took it like a man, I could see in the eyes of her tongue lashed husband, that he was grateful for the respite. I was also grateful; grateful for the quite wide, very shimmering, bracelet that I had removed from her wrist and now was residing in my pocket.
I began to leave the patio, but was stopped by a matronly lady in ruffles, laces and pearls, her breath heavy with alcohol. She started to question me on what the couple had been on about. Then without waiting for an answer she launched herself into a tirade of her own, her gem encrusted, silken gloved fingers, waving in my face for emphasis. It was almost ten minutes before I was able to make my escape. Which I did, but not before slipping off one of the lecturing ladies vulgarly large cocktail rings.
I headed onto the patio; the time was getting ripe for my plan, which I was now ready to put into motion, now having acquired its most essential piece. I went to the end of the large patio, weaving in and out of the by now well liquored guests whom had assembled there. Across the way I saw a lady tripping over her own gown. By the time I reached her she had fallen down, giggling merrily. Two of us rushed to her aid, she was busy gushed her thanks to the rescuer she knew, while ignoring the one she didn’t! Which was unfortunate on her part, for by ignoring me, she also was ignorant of the fact that I was busy lifting the small stands of black pearls from her wrist. I left unnoticed, much like a shadow fading out of the light, or at least that’s how it seemed. Finally I reached the patios outer edge without further incident, or gain. I went on the grass and turned a corner with the intention of going, post haste around the house to reach the gardens by the long way, hoping not to be seen by anyone. But I no sooner turned the corner, when I realized that it was not to be the case.
It was my blithe spirit in white chiffon from the garden party, pardon me, soiree. She was unescorted, looking up at the moon above a stone turret with one lit window, so intently that my presence had not been noticed. I had been absolutely correct in my observation of her as far as what she would be wearing for the evening. For what she had lacked in ornaments at the soiree, she had more than made up for in the evening festivities. She was absolutely gorgeous, resplendent in as beautiful a silvery satin gown that I had ever witness. It was just pouring down, shimmering along her delightful figure. Her long blazing red hair was still curling down and free, but now a pair of long chandelier earrings cascading down from her earlobes, were peeking out every now and then as they swayed with her every movement. Her blazingly rippling necklace was all diamonds, dripping down the front of her tightly satin covered bosom, twinkling iridescently like an intensively glimmering waterfall. Her slender gloved wrists were home to a pair of dangling diamond bracelets that were almost outshone by her many glistening rings. All in all she was quite a lure all too herself
I came up to her, starling her from her reverie. Taking up her hand, I looked into her startled, suddenly blushing face. I complimented her on the fine gown she wore. She thanked me, and I could see I that she suddenly remembered she me as the chap who she thought smiled to her in the garden. She seemed to accept my compliment quite readily. I chanced it( although Lord knows I was short on time) and asked her to a dance. I did not think she would agree, so it was with a little bit of surprise, hoping she would politely decline and walk off, leaving me free to go about my business unobserved. But she accepted, and I will admit that my heart leapt as she agreed (although in the back of my mind I knew I should be off if my plan was to work). The music had stopped so we made small talk as we slowly walked back to the ballroom. Her name was Katrina. It seems she was waiting for someone, which suited my plans, but he was late and so she had time. Which may have sounded dismissive, but from the apologetic way she said it, it was anything but the sort.
The orchestra started to tune back up as we entered, and taking her offered hand up, was soon lost in the elegance of my appealing partner. It was a long dance, and a formal one, but I could tell she was subtly anxious to be off on her meeting, as I was to be off to my own adventure. But Katrina did not really allow it to show, which was very uncharacteristic of her someone with her obvious breeding. So I was ready when the by the end of the music she begged her condolences and took flight. I watched her as she fluidly moved away, her jewels sparkling, all of them. On her mission to meet Mr. X I thought, for whom I was already harboring a quite jealous dislike. I should be off I thought to meself.
But I stood, still as stone; totally mesmerized by the way Katrina’s swirling silvery satin gown was playing out along her petite, jewel sparkling figure. It wasn’t till the last of her gown swished around a corner out of sight that I moved, but not without having to shake my head to clear the thoughts of her out of it. Well old son, focus. For by now the guests were starting to wander a bit afield in the waning hours of the Autumn Ball, and my small window of opportunity was closing fast. If my little plan was going to have any chance of success it would have to be now.
I walked out and made my way to one of the outside exist of the garden wall. Reaching into my pocket as I did so, fingering the bracelet, now cold, that had belonged to the quarrelsome lady,and soon would be playing another role, far from one its former mistress would ever have dreamed off. I also felt my new acquisition, still warm from my dance partner’s body. I will admit that I had felt a twinge of regret for taking it from a lady I had found to be most charmingly captivating. But slipping off the diamonds up and away from her throat had been as temptingly easy as it had been automatic. I had advantageously made use of the sleekness of her scintillatingly silky gown, and with the distractions created by the movements of the dance, successfully managed to keep Katrina’s attention safely diverted from the reality of why my fingers were ever so gently, caressingly sliding along her slippery gowns neckline. The truth was I had originally placed my hand there because it had felt so right, and I was a little startled when my fingers had subconsciously started playing with her necklaces clasp. Before I knew it, they had flicked open the gemstone clasp of her obviously expensive diamond necklace, and had lifted up. As I watched out of the corner of my eye, almost like I was a spectator, as opposed to being the perpetrator, I saw the chain move up and over her shoulder; its diamonds sparkling with is as the necklace disappeared from view behind her back.
It was a favored technique that I had perfected to the point that by this stage of my career I nearly always acquired my objective. But, as odd as it sounds, I was not happy with myself on this occasion.
But I did not long dwell on my mixed feelings on taking the charming lass’s diamonds, for by now I had reached my place of ambush. It was in one of the farthest reaches of the garden, at a bend on the end of a long path that, with a gas lamp at its beginning just off the patio, would allow me to see from some distance off. Behind me was a break in the hedge wide enough for a person to walk through comfortably. It was here, off a tree limb, underneath a second ornate cast iron gas lamp, which was now lit, that I hung the shimmering bracelet that I had sought out and acquired for just that reason
I walked around and saw that it could be seen flickered off in the distance from the woods, Perfect! Earlier I had hidden my satchel with a hood and knife and bit of rope in the hollow of an old tree. I now retrieved them, and after getting ready, found my position and waited. At 10 minutes past the first hour of my wait, with nary a single glimpse of anyone, I started to fidget. My corner may be just a bit too desolated I was beginning to admit to myself. It seemed that most of the guests were staying by the patio. I was starting to think that I should pack it in, possibly rejoining the guests for one last parting( of someone from her Jewelry). I was just reaching down to pick up my satchel when I suddenly saw something flash under the gas lamp at the beginning of the path, and my senses immediately perked up. I watched as the wisps of rich shimmery satin moved closer, I stiffened, drooling with anticipation, the game was afoot.
I could see clearly the flickering jewels she wore, and by their blazing sparkles of rippling fire, I knew that my long vigil would not have been in vain. As the lady drew I recognized her gown of silvery satin! I knew who was making those tantalizing flashes of appealing treasures. Katrina!
I watched as she approached, in all her glittering elegance. My heart and conscious was in turmoil, but I knew I probably would not get a second chance. I could not let her get away unscathed. Beside, from the shock of being confronted with a masked scoundrel wielding a wicked blade, she would be in no shape to recognize her assailant. She stopped, apprehensively looking back towards the bright lights of the Manor, Then turning back I saw she had a self-satisfied smile creeping upon her face. She reached up, and undoing her hair, shook it down, curls of softness cascading down, hanging loosely down. It was as she performed this provocative act, that I saw her eyes open wide in curiosity; she had spied my pretty little “prism”. The charming fish was hooked.
I waited, watching her approaching ever closer to fate, and from my concealment, I basked in her glow. My heart beating fast, my adrenaline pumping, for the remaining jewels (I thought of her necklace in my custody) that she possessed I already had witnessed were quite valuable. She passed my hiding spot and went to the hanging, shimmering object. As she reached up, looking around, she failed to see me approaching in the shadows. I came up from behind, jabbing a finger in her back as I reached her, I gruffly in no uncertain terms, snarled for her to freeze and make no sound. She stiffened under my touch, but made no move or outcry. I went around; pointing my knife in her direction, looking into her sad doe wide eyes as she realized what was going to happen next. She was trembling; from fear I guessed, and knew I had her right where I wanted. As I made my demands upon her, gimme them jewels sister, she, not surprisingly, was very compliant in giving them up to me. She reached for her necklace last, and looked entirely shocked to find her throat bare, as she searched the neckline of her gown I saw her look into my hand, now dripping with her precious jewelry, almost as if to see if she had not already removed it. She looked apologetically into my eyes, startled; almost pleading that she didn’t know what had happened to it. I just played dump. She than spoke for the first time, sir, may I ask to keep my purse? Her words would have instantly melted even the coldest chunk of ice, I looked down at the little silvery clutch hanging from her arm on its rhinestone chain, I nodded, indicating that she could, and saw relief wash over her face. I told her she now needed to turn around and walk off into the woods ahead of me. She hesitated, and I told her no harm would befall her, I had no intentions along those lines.
About 5 meters in I stopped her, and had her remove her shoes, as she bent over to undo the high heels rhinestone clasps I watched her gown tightly outlining her figure. She tripped on the hem of her gown, and as she attempted to keep her balance, accidently let her purse slip off her shoulder. Without thinking I reached down to pick it up for her as she tried reached for it simultaneously
The small purse was far heavier than it should have been. Curious I opened it, finding that it contained a rather extensive array of mismatched jewelry, glittering in unbelievably expensive fire . I looked into Katrina’s horror struck eyes dumb founded, as she looked guiltily into mine. The gig was up. The jewels belonged to the lady of the manor, my muse in silver was a thief, a female version of me very self.
Aye, what’s this than luv? I questioned her as she looked into my eyes, hers large with a mixture of fright and disbelief. She melted before me, fainting, I caught her in my arms, and it was no ruse. I held her as she came to, holding her warm, silky figure lovingly to mine. I did not know what to think. Nor could I ever explain what possessed me to do what I did next. As she came to, her eyes opened, and I removed my mask, looking back into them deeply.
Oh, she gasped, I’m glad it was you, startled that she had said the words out loud. She than started to coyly blushes, quite demurely. Something sparked in me, and unless she was an incredibly good actress, it did also for Katrina. Our eyes both looked into the others, melting away in the lust of the moment. We embraced, deeply, and I held her squirming warm slick figure tight in my enveloping arms. I looked over her shoulder, eyeing the glistening bracelet hanging from its branch. To catch a thief, the thought suddenly opened in my mind, what a great title for a novel I thought to myself, as I buried my nose into Katrina’s luxuriously soft hair.
We talked for a bit, walking off into the woods, then she looked into my eyes again, a coy, look that melted me on the spot, and that was the end of it, we embraced again, and wholly gave ourselves to one another. What about your man I asked suddenly remembering, my man she questioned , than oh, you mean the Lord, I was waiting for him to come down from smoking in his tower study, that’s where the lady’s jewels are kept. She broke into an Irish brogue as she said the last bit, and that I guessed was her natural tongue. she laid a hand on the side of my face, thanks for being jealous though, me lad.
I should collect my lure I said, which made her smile; it was such an enticing smile at that. We started to head back and watched as it dangled in front of us flickering. With a far off look in her green eyes, Katrina spoke as if in deep though.
The daughter of the house, she has a bracelet on like the one you have dangling, a bracelet of diamonds that I had taken a fancy to, wishing it had been in the safe along with the rest of the ladies of manors jewelry. I knew who she was talking about. The one in green taffeta I asked? Aye lad, that’s the one. Actually her necklace would be just as easy, and worth more I said. Just then her bright green eyes gleamed, Give me about a half an hour, she told me, we will put your little lure to use again. She noticed my hesitation, don’t worry luv she said soothingly placing a gloved hand to my cheek, no longer was it sparkly with its stolen bracelet and rings. I’ll leave my purse with you, can’t very well be carrying it around now can I? I nodded my consent, my mind burning with the thoughts she had alluringly placed there.
She turned, and then hesitated; turning back she said I probably should not go back in naked luv. I smiled, reaching in I pulled out her necklace and placed it around her throat. With a little gasp she blurted, so it was you, I was wondering who and when it had happened. It’s not the first time I’ve had me jewels lifted, but it’s a bloody annoyance to have to let them get away with it, crawls under my skin to have pretend not to notice so that I don’t draw any attention to me self before making my move to steal the posh ones jewels.
But you, mister, I never felt as much as a prickling. I was ready to assume my pretties had been a victim of a broken clasp this time. I gave a little nod in acceptance. That wasn’t exactly a compliment lad, she said in what I hopped was a subtle jest. Just last summer some clumsy bugger slipped of me earrings, my favorite pearls, as we were danc… she stopped, seeing the guilt in my eyes. Men! As thieves you are all of the same skin she spat out angrily, or attempted to sound angry, for the look in her eyes to me she wasn’t. I best be off, before I change me mind about out little endeavor.
With that she swirled around on her heels, and started off, but not before turning and giving me an extremely coy look of interest. As she swirled back around I heard her say loud enough for my ears, I’ll learn me self to be a picker of pockets, see how males like to be taken advantage of in their vulnerabilities! She nodded to herself as she said it. Then suddenly she stopped, than twirled on her heels, her gown swirling enticingly along her figure. Looking me dead in the eye she said, “Vie ne est pas d'attendre que la tempête , mais d'apprendre à danser sous la pluie” !
What does that mean? I questioned in a low voice, perplexed.
Maybe, Mon Cheri, someday I will tell you… And with that she turned on her heel, her gown once again swirling about, and went, determinedly, swishing her way back up the path. I just watched. I had never heard anyone speak French with an Irish Brogue and I had found it to be rather provocative!
I watched as she swished and swayed her way back through the hedge and regained the path leading back to the manor. Her plan was simple; she would lead the daughter of the house to my corner and as she had done, go out with her to look at the swinging charm. I would then make my appearance, rob both ladies of their finery, and telling the daughter to wait until I released her friend, walk off with Katrina as a hostage, and we would both take off and make good our escape. A simple plan, so simple it should actually work.
So, there I was. Holding a purse with a small fortune in jewels, my pocket full of more jewels worth an additional pretty farthing, and her charms were wearing off by her leaving. And my thieving nature coming back, reawakened from the spell they had been under!
The devil of my conscious crept out on my shoulder, the angel markedly absent from the other.
Look mate, she may not be all she seems, and possibly has some other game in mind. Maybe she does have a male confidante helping her out… and was actually on her way to fetch him. He said in my inner ear. And, after all, you took her diamonds twice, didn’t ye now? Do you really think shell forgive you of that me lad?
And there is no honor amongst thieves, as the saying goes, he added as a closing argument...
I rolled it over in my mind…I could leave, absconding with it all, book a cruise to the states or down under where there lay untried fertile grounds to ply my trade. Not to mention working over my fellow passengers aboard the cruise ship while they attended the fancy affairs that were always going on, or so the brochures always seemed to show……
Then In the distance I caught a wisp of Katrina’s long silvery gown. She was coming, and not only with the daughter of the manor, but also with a spare. For I could see a purple coloured gown swishing alongside with the prey in rustling green taffeta.. I watched as all three ladies, resplendent with the rippling fiery gems they all possessed, came up the path, gowns sweeping out , shimmery from the now misty distance.
The thought of making my escape with all the loot continued to haunt me, there was still time now to take off without notice, or I could rob all three, and leave with purple silk as my hostage, Katrina would not be able to say anything on chance of giving up her part of the game, or I could just be a good lad and sty with the script that Katrina had written. Take a chance, roll the dice and believe that she was all she had me believing she could ever be.
As they came closer I knew my time was running out. The thoughts of just looking out for myself kept coming up playing the devil with my conscience as the precious seconds ticked away…
No honor amongst thieves…
What will it be, old boy I challenged myself,
What will you have it be?........
To see what his decision ultimately was, and the eventual path it led to, see the album question answered)
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Life is not about waiting out the storm, but about learning to dance in the rain.
Vie ne est pas d'attendre que la tempête , mais d'apprendre à danser sous la pluie .
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Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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All rights and copyrights observed by Chatwick University, Its contributors, associates and Agents
The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.
No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.
These photos and stories are works of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment and/or educational purposes only, and should never be attempted in real life.
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Given that today is Rugby League semi final day I thought that I should upload a rugby photo. This shot is from Wakefield Warriors game a few weeks ago against Farnley Falcons.
Class 45/0 45045 lis seen at Brent Junction (Cricklewood) with a mixed load for the North. No details are given but i suspect the class 33 has worked in on the train and the 'peak' has taken over. The train appears to be coming off the Down Brent Curve from Dudding Hill Junction (Acton Branch). Now, as for the consist, it looks like two diesel brake tenders, a Queen Mary brake and at least 3 vehicles from an Oerlikon (Watford Line) EMU! I cant quite make out the other stock but it looks like a massive train of unusual ECS! I have no idea of the date but the peak has a flush front and TOPS number. Any information would be most welcome! Photo: Ivan Stewart Collection.
Given the black cap, it would indicate this to be a male nuthatch. The female has a grayish cap and nape.
Given that the liquidation of all products also saw all fixtures for sale, it remains to be seen just how exactly Southaven is able to reopen so quickly; perhaps not many of its fixtures actually sold off and they've just been sitting around, as l_dawg2000 has suggested to me, or alternatively, fixtures from one of the three stores this location has now effectively “traded places” with were shipped over (though I doubt the logistics of that would've worked out very well). I was hoping to take a closer look inside the front doors to see what all, if any, has changed on the interior, but with these crews working, I didn't want to seem more suspicious than I already did. (Yep, that's a good power-washing taking place in this pic: about darn time!!, guess all it took was the store closing and reopening XD See the before here, and also note the purple accents are now painted gray.)
Even though Gordmans is reopening, however, I don't expect it to be exactly the same as it was the first time around. First of all, there's the matter of the positions now all needing to be refilled: many former employees have likely found new jobs already, and I'm sure others frankly wouldn't want to come back to work here given the circumstances (if you were laid off from a place that was closing, only for it to reopen, would you want to come back?). Similarly, they're running the risk of alienating past customers, who may interpret this reopening as a sign that the liquidation was simply a gimmick (and for all I know, maybe it was!). Then on top of all that, there's the whole merchandise deal: it sounds like Stage will be taking Gordmans in a bit of a different direction, making it more of an off-price chain, so we'll see how that works out. If it doesn't, there's always the chance that this store could liquidate and close again, which would definitely be unfavorable.
Overall, I can't deny that I'm glad to see this store reopen – STC must have a thing for retailer resurrections, since Sportsmans Warehouse across the mall did the exact same thing before, as l_dawg reminded me! (although in that case, it was closed for years, not just a mere month) – but I think I'm more happy simply to see the space being retenanted, more so than I am to see Gordmans returning specifically, since as you can tell, I have some reservations about how this second chance at life for the Southaven Gordmans will ultimately work out...
Sadly, I won't be able to make the June 29th grand reopening, but I do hope to return to this store soon after that just to see what's changed (if anything). And now that it'll be back in business once more, I'll also likely pop in from time to time as it suits me: you know, like normal :P If I see majorly drastic changes, I'll get some pictures (heck, I'll probably get some regardless knowing me!), but I won't be able to post them until this fall at the earliest. Nevertheless, be sure to stick around for my final photoset from the liquidation next weekend, which will definitely be looked at and written about from a different perspective now...
(...wow, okay, it looks like I wrote a whole essay for this thing... sorry everyone XD )
Gordmans (former Gordmans!) // 100 Towne Center Loop, Southaven, MS 38671
(c) 2017 Retail Retell
These places are public so these photos are too, but just as I tell where they came from, I'd appreciate if you'd say who :)
this used to be, around may, an field full of tulips. That won't happen again in the future because it is said to be "given back to nature" This first year without the farmers hand looks beautifull with the grain like vegetation on it.
Given the HDR treatment (....but just a little bit).
Plessey Windmill, Hartford, nr Cramlington, Northumberland, UK
Given Teves for FHM Philippines April 2011
photographed by paul ticzon
make up by jo ticzon for benefits style salon
hair by don donato of benefits style salon
shot at matsuri bar quezon city
special thanks to erwin tolentino and rage tianero
on any given moment on any given day one is likely to see something of interest on or near our lodge grounds,,,, course one needs to think critters are interesting.,... Even on this drab snowy morn these buffs seemed to brighten the day... cbc
66118 is given the chance to stretch its legs seen passing Oakley on the down fast with 4H03 09.56 Bletchley - Peak Forest.
25/03/16
The HVDC Cross-Channel (French: Interconnexion France Angleterre) is the name given to two different high voltage direct current (HVDC) connections that operate or have operated under the English Channel between the continental European and British electricity grids.
The first Cross-Channel link was a 160 MW link completed in 1961 and decommissioned in 1984, while the second was a 2000 MW link completed in 1986.
The HVDC Building taken from Makepeace Hide, looking across Burrowes Pit, at RSPB Dungeness.
The current 2000 MW link, like the original link, is bi-directional and France and Britain can import/export depending upon individual needs.
160MW system (1961)
The first HVDC Cross-Channel scheme was built by ASEA and went into service in 1961 between converter stations at Lydd in England (next to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station) and Echinghen, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France. This scheme was equipped with Mercury arc valves, each having four anodes in parallel.
In order to keep the disturbances of the magnetic compasses of passing ships as small as possible, a bipolar cable was used. The cable had a length of 65 kilometres (40 mi) and was operated symmetrically at a voltage of ±100 kV and a maximum current of 800 amperes. The maximum transmission power of this cable was 160 megawatts (MW). The cable was built by ABB Group. Given that the cable was laid on the surface of the seabed it was prone to being fouled by fishing nets, causing damage. Whilst repairs were undertaken there was considerable down time on the circuit resulting in a loss of trading. Indeed by 1984 the circuit was disconnected from the Main Transmission System.
I was given the unique opportunity to attend a social media meetup, hosted by Universal Orlando Resort, for this year's Halloween Horror Nights 26 event.
The experience was incredible, to say the least. From the tour of the 'American Horror Story' house with Universal creative, to the food that was served at Horror Makeup Show, everything was top notch and presented in a professional manner.
The highlight of the night was a meet and greet with Chance from every piece of PR imaginable. Not only was she willing to take a photograph with everybody in the room that attended the event, but she was also willing to pose in front of the HHN 26 sign for me. If only I had asked her to scoot a bit more to her left; could've saved the 'N' in 'Halloween.'
At any given moment, I have between five to thirty squirrels in my backyard. They come from near and far to eat the nuts I put out. This drives Rusty nutty! He chirps and slinks around trying to catch one....but alas, he is too obvious and slow. Purrr...fect backyard entertainment for him. HAPPY FURRY FRIDAY!
[ Please read my wildlife disclaimer below in comments. NO birds or squirrels are ever harmed by my pets....I simply will NOT allow it].
Name: Thomas Craigie
Arrested for: not given
Arrested at: North Shields Police Station
Arrested on: 2 November 1905
Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-79-Thomas Craigie
For an image of his accomplice Edwin Frankland see www.flickr.com/photos/twm_news/24815527135/in/album-72157....
The Shields Daily News for 9 November 1905 reports:
“LENIENTLY DEALT WITH.
Edwin F. Frankland (17), steamboatman, 41 Elsdon Street and Thomas Craigie (18), labourer, Bull Ring Stairs, were charged with being found on enclosed premises for an unlawful purpose on the 1st inst.
Miss Sarah Hall, a general dealer, residing and carrying on business in the Bull Ring, deposed to locking up her premises at 11.15 pm on the 31st ult. and being awakened by her sister at six o’clock the following morning and finding that the house had been entered.
Jane Hall, a sister of the prosecutrix, said that she awakened and saw Frankland standing in the door with a candle in his hand. She asked him what he wanted and he made no reply.
Sergeant Hall said that he apprehended Frankland at his house in Elsdon Street. In reply to the charge he said “Craigie forced open the shutters, drew the bolt, went inside and I followed. I struck a match and someone shouted out.” He apprehended Craigie in his mother’s house and he made no reply to the charge. The magistrates took a lenient view of the case, although the defendants pleaded guilty and dismissed the charge against them.”
These images are a selection from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 in the collection of Tyne & Wear Archives (TWA ref DX1388/1).
This set contains mugshots of boys and girls under the age of 21. This reflects the fact that until 1970 that was the legal age of majority in the UK.
(Copyright) We're happy for you to share this digital image within the spirit of The Commons. Please cite 'Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums' when reusing. Certain restrictions on high quality reproductions and commercial use of the original physical version apply though; if you're unsure please email archives@twmuseums.org.uk.
Any given Sunday Paseo de la reforma Mexico City
If you like this shot please go see my ALBUM "Any given Sunday in Mexico City"
www.flickr.com/photos/luajr/albums/72157638501177336
Or "street Shots"
The Wager..
…..
Prologue
“Sigh, Here goes it then, “he probably is still at that bar” …… I said with a slight hesitation, but with no whine in me voice ( for the record). I then promptly turned away and moved off , wading my way back inside…
……
The tale
Ten minutes later …
I finally was able to make an approach up to the long scarred oaken bar, after weaving my way amongst the countless numbers of mingling guests, all dolled up for the evening. So I guess that is why I was not quite successfully keeping my focus on the task at hand that was inadvertently before to me..
Finally reaching me destination, I Ordered an old fashion (with rye ) and sat down next to him and said pleasantly.” how is it going Mate?”
He had been studying the dance floor, but at my greeting sighed and pulled himself away to look me up an down with a rather suspicious eye.
I met his gaze squarely, still smiling, avoiding the impulse to stare at the lit cigarette dangling from his lip. Being a pipe man meself ,I was a wee bit opinioned when it came to sloppy cigarettes smokers, especially those who left the bloody things cheekily in their mouths at all times.
“Wotcher” he said, a bit snidely I thought, since I was just trying to be friendly.
“Do I know you Guv?” He quizzically added.
“ Sorry.” I admitted, “ Thought you looked like a bloke I knew up Manchester way.”
“Not from there am I , guv !” He stated rather dismissively.
I ploughed on… “Well, one can’t always be right, can one?”
“Just getting a drink” I continued,” I see yours is out, whatcha be having ?”
“Highball” he said smartly, and turned back away. For some reason I was not surprised at the blokes drink of choice.
He certainly was most interested in the goings on the ballroom dance floor! I caught the Keeps eye and indicated a refill was in order for my new found ‘mate’.
By then I had mine and I took a long, gloriously settling, sip. “That’s better” I sighed, a bit too deeply probably, but my new acquaintance, with full attention back on the ballroom dance floor, paid my comments no heed.
He hadn’t asked me name, which was fine by me, kept me from having to remember the one I would have had to ‘ave made up. Nor did I care to know this blokes name either, though I was harboring a pretty good guess that it would be a rather recognizable one, either mentopned from the telly or tomorrow’s fish and chip wrappers.
But I could see I had lost the chaps attention….
“Pretty” I said following his gaze.
“What ‘s pretty ?!” he stated sharply, not diverting his watchful eyes.
I noticed that they were a bit shifty, his eyes, like a sly, watchful fox, and that they moved with a rapid constancy. Think a young Trevor Howard with Peter Lorre’s eyes, and you have the chap to a T!
“The dancers, mate” I said, “this lot is dressed rather elegantly tonight!.”
He peeled his eyes off the dancers twirling and swishing about, and turned slowly to me, a bit scornfully , “what did you expect guv, its full dress tonight, that’s why you and I have these monkey suits on, taint it?”
“Indeed sir” , I said agreeably with what I hoped was a winningly sincere voice, though down deep, to meself, I felt this prig deserved anything but politeness. Still I carried on, trying to be friendly.
“That lass in the green is pretty” I remarked, nodding in a direction by the far corner of the floor to where a rather petite lady with black hair, prettily clad in a shiny bit of a green gown, black glasses owlishly perched on her nose, and displaying a rather nice little set of shimmering emeralds, was dancing with a bird like bloke wearin ,of all things, a scarlet red vest.
“Personally, I like the way her emerald jewelry sets off against her gown!”, I added whilst pointed her out…
He had gotten his drink, and I noticed he had half drained it in one gulp, and set it down without a kind word, like say, thank you..! He was on his way to a real bender if he kept up with that pace I thought, eyeing the two other, empty glasses, collected at his elbow on the bar top!
He had gone back to his eyeing of the ballroom’s inhabitants, I could see his eyes flitting about.
“Whasat” he finally said, “The gangly bird dancing with cock robin? Yah,I suppose so.” He snorted at his own remark.
Then looking at me for a long second, he continued on.. “Like her jewels do ya than mate?” he said not bothering to hide the snideness in his comment .. “ Meself, Guv, I notice more than a sweetie’s bloody jewels !” He again chuckled dryly at his presumed wit, I did not choose to join in..
“Occupational hazard I guess, noticing jewelery .” ,I admitted, choosing not to expound on my drinking partner’s opinion, “I own a small jewelry shoppe on the village green.” “Nothing much, but it pays one’s rent.”
That opened him up a bit….
“I guess than a gent like you would prattle on about jewels” “Is that what brings you alone here these evening?” “I aint seen you out dancing with anyone.” There was definitely insinuation behind his words, but, therin, laid a delicate path I dared not explore, lest my incipient plan blew up in my face.
I gave no reply, and after the observation was spoken, let him continue on in his dry, sniping tone that I was beginning to realize was his normal manner of speech!
“So you just want a bit of a peek at what you sell guv?” “ Me, I just like lookin at the whole bleedin package, iffin you get my drift !!”
And giving me a weaselly little grin, he nudged me with his elbow with a mirthless cackling laugh , then turned his attention raptly back onto the thronging occupants of the dance floor..
Spotting a possible opening, I delved into the breach. Sink or swim time.
“So what do you do when you are not attending these rather posh affairs?” I asked, trying to keep a wedge in our conversation. Even though the answer was pretty obvious from the blighters manner of dress, and baby smooth manicured fingers!
“Nuttin” he said through gritted teeth, never diverting his gaze to me, “Don’t hafta work like a regular Git, gets a small allowance from me father don’t I! Not much though, old parental gents are too cheap by half if you ask me, livin in the stone age where moneys concerned!!” He literally spat out the last few words.
“Shame” I sympathetically pretended to agree , “but still”, and raisin my glass, said “cheers to being able to keep a roof over one’s head.”
We both drained our glasses in salute and I ordered another round.
After we were served, my new ‘friend’ , out of the side of his mouth since his eyes were glued back on the ballroom dancers stated wryly, “You like’n them emeralds? Guv ” , and I could see his eyes were again stuck on watching the lady elegantly wearing,( in me own humble opinion), the green satin offset with her brite glittering emeralds. “A bit too mousey for my taste”, He continued, “ole 4 eyes there, still, I wouldn’t say no to admire’in what she has under that shiny dress!” And he let out another little snort at his crude witticism.
Crude apparently being a trademark of all this Bloke’s remarks!
I choose to ignore his rather rude comment, and went on, trying to remain unruffled by my new friends rather blunt outlook on the fairer sex !
“I admire any gemstones that I can sell my dear sir.” I said causally, delicately, “ but there are other things that I will also allow to command my interest.”
“ Wjats you on about then?” He asked, reluctantly taking his eyes from the dance floor and placing his attention fully back onto me, as he looked me over like he had just now noticed I was there!.
I remembered thinking, yeah ya bleedin prig, two free drinks and not a thank you in sight. Picked a winner here, I did! But when I spoke, my words and manner of speech did not betray any of me thoughts.
“Well”, I admitted rather sheepishly, “In my line of work I come across many alerts from the constabulary about ladies who have had jewels come up missing, and asked to keep an open eye out.”
He looked suspiciously at me.. “The bobbies ask YOU about it?” he questioned.
“No” I admitted, “all jewelers receive the same circulars.” “But you see, the thing that peaks my curiosity at these events is to try and catch one in action!”
“Catch one what guv ?” he asked quizzically.
“Thief !“ I announced in a ‘everyone one knows’ tone of voice’,..
“You see lad, a good many circulars describe how ladies lose a bit of their jewelry at functions like these from time to time. It is assumed that the expensive pieces just had bad clasps, but me, I am not so sure that is the case, for it appears to happen far too frequently in these parts!”
“What else would it be guv?” He asked, his sluggish curiosity, finally, peaking !
“Well” I said, leaning in to him rather conspiratorially, “ I have come to a conclusion that there is a fraction of thieves out there that are able to lift jewels being worn by ladies, like these being worn here tonight, without being caught in the act! And I attend functions like these on the off chance to see if my thesis is correct.”
“Thesis?” my rather cheeky friend asked, not getting the drift. “
I sighed inwardly, thinkin entirely to me self that we will be here all evening if I have to explain everything to this most likely privately schooled, but still uneducated Git! I decided to go easy on the verbage with him from now on !
“Theory lad, a belief that, say, our lady yonder in the green frock could possibly be parted from her emeralds by one of her dance partners, if the bloke was of the mindset to acquire them in that manner.”
“And since she wouldn’t be suspecting it, said dance partner may have an eye for her necklace, and slip the emeralds away from around her very throat without her even noticing, until he was either long gone, or the emeralds returned to her !” I explained calmly.
“ You sayin guv?” “ that that swarmy cock robin bloke dancin with that skrawny 4 eyed bird, may be after her necklace?”
“Rot!” he smirked , taking his eyes off of the couple and onto me , “nigh impossible to do such a thing!”
“Besides”, he continued on, “ If someone was that interested in her jewels, why not just follow her out and do a complete job of it !?”
“A lot more risk involved being caught doin it that way Mate, not to mention it being rather obvious that she is being robbed! No, to do it this way a thief could come away scot free with the goods without any suspicions falling upon himself.” I stated in a quite logical tone of voice.
“But, a bloke would have to be a rather quick fingered one, like a pickpocket wouldn’t he now?” He questioned, his eyes back on the dancing couple.
And have someone to practice on, I thought to meself before answering…
“Nay my good sir,” I assured, “I think it could be done by the most common of thieves, I bet even non-thieves like you or I could do it with some success!”
“Blimey mate, your still half cracked barmy for even thinking that way!”
He sneered, but I saw him take a long, speculative look at the green satin clad lady, being waltzed merrily along the dance floor, completely unawares that she and her nicely shimmering emeralds had become such a rather unscrupulous topic line of speculation!
“Ten quid lad!” I said quietly under my breath.
“Whots that then mate?” He perked up while addressing me quizzically, “Tenner for what?”
“Ten quid Says I could lift that particular lady’s pretty necklace straight away, and not be caught out in the process?”
He thought about it for one long minute, finishing his drink in the meantime. “Don’t know guv, Bobbies may frown upon that!”
I countered, trying to set the hook in deep, figuring a bit of creative lying would be in good order to ease away his concerns.
“Not if I don’t get caught lad, and that necklace is only a cheap imitation. She probably got it out of a cracker jack box ,and being chintzy, she wouldn’t be surprised at the clasp breaking away an it falling as she danced, if sayin she would happen to noticed my amateur attempt, would she now?”
I could see he was mulling something over as I spoke, as his limp cigarette was bobbing up and down still clamped in his pursed lips. It was certainly a long time coming together, this blokes imaginary skills!
He finally nodded towards the lady in green, happily being swished around the dance floor in all of her innocence bliss, her emeralds making a nice show of it, sparkling on like they were , just crying out to be noticed and admired, which they were, and perhaps soon that sparkling cry would be hushed by an admirer !
“Suppose that gangly 4 eyed bird looks gullible enough to try it out on. Probably too shy, so won’t make too much fuss when she catches you trying!” He looked at me. “ And make no mistake bloke , you will be caught… and then I wouldn’t know you from Adam ! Make it two for one guv, and you are on a bet!” He snarked..
And like that, the hook was set ! Though, blimey, I had seen carp from the ‘Myths’ finally taking bait with less subtly!!
“Capital!” I acknowledged, “I like a good challenge!”
I arose, straightening my jacket and tie, and looking at the lady wearing the green gown, I commented, half encouraging to meself, “You are on lad!” And marched myself off to the dance floor.
The current song was ending and I caught up with my quarry as she began nicely swishing her way off the dance floor.
I had observed she had been dancing with several different partners , making that note after she had first attracted my interest, and saw she was now, once again, alone.
Laying fingers gently upon a green satin clad shoulder, I gently touched her from behind. She turned and with a rather fetching demure look ,caste me a pair of questioning hazel coloured eyes. Said eyes were rather enticingly enlarged by being behind the thick lensed black glasses she was wearing.
“Care to dance?” I asked, with some earnest, after all ten quid is ten quid!
She smiled, laying upon me an aire of innocence that rather took me aback for an instance…,then said sweetly “I am a bit worn out just now sir”
My heart dropped down to my feet at that!
Seeing my disappointment, then she continued with a perked smile, placing a gloved hand to her throat and playing with the very necklace, one which decidedly, despite my earlier comments, would not have come from a crackerjack box!
“I be guess ‘in that I can’t see what harm one more dance could do, would it then ?”
She spoke with a rather soft sort of Irish brogue, that was second generation at best, but had me hooked with its lyrical lilt! “Brilliant!” I said with heartfelt meaning, and led her back to the wooden dance floor as the orchestra was getting ready to start playing again.
A slow dance started up and I took her in my arms, keeping a discreet, friendly distance between us.
We made small talk, though I avoided talking anything about jewelry. Trying to think like a thief, I was figuring in me mind that if the plan was to be carried out with success, I, and my victim, needed to stay well away off the subject of the jewels she was wearing!.
I did, however, manage to steal several discreet glances at her necklace, a pretty thing, thin gold chain, set with a single row of emeralds divided by small sparkly chips of diamonds. It had a loose lay around her neck, bouncing easily along their perch, which was just nicely above the girl’s tightly satin clad chest. By the manner in which the necklace was moving about, It should slip off rather easily, if I was to now be judge of such matters!
After a few random comments concerning the evening’s doings, I complimented her on her pretty hair.
Which it was, pretty I mean, strikingly black, falling softly down to her shoulders where its curled ends swayed with a most delighting motion, not to mention the long emerald earrings that kept peeking in and out as they swung merrily from her hair.
I removed my hand from round her waist and lifted a lock with my left hand in emphasis, taking the opened opportunity to study her necklaces clasp, and to re-set my hand upon her rather sensuous feeling back side, gently laying it nonchalantly just below her shoulder. She appeared not to notice the change.
She ate it up, giggling with pleasure, flicking her hair back, sending the pair of those lovely ,longish earrings sparkling alongside her enchanting face, the whole effect made even more lively with those eyeglass magnified, doe like wide eyes!
She was quite a vexing, most charming thing, my dance partner, and the conversation flowed easily between us. She appeared to be an absolutely sweetly trusting soul, and I, with some slight reservation, made the most of it!
My hand twas still rested upon her back, and I slowly allowed it to travel upwards, watching for any sign of skittishness from my dance partner.
But she continued on chatting away, accepting smiles from me as silent answers , which was just as well, for my mind was set on other things, and any conversation requiring me too think out an answer would have intruded on my concentration, hampering me on the way of acquiring her necklace, and winning the ten quid wager!
Her long satin gown felt like heaven under my fingertips, and I was beginning to become pleasantly mesmerized by the manner in which it fluidly swished and fluttered around us as we danced. I had been waiting for an opening, when I realized that the dance music was in its final chords..
I decided I had go for it now! So I forced out a comment about one of the blokes sitting at the bar ( far from my fellow conspirator!), her eyes sought and found the gent out, then she fetchingly giggled in agreement to my observation.
Meanwhile my fingers had deftly reached up to the end of the gold chain hanging down from her necklaces clasp.
Ever so slowly I had been pulling it down, like one would a lampshade chain, and the whole affair obligingly slithered quite willingly descended on the slick backside of the smooth surface of its’ mistresses conveniently chosen gown, soon placing the clasp in my grasping fingers.
At the same time I was watching the necklace with its flickering emeralds and diamonds, from the front, as her head had been turned towards the bar. I noticed how the necklace was moving up, smoothly slithering along the sleek material of her pretty gown, praying it would not catch and draw her attention! The sparkling little beauty behaved, and gave its’ unawares mistress no fair warning!!
We twirled around and I led her to a far corner where a group of fake trees were clustered, giving me a bit of haven from the possibility of being seen making my final move!
My earlier peek had showed me that I knew the type of her necklaces’ clasp, now wedged in my fingertips, and having worked on many like it, believed this one presented no problem.
So it twas, with surprising ease given me nervousness, the out of sight clasp nicely popped opened, leaving one end of the expensive necklace laying over her shoulder, resting like a shimmery snake in the green grass, as it laid out upon her shiny green gown.
Then, in quick fashion, timing it perfectly as the song ended, I bought her willingly into a friendly hug thanking her, whilst at the same moment whisked away her necklace from around the high neckline of her satin gown, smooth as sliding a melting ice cube across the surface of a piping hot griddle! It easily slipped off, then fell safely away and was securely stowed away into a tux pocket before we had fully broke apart.
Shamelessly I smiled into her eyes. “Thank you luv, that was rather nice of you !” I told her in all sincerity. Removing my left hand from me pocket, and delicately took her green gloved one up to shake!
She looked down at our hands for one brief second, and I eyed the quite glaringly empty spot where her rather fine necklace of emeralds and diamonds had until so very recently had been dangling. Could it really be that easy I thought curiously to meself over it , briefly wondering also what would be in a real thief’s mind at successfully reaching this point!
She looked back up and smiled winningly at me as I innocently looked into her eyes. I could a bit guiltily tell she was truly clueless as to what had just transpired. She chirped back with her rich Irish brogue…” Pleasure was all mine, to be sure, kind sir, thank ye for the quite lovely dance, but now its time for a restin of weary feet ya know.” She slipped her hand, hesitantly I thought, from mine.
And with that she turned and I watched for a rather few elongated seconds as she swished her way off, almost wishing to meself that at the last minute she would notice the necklaces’ absence.
And in me mind I imagined be given a second dance as a reward for finding her lost necklace, or perhaps something even better may come of it …!
But she didn’t notice and was gone, soon melting in with the crowd on the opposite fringe of the wooden dance floor. And all my imaginings evaporated with her…
I found me heart was pounding, and I forced meself to turn away, and head back before any undue attention was given to me, THERE standing there like a loon with the lady’s still warm necklace in me jackets’ pocket! Some thief! We hadn’t even exchanged names, which would have been a quite natural thing to do if one was trying not to appear doing anything out of the ordinary! It’s a wonder she hadn’t noticed and start to wonder… Maybe she was? And I pictured how she had played with the necklace as I had asked her to dance. Blimey, I wasn’t out of the woods yet, was I!.
I made me way quickly to my newly made mate at the bar , intending to collect me winnings.
“That was easy!” I lied as I regained my seat and took a long sip of me drink, trying to appear calm..
“Codswallop” He said unhappily, not bothering to reach for his billfold! “ Knew the twit was gullible, but not that stupid, she never cought on , did she now?”
“Apparently not.” I admitted. “ But it does prove true what I was saying earlier, and if a rank armature like me could pull it off, then just think about what a regular thief could do, rather proved me point, don’t it now!”
“Its not Cricket guv.” Was his response, and he drained his glass and set it down sharply
He singled to the Barkeep by fidgeting with his empty glass, ordering another. Just for himself, apparently buying others a drink was not in this Blokes mindset, as well as paying off his depts.!
“Bye the bye, what do you do now with her necklace guv?” He asked accusingly, looking down at his fresh drink. “Or are you one of them thieves…!?”
“Not hardly sir, I’ll turn it over to security at the door, found it just laying here on the floor don’tcha know sir…” I mimicked.
Then ,with a co-conspirator’s smile, I lied again.. “Like I said me lad, it’s a cheap bit of rhinestones! Otherwise I probably would have been too nervous to accomplish it!”
He hesitated, I could see he was stalling about something, and I rather guessed it was over paying out , on the wager he had lost, which I had hinted at!
Not surprisingly, he avoided my hint, by asking one of his own..“ You think anyone can do what you just did guv?”
“Certainly mate” I said, “Look, she hasn’t even caught on!”
We both looked over at the lady in green. She had reappeared, joining a group at the far end, and no one being actually aware of anything amiss, let alone her own innocent self! Though I had to admit that I found the necklace’s absence from around her throat quite a glaring concern… But I remained calm about it ! The longer she took to notice, the less likely she would connect its loss with our dance, I reasoned with meself, almost feeling into the part of a suave jewel thief one see’s acting out on the telly…!
Turning to my co-conspirator, I said, half to convince me self, “I tell you lad, women think their jewels are safe whilst being worn. The last thought any of em would suspect is that someone can lift their jewels off and be away..! That’s my theory on how thieves with light fingers could operate on in my humble, uneducated opinion, and manage to get away jewels for keeps, not just to win ten quid on a bet!”.
I could tell that something was churning about in my now, quite liquored, friend’s narrow mind.
He turned his eyes away from the lady in shiny green gown, .. “Okay guv, You got away with it, but would youn be willing to double your winnings that It could be done again by you, say what?”
“Tell you what lad” I said turning the heat up on the situation. “ Lets make it more interesting, raise the ante to fifty on you trying it yourself next, victim of your choosing, and I will double it if you come clean away?!”
He picked up his drink, taking thoughtful sips, still studying my face, as his mind continued churning things about… “Actually guv, 100, two to one , that how sure you are I could do it? “
I whistled softly under me breath for emphasis, ”That’s about all I have !” I replied, appearing a bit hesitant.
“Com’on Guv, a rich jeweler like yourself!” He nudged me again, and let out a snide cackle, the cigarette still dangling from a sneering lip.
“Anyting but rich mate, but you are on!” I pulled out my notecase and counted out £ 100 in a pile, letting him see the thick wad of notes remaining ! “ Yours I said, if you dare try and are successful!”
And I shook is hand, watching a rather foxy grin spread all over his weasley face ,he openly drooled over the healthy pile of pound notes, his sodden cigarette bouncing up and down quite vigorously in his pursed lips.
Not a good poker player, are ye lad I thought to meself, keeping my face in an easy grin that no way betrayed what I was thinking !
I continued on..
“Whom do you have in mind?” I asked looking around with a conspirator’s aire?”
Soon I spied a rather easy mark of a gangly young lass, admirably wearin a tawny coloured taffeta gown, her tightly worn frock appearing as slick an easy a material to slip away jewelry off of as the green gown my victim was wearing so winningly! And this lass was wearing a simple, longish string of polished pearls, fastened with an uncomplicated hook –in-eye clasp!
I nodded his attention over in her direction, drawing his eyes from the money pile! “That fetchin lass over there in brown, one with them pearls, looks to be an easy enough one, dontcha think?”
He shook his head no, “ Nah, I think that blokes ‘er husband , and he looks a rather nasty git!” As he said this, his now drooping eyes had sought out and been staring at someone else.
“There, that lass in blue near to her!” he smirked, “the one dancing with the prat in white!”
I looked over, and acted as if I had just noticed her, though it had been pretty obvious that she was the one my ‘friend’ had had his watchful eye on all evening. I had just wrote it down to a rather jealous infatuation of a stranger .
She was a diminutive lass, rather provocatively wearin a short sky brite blue dress of sleeky silk, tightly outlining her not too un eye pleasing figure.
She was also openly sporting a nice collection of diamonds!
Authentic diamonds consisting, of a rather eye catching bib like, 3 tiered blazingly rippling necklace with matching earrings and bracelet, all glittering and sparkling with priceless prickles of colourful fire as she moved about. She also was wearing a vulgarly large diamond on her pinky, but all her other fingers were bare.
I kept mum about her jewels being risky real, and I wished him good luck, whilst appearing somewhat doubtful he could pull it off.
Because, for one, mine at least obligingly had her necklace laid entirely along the collar of her gown, but this one in blue had a ruffled scooped collar, her necklace laid out above totally on the bare skin of her throat!
Granted the skin glistened with a bit of sweat, which may make it a bit more doable, but mine had been entirely resting upon her green gown, never touching her warm flesh with it’s cooler gems!
This one, I wouldn’t have picked her for a first attempt! Not even a second or third attempt. It would take a master thief ( if they actually existed) to lift away that necklace off from a girl dressed as such! And in spite of all my assurances to my drinking mate, he was no master at anything, even sober, the caddish prig..!
That money may be as good as mine, if I could pry his hands from it!!
But, in the seconds that me mind played this out, he had quickly gotten up and beelined to her, cutting in abruptly and sending her dance partner wearing the unfortunate white tux, scuttling off.
Subtly , not! I thought, bull in a china shop that one!
I watched with wonder as they danced, the smoke from his limp dangling cigarette blowing hazy smoke into her face, and she scrunched her nose unhappily each time he did so.
He made her dance close, and had wrapped one hand, snake like, up and around her bare shoulder, his lips whispering close in her ears. She looked rather like a skittish colt, but surprisingly appeared accepting of her unfortunate fate of a dance partner.
But, by Jove, despite all his cheekiness , lack of sophistication and his victims unease, the twit actually started to pull it off!
His hand travelled up along her backside until it reached flesh and gruffly trying to pry open her necklaces jeweled clasp.
I really don’t know how she never felt it.
But, apparently, she didn’t and before one could blink (or wince), he had the jeweled clasp worked opened and had pulled the glittering necklace of diamonds up and over her shoulder!
His backside was now to me, and I watched the necklace, like a shimmering waterfall, drip dangling down from his fist behind her, its glittering diamonds back-dropped nicely by the blue coloured slick material of her dress.. Surprisingly, no one else saw it in the seconds before he managed to stow it roughly away in a side jacket pocket !
I watched him turn her around in his arms until he was able to make eye contact with me, and I saw him give me quite the ‘thumbs up’ look of triumph.
He then abruptly left her ,not even botherin to finish the song even, the twit was that much in haste!
And in that haste to make it back to the money pile, pretty much plowed over the green gowned lass, whose purloined necklace was now residing in my pocket! I reached into that pocket and reassuringly felt that necklace with me fingers as I watched.
Now, so abrupt was the encounter on the dance floor, that the poor lass’s glasses were knocked off, and she stumbled against him as she bent down to retrieve them.. He pushed her unsteady figure aside, as she looked up to him for unoffered assistance, causing her to fall onto her knees. As others came to her rescue, he walked away without a backwards glance, and came over to me, smirking widely with a pouncy, self-satisfied look upon his ( rather punch able at that point ) smug face.
Pay it up lad he said with a rather churlish grin… and I uneasily picked up the thick pile of notes and handed it to him. Than pulling out my notecase, extracted another £ 100 and handed it over also.
Apparently, he had all but forgotten the tenner he owed me for my venturous efforts earlier, but I let that sleeping dog lay quiet like.
“Nicely done.” old chap I freely lied , “Don’t forget to turn it in, im sure the lady will eventually be a missing that pretty piece.”
“No worries guv, she’ll get it back in due course!” and he slapped me on the backside as he gleefully counted my £ 200 worth of pound notes, looking all the world like a crafty cat who had eaten the gilded canary!
He was so sure of imself during the whole endeavor that I suppose warning bells should have been going off like gangbusters , but I gave no outward sign, my demeanor remaining icy calm, not an easy trick I will say at that place and time!.
I Just causally rose, and shaking his greasy, sweaty palm ( the one not tightly holding me money), lied again by sayin “ Smartly played”, and in turning, Saw that the diminutive lass in blue was gone from the scene, and so also missing appeared to be my lass in green with the thick glasses.
“Pity.” , I said to meself, would have liked to have ad a final look over at her, and her fine green clad figure , lit under those dance floor lights one last time…!
So, I just continued slinking on me way, walked dispassionately off to the far side of the enormous chamber, losing me self in quick fashion back amongst the throngs of gaily dressed, well liquored, unkowin partiers!
I was meaning to leave the premises via a back exit with its patio that led into the hedges surrounding the gardens.
As I went , I passed a non-caring security type on me way.
I did not bother to shatter his bliss him by stopping to hand over a lady’s emerald necklace and taking the time trying to explain how It happened to be in my possession. So with a nod, I just walked casually by, a bloke with nothing to hide by all outward appearances. That was me..
As I went outside, I felt the fresh breeze hit me face, and I breathed it deeply in, finally feeling free of all worries.
The end
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Epilogue ( For clarity ) ….
I headed directly through the gated opening in the hedges, my final objective was reaching to the far side exit of the lengthy garden that led off to the place where my red touring auto was parked.
A bit of a walk, but amongst other things, I always liked my bit of exercise.
I made my way, slowing down a tad and admiring the flowers and rather ornate fountains that made up this hedged in, proper little English garden.
I had one at home behind the cottage, but nothing on this scale, just a brick path amongst some moss rose and lilies, with a rather ancient wrought iron bench overlooking a small stone built pond in its centre.
I found meself automatically reaching for me pipe and pouch, figuring to contemplate with a long smoke as I walked. But immediately though the better of it, time was, after all, still decidedly of the essence.
Soon after I reached my objective, an turned to look behind me, no one else was about! I breathed a sigh of relief, it really was over !
I turned and exited through the back gate,
Suddenly, I was made aware of the sound of a quick swish of something silky, and before I could turn about, a very feminine set of fingers gently grasped my arm. For the briefest parts of a second my mind pictures the young lass in sky blue.
“Ta, my love, I’m here!” a soft voice with a lilting accent whispered cheerily behind me.
I turned and looked again into those rapturing hazel eyes, prettily magnified by her heavy black glasses.
“Ta, here you are indeed !” I enthusiastically agreed, and pulled her up against me, hugging again into her sweet figure, my hands , openly this time, relishing in the splendid feel of her luxuriously soft, shimmery green satin gown, and the warm cuddling figure it encased!!
“Apparently, some turd stole me necklace !” she whispered playfully in my ear, “ ‘ere now! By chance would ya know who the jester is laddie?!”
We broke apart, and as she stood there facing me with a rather smugly coy look about her, one hand on her chest, the other playing along her gowns barren neckline. I gave her ravishing figure a quick once over before my eyes finally coming to rest once again on the empty neckline of her shiny green coloured gown.
“Indeed, I do “ I admitted, patting me tux outer pocket!
She gazed at me as I admitted my sin, a rather lusting look I knew, and melted for over oh so many times past.
Nice to know that feelings were still strong between us after a five year partnership before being married, and now a full 10 years strongly lost in a wedded bliss. And what a lovely bride she had been… and still is for all that matters….!
I think her thoughts were going on about the same lines as mine, and may have led to us being rather a bit naughty right there an then…. But!
But, shaking our heads clear, we both peeked back at the empty gardens, then we looked each other directly in the eyes, and chuckling out loud together , proclaimed in unison, “Let’s get going!”
We forthwith went to the auto, and I helped her in being seated inside our small red coloured touring convertible.
Once she had slithered down, pulled in the loose ends of her long green gown, and nestled into the warm black leather of the seat, I closed her door. I than promptly got in on the right, and fired up the engine into life , and pulled off, leaving the place agreeably, as they say in the olde movies, in our dust..
About a mile down the road I looked up in the rear mirror, no one was following, but then, really why should they?
“Luv, we may actually have gotten away with this one!” I said cheekily.
I turned to my wife and she pulled herself from deep thoughts and smiled winningly, not breaking her gaze from the curving road ahead.
Hush lad, don’t go an spoil this luck.” She tenderly chided.
Her green gloved hands, which had been clasped upon her gown’s shiny lap , opened a little and I peaked at the wild glistening of the 3 tiered bibbed necklace of quite genuine diamonds that lay nestled in her gloved palms.
Whistling, I asked…“I assume that these are from the gents tux pocket ?”
“ Quite she said, and a rather easy pick it twas !”, “ Rather a rude ‘un wasn’t he!” She added, straightening her glasses in remembrance..
“ Yes, most certaintly, the self-centered wealthy young twit ! I said, then added “Absolutely agree on that subject !!”
“It was a good plan!” I continued, “Played out just as you said it would, dearest !”
“Happy out!” My wife agreed, “ when you pointed out her diamonds, I knew that the spoiled missey’s necklace was the best take there by far of the jewels stinglingly being worn by any of the other ladies! And Bob’s me uncle if those weren’t her maters anyways!“
“ Umm I said , possibly a bit too modern a setting for her mother, maybe a filthy rich admirer behind the curtains, so to speak..?”
“Could be luv” she answered studying the brite necklace as it lay piled in her palm, “ but moer’in ah disgustingly rich one than filthy he would be at that !”
Me pretty wife went on… “But, of course the fly in the ointment, was missey’s shadowing brother watching her like a hawk from that barstool! The poor thing couldn’t enjoy herself properly, let alone wander off anywhere alone where a person like m’self could be expected to acquire a bit of them jewels in a proper fashion!!”
Yes I agreed, and she wasn’t drinking, and didn’t appear to be needin to use a powder room, I sighed, so it was all up to me!”
She looked at me, rather meekly.. “So, what better way than to have her brother take them, and obligingly deliver them to us?”
“ I know luv…” I replied … “ at first I was against the idea, especially since it placed me in the spot light!” . I gave her a brief glance…”You, after all my lovely one, are the actress in the family !”
My wife laid a hand upon my shoulder, with a gentle squeeze… “ I was knowin you could do it luv, and the gambit was well worth its outcome if successful, which so far, it has!” She said, basically apologizing for placing me in such unfamiliar waters…
“And it only cost did a mere 200 quid I added triumphantly, for we both knew what the value of those diamonds would mean to the year’s family income!” Letting her also know at the same time there were no hard feelings over anything.. For, as I was to admit to her later in the sanctity of our lovers tryst, it had been rather a fresh spot of thrilling fun!!
My wife squeezed my shoulder quite in happy fashion.. “I think we are done for the weekend my luv, perhaps we should head on towards for home now ?“
“What about the black tie tomorrow night at the regents’castle then Luv?” I asked half curious, referring to the rest of our plans for the outing. “Could do with a few gems other than diamonds to work with.?
“And I thought you still were a wanting the opportunity to play out the ‘Damsel in Distress’ routine we’ve been working on ?”
I stole over a glance as I said this, half hoping I could change her mind and be game for it.
She slipped her arm in mine and drawing her sweet self close to me murmuring, purposefully deepening her rich Irish brogue, purrngly said ..”I think we have done a rather good bit of business for this trip laddie!”
“Not often we have a big score this early! And its more’in enough laddy of mine, that we can afford to skip over the other things for now? New routines can wait, Dontcha agree wit me now m’ lad?” She ended with a hopeful beckoning sorta look , a winning weapon that most wives are quite adept at using from their wily arsenal of emotional tugs….
As me wife looked up into my eyes before continuing , I automatically smiled, never being one to resist that type of bait….
“That’s it than, I can see you agree, Darling, On Home to Badger’s Drift it is now!”
“And If you be wanint any more jewels stolen, you can continue to practice on me!” she had leaned up and over, as she whispered cheekily, her lustily breath tickling my ear as a long jeweled earring intentionally was allowed to hit me alongside a cheek.…!!!
“ OK, Let’s not press our luck on , correct me fine lass!” I stated in agreement…and , feeling a familiar tingling start down between me legs, responded by letting my foot push the accelerator, causing the purring old engine to rev it up and add a bit of speed to our journey!
I stole a glance upon the glistening gems piled up in her lap, as they rested majestically upon thier sleek bed of green. The taunting little darlings !
“Some nice dimonded set rings and earrings coming out of that lot, and that’s pure silver they’re setting in if I’m guessin right, when all has been said and done, we should find a right nice little nest egg ,my sweet!” I appraisingly observed.
“And a wee diamond bracelet for me efforts, luv?” Asked meekly the sole apple of my eye with a pleasingly euphoric grin… “ I can use it as part of the Damsel in Distress act you are so eager to get on with!” She promised eagerly to seal the deal.
I happily nodded my acquiesce.
I then heard me wife beside me exhale a long , deep breath while reaching up and pulling down the visor and glanced at herself into the mirror.
I than heard her say..” Have a watch for passer byes willa luv?”
From the corner of me eye I saw her gently lift up the diamonded necklace and fasten it around her throat, letting it dangle down whilst admiring the rather dazzling, quite eye catching results.
In a far off, wistful voice she said, “I guess I do now feel it’s a bit of a waste to have bothered being this dressed up for an evening and not stopping anywhere else?”
I felt a sudden rise as I anticipated where her thoughts may be leading upon at the moment “
“ Ya know mw love, we are going to be passing that muggy little bar on the wharf, the one we had a stop in on our last excursion, and…” She let her voice trail off, and I knew it was for me to continue.
“Care to stop in again for a final drink an our way home ?” I asked hoping I was right on the subject. “ And you can minx the natives with your finery..? Sounds like a plan me dearest!” I added, with a wholehearted voice of agreement
“Indeed sir, stop in for a bit of sup, a nip , then you can have a pull at your pipe and tell me how pretty I look!” She said all this whilst still watching the reflection of the diamonds in the newly acquired necklace screaming out their flickering brilliance in the mirror....
“A Jewel in the rough indeed you will be in there amongst the rather dicey patrons at the Poet and the Peasant Pub.” I said.
Brilliant she said, leaning into me, giving me an eyeful down the front of her rather perked features, now again tightly outlined the green satin gown as she grasped me arm!
My eyes also took in the emblazoned diamonds dripping down from her throat , my eyes winced at the brilliant fiery sparkles of the magnificent necklace! From a distance they had stood out exquisitely from around the lass in blue’s throat, but up this close they were almost too bloody dazzling !
I knew full well along what lines my wife was half fancifully conniving about deep in her desires… And wearing that squinty necklace out was at the center of them !!
I chuckled , knowing we both knew it would be a folly on, oh so many levels, to flaunt about any jewels my wife and I had managed ‘acquiring’ in such devious ways whilst out and about on our occasional jaunts we made into the publics realm for such related purposes..!”
But I decided to make sure by saying… “But you know my sweet , best not wear those diamonds…
“Righto party pooper!” she teased, “I really wasn’t planning on bragging them about….You recall why dontcha now.!”
Breaking away she slipped back into her seat, with a deep sigh of rememberance, before contemplating somberly with a shiver..
“But then, ending an evening in me pretty dress by being lured out and waylaid in a back alleyway by those thievin ruffians once in me life was enough, a second time may spoil the currant mood a bit anyhow, not to mention the loss of these pretties you worked so hard for, husband of mine!!”
Out of the corner of an eye I had watched her unhappily undo the fiery necklace and place it back into her smooth lap, and then, as she spoke, opening the cars glove case.
My wife reached in and popped open a small secret panel in the back. Pulling out a small black velvet pouch, she carefully poured the sparkling necklace inside, then placed the plump pouch back inside the hidden niche, and securely closed the secret panel. I heard her sigh unhappily as she did so….. and knew her mind was heading into a darker corner of past experiences…
“Tell you what me luv, how bouts I make a close copy in emerald rhinestone of that necklace and matching earrings, if you wish, and we can add it to your Damsel In Distress props, along with your new bracelet?”
“Oh My Good Lord Luv, would you!” she practically shrieked grasping my arm in delight. “ Then once you have ready I will show you some new ideas to the damsel routine I thought off during tonight’s adventure !!”
“Capital!” I said grinning , knowing I had made some rather nice pointers with me lass , and it was always a lark working the bugs out of our routines together!
Finally Letting go of me arm, she sighed with deep heart felt enjoyment , and nestled blithely back in the leather seat, her gown rustling its song sweetly into my ears. She turned her head smiling mischievously at me, as, reaching down beside her, she brought up her emerald necklace that I had originally held hidden in me pocket.
“These will do the trick just as well anyways. “ she said, looking into the mirror with a smirk as she put them back on in the position they had started out the day place there by me.. “ Shouldn’t have married a pickpocket luv, let it be a lesson to ya, she smirked as she adjusted and admired the effect glittering emeralds draped around her neck.
Then my wife flipped back up the vanity mirror and turned happily to face me.
“So tis agreed all around then! Stopping at the Poet and the Peasant pub for supper and a nipper, than its off home to the Drift we go !“ She exclaimed this merrily, and with that she happily pulled off from their perch, the owlish glasses she had been disguisedly wearing and carelessly flipped them into the back jump seat.
Then,reaching up into her hair , undid her matching twin emerald clips (placing them with a smirk into my now empty tux jackets pocket),and pulled off her shoulder length black wig, allowing her longish hair, the natural colour of sunset cerise, to freely cascade down from its long held ,tight bindings of a bun… The wig soon joined in with the discarded glasses.
Again exhaling a proper sigh of satisfaction, I heard her promise , while watching the road ahead, “Once home We can then have a proper dance in celebration!”
“In the garden I asked hopefully?”
“ Yes you turd, in the garden…then ! But I stay fully dressed in me gown, this time right lad!? It’ll still possibly be twilight and passing neighbors may well see me prancing about in nuthin but a slinky whisp of a slip if you had your way !”
“Not daylight forever my sweet I said with conviction, and I feel a long dance… and snifter of brandy are in order.…!”
“And a bit more practice lifting me necklace, after your rather amateurish attempt tonight You could use it!” she sweetly chided, her hand reaching up and squeezing my arm. “But no worries, with my training I will make a proper thief of you yet luv! Just think of the possibilities…. !”
I could tell her mind was going somewhere with and I just waited for it…..
She turned towards the passenger’s window, looking out at the passing countryside….
“Remember Luv, later that same frightful night, the blonde tart in the green and black with the randy boyfriend? I sweetly lifted her pretty bracelet, but I still remember how close I twas to that rather decadent pendent she was flaunting about in everyone’s mug that night. What I would have given to ave had the opportunity to take it away with us! But what if you could have ad a dance wit her, with my skills. That necklace would have been peeled off that sully miss’s shiny blouse with no bother atoll!”
“I don’t know about that, my lover, after all being a plain shoppe jeweler is quite exciting in itself, wouldn’t you agree!” I wryly retorted, teasingly…..
Than added an afterthought….
“But than again , why should you always be the one havin all the fun my lass!”
“Always the spotter and never the Grooms man probably could make one a bit of a bore “
I stole a grinning glance at her, and she turned to face me while playfully sticking out her tongue at me …. “
Words well-spoken my kind, thievin sir !” she then brightly teased, subtly poking me in the ribs, while giving me the most wicked of instigative winks!!
“We’ll have you slippin off me necklaces, bracelet , brooches and such in no time, won’t we now.!” She said britley into the mirror . She had retrieved an old camels hair brush from the autos compartment and was working on her longish red hair, bathed as it was caught the sunlight, making things ready.
I steadfastly put my eyes fully back on the road. “ I assume you don’t mean just slipping ‘em off while dancing?” I said mysteriously, not bothering at that time to explain the rather interestingly enticing paths of thoughts her statement had thrust in me imagination.”
A long ,knowingly enduring sigh, was all I received in form of an answer from my pretty lass , blissfully squirming about in the seat beside me, her long gown whispering its silken murmer!
We sped off, soon putting many miles between us and the soon to be quite surprised, rather mangy cigarette slobbering, empty pocketed blighter !
The snarky brother to the now strikingly bare necked lass in the blue silk dress , whose extravagant necklace would soon appear on a flyer announcing yet another mysterious vanishing of a ladies jewels!!! ….
Good riddance to ‘em, I said under me breath and turning off the main road, drove on down towards the harbor front.
Fini….
For now
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Always looking for fresh plots to place my characters in. If an idea comes to mind using this husband and wife team, by all means , drop a line. Or better yet, every permission given to steal them for a story and photo op of your own!
All that is asked is that any efforts be placed in our group to receive proper acknowledgements !