Both Ben and Tom, the two thieves who “adopt” Ren from the orphanage, had lived far differently before they became thieves. Ren becomes curious about Tom’s background when he sees Tom’s writing on some patent medicine bottle labels (chapter 11). When he asks why his handwriting is so good, he finds out that Tom used to be a teacher. The story Tom tells concerns his friendship with another man, Christian. The problem began when both men fell in love with the same woman. Although she chose the wealthier Christian, she also continued her romance with Tom. In a confrontation between the two men when Tom was drunk, Christian became so distraught that he threatened suicide. Thinking that he was bluffing, Tom urged him to shoot himself, which he did. Overcome by guilt, Tom left the town.
In the book "The Good Thief" by Hannah Tinti, a boy is adopted by a couple of thieves and taught to work within a life of crime. One of the main characters that is highlighted is, Tom. Tom is an alcoholic, and he lives a life of crime, but alongside his criminal endeavors, he has worked in the realm of sales.
Tom and his partners sell opium tonics. They claim that it can help unruly children behave. This is done through nefarious means, with the labels being replaced from real products. This is a sales position, and Tinti labels the crew as "confidence men", selling through tonics to help with mood enhancement and changes for children. Of course, these tonics are a reference to traveling salesman selling "snake oil" in the United States during similar time frames that the book highlights.
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