The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-12-12

anu c1nuOt Qeny tn0t stole IL from MIN
an hour or two ags. Mighty honest ant
gentlemanly that IS certain! No; Pm THE,
beyond all remedy. No one would believ,
my story; indeed, Il Is so improbable, that
can scarcely credit it myself
Sat this moment . heavy hand was lait
upon my shoulder. felt the blood leay,
my face and rush back upon my heart; my
knees trembled and smotes together, and in
voluntarily gave myself up as lost.
sWhy, what in tho world is the matter
with you, Smith, asked a familiar voice
and with an inexpressible sense Of relief, ]
perceived that it was not policeman, but
On old acqaintaRce.
sGood heavens, Spencer!' / exclaimed
frantically clutching his hand; q have 60,
myself into the most deplorable scrape.-
Will you give me your advice, and assist mi
to get out of it2'
sWhat kind Of scrape?' asked Spencer
sgoing to have bill protested, or anything
OF that kind; Pm little short myself to-
day; but suppose Imight raise tho anoun'
if it isn't too heavy
no. replied; it's worse than that q
thousand times worse.'
'Worse than thatp exclaimed Spencer
sWhy, what in the name Of wonder can be
worse than protest?' .
Spencer l said, blushing clear to the
tips Of my ears with shame and confusion,
81 have got another mans wallet in my
pocket. thought to play good joke upon
Dick Jones, but found, when too late, that
! had picked the pocket of an entire strang-
er. Now, what shall do?'
why, return it, Of COURSE replied Spen-
Ger, coldly bestowing upon me glance Of
contempt.
1t is too late to do that,' replied
There are couple Of policemen watching
the door, and l cannot pass them without
being detected ~
sItss very awkward affair certainly, very
awkward,' he returned, glancing uneasily
towards the door. sFor my part, don't
know that there is anything can do; and
as matters will probably take serious turn
you must be aware that am rendering my
self liable to suspicion by stopping here and
talking with you. So good morning, Mr..
Smith, wish you we'll, and out of your
trouble.' tn +" 81 IS"
asFor heavens sake, Spencer!' l exclaim-
ed, observing his look of contempt and sus-
picion, syou don't suppose that am guilty
Of this thing-that did it Intentionally and
for the purpose of robbing the man? 2N
SWhy, really, Smith, do not wish to be
eitherjudge or jury,' said Spencer; 'but it
does look somewhat singular that you should
pick any mans pocket of large amount of
money, whether you happened to know him
or not. You say it was done for a joke;
perhaps it was, though must confess can
not see the point s.- -
Sat all events, you'll not betrny me?' l
asked in an imploring tone. ="
sNo,' he replied-sI'll not betray you.'-
Then with q severe look, he added, sthat is,
not if you follow up your present intention
of restoring the property And he turned
away and left the room. hef#
sGood heavens, Pm lost! l muttered,
while the perspiration poured down my face.
sHe believes me guilty, and SO will everybody
else. What can do? l shall never be able
to face these confounded policeman. With
out doubt shall pass this very night within
the walls of prison, in company with other
felons. What will the world think of me :?
What will my friends, and, above all, what
will Marie think when she learns that am
a common pickpocket and thief?
almost fainting from excess of emotion.
leaned against pillar and gazed vacantly
about me. 'ChaDge hour was nearly over,
and the crowd that had thronged the hall was
rapidly leaving. In few minutes there
would be scarcely dozen persons present,
when the officers would have no difficulty in
ferreting me out. strove to nerve myself
for the event that was impending by walking
rapidly backwards and forwards across the
hall. Presently some one entered the door
it was Dick Jones.
l.. Il - l. L. l.
towards me. -...
sWhy, Bobp he exclaimed, as he came to-
wards me and grasped my hand, what is the
matter? Are you unwell?' ,""
'Yes-very,' replied; and with sense
Of the deepest humiliation, l recounted the
circumstances.
Dick heard me to the end in silence, look
ing very grave.
sSurely, you do not think intended any
evil!' e. iaculated, in an agony of spirit, as
he continued to gaze upon the hoor silent and
thoughtful. .
sNo, Bob,' he returned, very gravely;
knowing, as do, your unfortunate propen-
sity, l cannot but believe your statement,
though the case certainly looks bad, and |
fear it would be difficult to convince strangers
of your innocence.
tBut you will do something for me, won't
you, Dick?' said.
'Why, yes, l'll do all can, he replied.
sWhat is the name of the gentleman you
plundered9 l will 60 to him and see what
sort of an arrangement can make we shall
have to do it quickly, too, for l see the off,
GERS are watching us. What's the name?'
sIhave not the slightest idea who he was,'
replied. Hshall have to examine the wal
let to discover that. Do you suppose l can
do so without being observed?'
well, you will have to risk that said
Jones. $50 into that corner and examine it;
l will stand before you to prevent notice as
much as possible. Be quick now, for there's
no time to lose.' #.a.
with trembling finger drew the accurs-
ed wallet from my pocket and read the name
upon the clasp.
sIt belongs to Mr.. jenkins, of South-st.,'
I whispered to Dick. 4
'The deuce it doesr he replied; then Pm
ranging tho business, for he has the reputa-
tion of being a stern, hard man to deal with.
However, wait where you are, and will 60
and see what can be doue. And,' he con-
timed, lowering his voice, IF anything
should happen before get back will come
to the police station and see you This even
ing or in the morning. lie then fastened
out of the hall. .
people may talk of shipwrecks and dis
asters at sea-of the solemn hour before 4
battle, or of the breathless interval before
the word to fire is given in duel: but I'll
be hanged if believe should suffer one
part so much in any one of those
a. l did for half an hour after
Dick left me. Dinner hour was approach
ing, and the crowd rapidly dispersed, until
there were scarcely twenty people in the hall.
That ! might not render myself unnecessari-
ly conspicuous by wandering about with an
evident want of purpose, ! bent over desk
and pretended to be reading, while l kept my
eyes upon the door, watching and dreading
the entrance of the formidable detectives.
Oh, how long seemed the minutes that
stood there waiting and trembling, hoping
every minute to see Dick returning, and yet
that he had not been gone half
long enough to accomplish anything!
sAt length, ns l turned my eyes for the
hundreth time toward the door, saw the
officers come in, and walk up the room; they
passed and repassed mo several times, and
though did not raise my eyes from the pa
per, was conscious that they were examin-