Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-14

influenced me in my conclusion; and
whether wise ones or not, in themselves,
they were the basis Of my judgment So
it was not intuition. +,,t
The train moved slowly away, and
presently we plunged into the black
darkness of that long and gloomy tunnel
Shall ] ever forget it2
All my. senses we're keenly on the
alert | drew of my gloves to be pre-
pared for action, if / should be called on.
! had barely done so whenI felt move
ment of the hand aud arm Of my com
paaion i
Instantly / put out my hand; it
touched his, he made motion to draw
it away; but I grasped it firmly by the
wrist, and with the other hand en-
deavored TO draw my Qocket-book from
his clutch, but he would not yield IT,. 1
felt as strong as tigress in that exciting
moment, and clung with both my hands
to his, determined to scream for help II
he tried to leave the seat, gs
Oh, how slowly the train seemed to
drag .on through that nterminable tpn-
nell Would the light aecer Gomez
At length the light did come. | turned
my eyes on the man with look that
meant should pierce him to the quick.
He returned my gaze with interest, y
We'll, SirI" said l. t,rs
We'll, Madam r. he rejoiued, !, /,
My pocket book, if you please, Sir, =
/ uttered, with1wltheti ng emphasis.
Your pocket. book2'
s'"Yes, sir" and again 1 endeavored
to drsw it from his'grasp,
Gently, " said he; i believe the
pocket book is my own.l5 y. "a - b
Why | did not faint | hardly know.
For it was indeed true the pocket book
he held in his hand was not mine. 3iF
i dropped his hand quickly, aud as
quickly thrust my own into my pocket
| found my portmonnaie was safe,
"Oh, sirl" | cried, in unspeakable
chagrin; what can say to yon u
mo needio say anything madam" f"
said he, id the. kind tones of true gem
tlemen, :" perceive the nature of your
mistake. You thought me pickpocket
1t is uncomplimentary," he smiled, but
not inexcnsable." = "a t's' L'F
The remainder of the day ride was a
most delightful one Weeks Of ordinary
aequaintanceship in society could hardly
have placed us on a more confidential
footing than did this ridiculous blunder
of mine. was determined TO show my
companion that !, had a trusting faith in
his true gentlemanliness, all the more
unreserved because of the base suspicion
| had entertained and did show IT.
We chatted all day long He was GO
ing to Avon too and it seemed he
knew brother Fred quite well, ina busi !.
ness way, having met him in Wall street.
He gave me his business card, by which l
saw that his name was William Baird.
When he surrendered me into my
mothers hands at Avon, he said, with a
droll look
Your daughter came near having her
pocket picked, Mrs. Howard. Hence
our acquaintance.
Then had to tell the story and, not
to conceal any part of my folly, | did
not even omit to mention the reasons
which had influenced me in believing
Mr. Baird to be piekpocket t.u1 ~
"The rings wear, Miss Howard, said
Mr. Baird, do look a little hashy per-
haps--' a -s De-"
toh, no, said !, three such plain
gold rings as those. .I /,
| " Bot they are each gifts from valued
friends, and worn for their sake not be
canse | have taste for such ornar
Inents. ai .ftf dI'
Well, this is the story of my adventure
last June, and il was enough to last me
a lifetime; for "my pickpocket" (ss ]
often call HIM stole my heart, and we
are to be married in thefall | need not
explain who is to be ny, travelling com
panion next month in the ride to our
summer resort. tAf.