Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-08-07
BEWARE OF PIOKPOCKETs,

Beware OF pickpockets, Joshua" said
Joshua Harker's mother to her grown up
son, when that interesting. youth was about
starting to visit his aunt Betsy Baker, who
lived seventy five miles off, in the village OF
Graysburg.
''Ye'm," responded Joshua dutifully,
IN keep my eyes peeled for EN-. Guess
If they catch this child nappin they IL rise
earlier than they re used to. -
That's right, my lad [ alters knowed
that you was the snaftest of the family,
Joshua, bEt guess when you come to go
about to see things you II turn out to be
smorter' ever tho't There's the keers
comm now. Look out, and hold on to your
yallse-and don't forget to be careful of your
father S watch and don't smoke no cigars
nor drink no water without lookin' into it,
kase there was woman, I've hearn Betsy
tell about, out there who drinkt live snake.
And do try and not dirty more n two dick
eys a week it II make such hard washin
for your aunt, and she s got the rumatiz,
you know. Now look cut for your pocket
hook Tell Betsy to sead me that resate
for colorin blue, and saakin that ounce
sass-and- -lordy here they bel'' and with
kiss that made the very locomotive give
snort of amazenleRt, Mrs. Harhe er tore her
self away.
Joshua seated himself in the very middle
'ot the car-he had heard it said that there
was less danger there-and holding the val
Ese on his lap, he put one hand on his watch
md the other on his pocket book, and men
tally dehed pickpockets. He had heard SO
much about their doings in the ears, that
he thought it was impossible to use too
much precaution.
At the next station they took on a very
pretty but decidedly neIvoas young lady in
blue bonnet and pink dress. She paused
beside Joshua and asked timidly-
Is this seat engage69"
No, rot that know of, stammered Josh.
ga, blushing up to his hair. Want to set
DOWN."
Thank you,' and she sat down so grace
fully that her expansive crinoline spread en-
tlrely over Joshua's knees and valise, and
completely enveloped our hero in an ava
ianehe of founees shawl fringes, &c.
Both OF the young people seemed very
much frightened. Joshua began to finger
his pocket book nervously, shifting it from
his pocket to his coat, from thence to his
vest, and finally deposited it in his hat,
wishing at the same time that he could drop |
1t in his boot.
The young lady fidgeted, and eyed her
companion pulling her bonnet |
strings, and clutched the handle of her ret |
lcue. But after little while both seemed |
to get easier and Joshua screwed up courage !
enough to say something.
Fine day, marm
Yes; rather cold, though. y
That a fact. Cooler than it was yes
terday''
Yes, sir, but not quite so cool as it was
last winter.
No, sreel Terrible cold Friday last win
Ter, WASH there p
Awful. Was you out any ?"
Out! rather guess / was cut In a spruce
swamp driving old Buck and Broad all day.
"olly, how the frost stood on EN-.
les, think it likely
a dead silence At last, with desperate
e1ort at soeiabilhy, Joshua asked the lady
,Gclng fur?'
To Graysburg."
fog hain't! so be I. Quite contin-
geney hain't it?''
They were beginning to get better ac
99ealnted with each other Joshua now took
ais hand away from his watch and put it
round the back of the seat
.G,olng to stay there long. Miss 2?
"A a week, guess
BE you? About as long as be" re-
sponded Joshua, letting his hand rest on
WE back of her shawl, and feeling very
qfn mIen as when Deacon Jones caught him
S5ooDl9g his pet pear tree. The young lady
La, you mustn't do so, sir. 1t hain't
Proper
Id like to know what's to hender," said
Joshua snl boldly.
.,EM,ihy the folks will see u.s." she said
.. Who keers," said Joshua I'm twen-
t!-0ne Years old I've oot NV father wotob |
% % my pocket and ten dollars besides r. And
tUagettlng he had deposited his wallet in his
"al, ne felt for it in his pocket
Jerusalem =" rOared ,Joshua snrinpinr