Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-02-14

card Oh no, not bit of it and the
conductor winkcd at me portcntously. tt
signify that his last remark was meant fo
'sarkasum.'
But have not even money left to pay
my fare with urged the young lady.
| Half dozen purses were ont at once
such was the influence Of beauty in dis
tress.
Never mind the fare, Miss answered
the conductor. affably, as he mounted t.
his perch "A tanner won't either breal
the Co., or make its fortune. Yod go the
policc-that's what you've got to do. All
right, Joey; go ahead.
The bus drove away, leaving the youn
lady standing in the curb She put dowr
her vail to hide her eyes, and was turning
sadly away when our conductor leaped
ninbly down, ran back to her, said few
words, and was on his perch again in less
than two minutes. Thought it best to
give the poor young creature my number,
he remarked contidentially to me, and the
address of our secretary; in case of any
thing turning up. But that amt likely
you know. sir. All, it was that fishylook-
ing cove. you may depend upon it.
| | was detained in the City till five
o'clock. At that hour set off westward,
with the intention of walking home
Rain had ceased hours ago. and fresh
breeze was now blowing; over the mur'
KEY CITY roofs the mooI was rising in an
uncloudcd sky, and all the sho, were
ablaze with light. NY rooms were in a
street leading out of Oxford Stree but
having one or two calls to make, l chose
this evening to go round by way OF tho
Strand and Charing Gross. My calls al
made, | turned up St. Martins Lane as
my nearest way home, and was walking
carelessly along that classic thoroughfart
when. whom should | see little way il
front of me, staring inten,Iy into the win
dow of a jewelers. shop. but the 'iishy look
ing cove of my friend the conductor!
recognized him in moment, having takel
particular notice of him while he was IN!
fellow passenger in the morning. No
that there was any thing eithe: in his ap
pearance or manners that made mo susplc
ous of his honesty. but rather that he of
fcred such marked contrast to the re
spectacle, we'll -to-do looking City mel
who made up the rest of the passengers
He was IL thin, frouzv, dsrepu.able looking
man. dressed in suit Of rusty black, will
a hat and hoots that had been careful,
.doctorcd. and might still do some fair
weather service. but which were i'll calcu
lated to stand the brunt of Il rainy day
| His mouth was that of habitual dram
drinker. lis eyes were weak and Watery
and his high -ridged aqailine nose had an III
| famed look about it suggestive OF many
deep potation. His chin had evidently mol
felt "a razor for several DAYS; and the min
ute fragments of straw and chatf which
clung to his dress, and were mixed up with
his uukempt hair. hinted at the style o
accommo .!aion to which he had been re-
duccd during the preceding night Yet
with all this. the fellow carried jaunty
little cane. which he swung to and fro as
though he had not Ia care in tEe world 4;
and he had on pair of dog-skin gloves that
would have looked stylish if they had not
been quite so dirty
But was it he v ho took the young LADY,
purse That was the question; and the
oftener ! looked at the man the more in
clined felt to indorse the opinion of the
bus conductor, A brown morocco purse,
containing fifteen aud sSpence i'll cash,
and ladv's diamond ring of the value OF
| fifty guineas-not bad mornings work
for a gentleman in reduced circumstances.
In such a case. however. all the surnlsing
in the world was of no avail. No one had
seen him take the purse, and so long as he
kept his own counsel he was ssfe from de-
lection. The grand point was to ascertain
whether he really had the ring or pawn
brokers' duplicate for it about his person.
But how to do this?
This was the problem that | kept turn
ing over and over in my mind as | cautious
" 10 lowed up my man when he went on
his way from the jewelers. shop. At the
top of the Lane he seemed to hesitate for
half a minute. then he turned to the right
and went up Long Acre. | still followed
cautiously about dozen yards III the
rear.
i will put You to simple test, my
friend, thought 'aud as you come out
Of it. so will 1 adjudse You innocent or
guilty
Ilnrrying up behind him l tapped him
lightly ON the arm. i beg your pardon.
I said but did you drop this psncil-case
Just now
lie started as touched him. and SEEM
ed for few seconds as il he could not take
in the meaning OF my question. lie look
cd at me With eyes full OF suspicion
| Whether he recognized me as one Of his
fellow passengers 10y the mornings bus
could not determine. We had halted Op-
poste a large shop. and the light from the
window shone full on my silver pencil case,
| in which. at length. when he was apparent
Is satisfied with his scrutiny ofmy face, his
glance fastened greeaily.
Packed il up, did you say !
he asked. as he began io tumble with thumb
and finger in his wais,cnat pocket.
just brhiud tou. | answered. Dat il
it's not yours | shan't bother any more
about il hat pocket il myself.
But it is mine, he put in, eagerly
.IIow stupid Of me to lose it, ] put the
pencil case in his hands without hesitation.
Il am really much obliged to you, he went
on. Tor your kiudness ia returning it. As
you grow older young gentleman. You will
lind that honesty is the exception IN this
world aud not the rule.
We'll, rm glad to have found the own
er.' said with laugh. You seem to val
ue the ease =
Il do valu, it. yonag gentleman ans
wered the old hypoerite. Less, perhaps,
from its Intrinsic worh than from the fact
that it is the sole relic lett me Of very
dear friend. Friendship ever let US cher
ish. A truly noble sentiment
Then, If you value il 50 highly. | said,
you can hardly object to stand half go OF
brandy for its recovery.
.IIaif 90 of brandy : he said. in hor-
riiied tone. Young man, young man, I'm
very much afraid
had taken out my watch, a valuable
gold lever. AZ his eye fell on it his in