The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-01

| voluntarily SLictCiicu OUt lily WIlSLS IOr
| the expected handouts. IL
"'Why, what in the world is the matter
with you, Smith, asked familiar voice !;
and with an inexprcssible sense of relief,
perceived that 1t was not policeman, but
| an old acquaintance.
"'Good heavens, Spcncer!' exclaimed,
| frantically clutchng his hand, Il have got
| myself into the most deplorable scrape.
WI you give me your advice, and assist me
to get out OF it!'
"'What kind of scrape ?-gping to have
| n note protested, or anything Of that kind !?
I'm little short myself to-day but sup
pose might make a raise, If 1t isn't too
heavy
"No; it's worse than that; a thousand
times worse
"Worse than that Why, what in the
name Of wonder can be worse that pro-
tcst?' ~
"'Spence,' said, blushing clear to the
tips of my ears with sha me and confusion,
y have got another mans wallet lK my
pocket. Thought to play good joke upon
| Dick Jones, but found, when too late, that
had picked the pocket Of All ell tire stran-
ger. Now, what shall do"
"'Why, return it, of course replied
Spencer, coldly.- bestowing upon me q
glance OF contempt.
L
| There are couple of policemen watching
the door, and I cannot pass them without
| being detected
It's very awkward affair, certainly
very AWKWARD he returned, glancing un-
easily toward the door. For my part, I
don't see how you are to get out of it. l
don't know as there is anything I can do,
and rs matters will probably take serious
turn. you must be aware that am render
| ing myself liable to suspicion by stopping
here talking with you. So good morning,
Mr.. Smith. l wish you well, and out of
tyour trouble
"'For heavens sake, SpencerH l eX-
claimed, observing his look of contempt
and suspicion. fyou don't suppose that l
am guilty Of this thing that did it inten-
tionally and for the purpose Of robbing the
man.
''Why, really, Smith, do not wish to
be either judge or jury; but it does look
somewhat singular that you should pick any
mans pocket Of large sum of money, who
ther you happened to know him or not.
was. though must confess cannot see the
point.
| 49, At all events, you'll not betray me p
asked. i'll an imploring tone.
| No, he replied, EPll not betray you
| Then, with severe look, he added THAT
| is. not if you follow up your present inten-
| tion of restoring the property And he
turned and LETT the ROOM.
"'Good heavens, | am lost y nuttered,
while the perspiration poured down my
face. He believes me guilty, and so will
everybody else. What can 1 do! l shall
never be able to face these confounded
policemen. Without doubt i shall pass this
| very night within the walls of Jail, in
company with other telons. What will my
friends, and, above all, what will Maria
think when she learns that am a common
| pickpockct and thlef?'
almost flinting from excess Of emotion,
| leaned against pillar and gazed vacantly
about me. Change hour was nearly over,
and the crowd that had thronged the hall
was rapidly thinning out. In few minutes
there would be scarcely dozen persons
present, when the officers would have no
difficulty in trrreting me out. | strove to
nerve myself for the event that was impend-
| ing by walking rapidly back and forth
across the hall. Presently some one entered
the door it was Dick Jones.
| ''' Dick = almost screamed, beckoning
him toward me.
"'Why, Bob = he exclaimed, as he came
toward Inc and graspcd my hand, what is
the matter: You look as if you had got
the yellow fever. Are you sick"
"Ies: very sick,' l replied; and with
a sense Of the deepest humiliation, | re-
conntcd the circumstances. Dick heard me
to the end in silence, looking very grave.
"'Sure you do not think / intended any
evl?' | calculated, in an agony of spirit,
as he continued to gaze upon the floor, ST.
lent and thoughtful.
"No, Bob he returned very gravcly :;
| knowing, Is | do, your unfortunate pro-
pensity, / cannot but believe your state
mcnt, though the case certainly looks bad,
and fear il would be difficult to convince
strangers Of your innocence
"'But you will do something for me,
won't you, Dick?' | said.
"'Why, yes; I'll do all l can,' he re-
piled. 'What is the name of the gentle
man you plundered? l will 60 to him and
see what sort Of an arrangement l Can
make. We shall have to do it quick, too,
for ! see the officers are watching us.
What's the name?'
"|I have not the slightest idea who he
was. l shall have to examine the wallet to
discover that. DO you suppose / can do so
without being observed?'
"'Well, you will have to take that risk,
Ianyway. Go into that corner and examine.
will stand before you to prevent notice
as much as possible. BE spry, now, for
there's no time to lose
"With trembling fingers drew the ac-
cursed wallet from my pocket, and read the
name upon the clasp.
""It belongs to jenkins, of South street,
I whispered to Dick.
"sThe deuce it does!' he replied; then
Pm afraid we shall have some difficulty in
arranging the business, for he has the repu-
tation of being q stern, hard man to deal
| with, However, wait where you are, and
I will go and see what can be done. And I
say, Bob he continued, lowering G his voice,
if ANYTHING should happen before l get
back, win come up to the Tombs and see
YOU this evening or in the morning. and
fastened out Of the hall.
| "People may talk of shipwrecks and dis
! asters at sea, OF the solemn hour before a
battle, or the breathiess interval before the
| word to fire is given i'll a duel; but I'll be
hanged if believe | should suffer one-hun-
dredth part so much in any one of those
situations rs I did for half an hour after
proaching, and the crowd rapidly dispersed,
| until there were scarcely twenty people IN
the hall. That | might not render myself
about with an evident want of purpose, /
bent over desk and pretended TO be read
ing, while l kept my eyes upon the door,
watching and dreading the entrance of the
formidable detectives. 0, how long seemed
the minutes that l stood there waiting and
trembling, hoping every minute to see Dick
returning, and yet conscious that he had
not been gone half long enough to- accom-
plsh anything!
AT length, as [ turned my eyes for the
hundredth time toward the door, saw the
officers come in and walk up the room
~