The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-11-29

would consider the defense lame, and
shake their heads gravely at the story OF
the mistake; the judge would say that
every other pick-pocket might plead a
mistake if this was admitted; and | should
be found guilty, and every body would
exclaim, How easy the fellow got off
only three years in the State Prisonw
"With these and similar thoughts rum
ming through my head, paced back and
forth across the hall with agitated steps,
endeavoring to think of some method of
extricating myself from my unpleasant
predicament.
What the deuce am / to do% L
kept repeating to myself, as 1 fingered
the confoundcd. wallet, which felt like
lead in my pocket, and weighed much
heavier than lead upon my mind How
can get the infamous calfskin back to
its lawful owner ?" Such things have
been done we often read of similar res
titution in the papers. Let me see how
is it thieves and pick-pockets manage such
things without being discovered? All, 1
have it ? 1 exclaimed, almost aloud, in
my intense satisfaction at the idea. 'Pll
just do the thing up in neat package
and send it by mail What goose
was not to think of that before
With heart much lightened ca
gerly started to leave the hall Horror
of horrors !. At the entrance | beheld
the gentleman had robbed, engaged in
conversation with couple of policemen,
who stationed themselves at each door,
narrowly watching every person who left
or entered the hall. Words cannot ex-
press the utter hopeless despair into
which l was thrown at this terrifying
sight. Any attempt at restoring the
property under these circumstances would
be sure to be considered the effect of fear
and not of honesty. Here l was, as it
were, imprisoned with the most convin-
cling and damning proof of my guilt
about my person, and with compile of
lynx-eyed detectives barring the entrance
from which | kept as far as possible,
pretending to be absorbed in the perusal
of a paper, for was conscious my flush
ed and agitated countenance would be-
tray me at the first glance. What would
| not give to have been as free from
guilt and as much at liberty to go and
come where | choose, like other honest
men, as | was an hour before. But no
there | was, a trembling, skulking thief,
watched by the police, and liable at any
moment to be arrested, with the evidence
of my crime. o, that accursed pocket
book how searched the hall with my
eyes for some place where, unobserved, l
might hide it But an instant's thoug ght
convinced me that such a proceeding
would only render matters worse, doubt
less | was already watched, and would be
seized upon the first suspicious movement.
And suppose they do arrest me ?"
said to myself, making desperate effort
to reason myself into calmer and bold
er frame of mind, = suppose they
do arrest me? | am well-known in
the city; no one would suspect me of
being pick-pocket. can produce any
quantity of evidence as to my character !;
| can prove that am gentleman and
an honest man; only it so happens that l
have got another gentleman's wallet in
my breeches pocket and cannot deny
that / stole it from him an hour or two
ago. Mighty honest and gentlemanly,
that is, certainly No; I'm thief be-
yond all remedy. No one would believe
me; it is so improbable that I scarcely
credit it myself
At this moment, heavy hand was
laid upon my shoulder. felt the blood
leave my face and rush back upon my
heart; my knees trembled and smote to-
gether, and involuntarily stretched out
my wrists for the expected handouts.
"'Why, what in the world is the mat
ter with you, Smith, asked familiar
voice; and with an inexpressible sense of
relief, | perceived that it was not po-
liceman, but an old acquaintance.
"'Good heavens, SpencerW exclaim-
ed, frantically clutching his hand have
got myself into the most dcplorable
scrape. Will you give me your advice,
and assist me to get out of it 7"
"'What kind Of scrape ?-going to
have a note protested or anything of that
kind I'm little short myself to-day !;
hr+ I eu0ooeo I ,,,;..l4 u,ol,o .o:.o A