The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-18

/ hA'li'l W. 'AAN Neh1i''t NiAN VI " AhNhFbNAS
watch-cluin, from which the watch had
been wrSSted. ....
"The ring was little worn,n he said,
and broke with the pull. | felt it, and
saw the hand that graspcd the watch. 1t
was Blown and upgloved, like his" point
ing to Dick, who as usual was ungtoved.
~ turned round quickly and caught him.
Now STE ir you don't find the watch on
him.
"Tt's all an Infamous lie " said Dick.
"What should | want Of his beggarly
watch ~
"rhe prisoner had better be quiet and
let himself be searched" replied the police
captain.
"SCarch me and welcome" rctortcd
Dick, pulling of his oyercoat, thereby
bringing to view his handsome dress suit.
The men looked at each other in sur
prise. 81 didn't think he was a swell
.Icoyc,n said one; "he looked like the com
mon kindn
"Mr. Strong now drew out Ills own
watch, which was an elegant chronomcter
"lIere," said he to his captor, "why
should a man want to rob you when he
has such timc-piece as that Z"
at was stolen tco, I've no doubt,n
replied Mr.. Clark, imperturbably.
Dick nearly fell into u rage again,
"Yor'rc an incorrigiblc old fool" said he.
"Prisoncr will please be caroful,n said
the officer, sternly. snow, sir, what is
your name :"
"Richard Strong.n
"RCsidcnce Z"
Coax Hill Farm, Allegheny county,
New York."
A shade Of surprise crossed the officers
face MS he asked" Occupation Z"
"Famer."
Just then Dick, who still had his watch,
opened it, and uttered cry Of horror
it was after eight O'Clock.
Fer Gods sake, be quick with this
farce" he said, earnestly. 81 have a
most important engagement, and 1t Is al
ready past the hour"
Mr.. Clark smiled contemptuously.
SIM afraid you'll have to put it orr
he said.
"You do not seem to understand the
gravity OF the charge, Mr.. Strong" said
the captain. "0illcers Smith and Brown
will please search the prisoner"
With what grace he could muster Dick
submitted to the search; il was long aud
tedious, and resulted, Of course, in moth
ing. Strong was boiling over with in
dignation and impatiencc, but had to put
up with it; and Rs it Glanced, from the
fact of his having on new clothes, the
pockets were nearly empty, dc had hardly
anything upon him to serve rs vouchers for
the truth Of his assertions about himself.
Ills linen was, indeed, marked with his
name, and the men were conyiced that
their culprit was by rank q gentleman,
whether the charge made against him was
true or not. When he was brought into
the large room, Clark sprang forward
eagerly,
"Did you find the watch7n
"No, of course they didn't" replied
Dick.
The mans countenance fell.
"rhen he must have flung It away when
| caught him." hc said.
"Why, do you still think stole it ~
demanded Dick.
"Of course you did; I saw you take It,"
Dick turned away from him, without
reply, to tho captain, Snow, sir, [ hope
yoll will lot me 60"
"No, Mr.. Strong, We cannot do that
while this man swcars to this charge
against you"
This was more than Dick had expected,
and lis reserve broke down, "But, Cap
tain, you must let me go-Shy, this is my
wedding night and must 60"
"That's likely story" said Clark
with asneer.
"May ask who you are to marry"
asked the officer, looking rather incrcdu.
lous. r..
ltwas awfully'against Dicks ideas but
he had tosay, "a daughter Of Mr.. John
Weldon y .. .r
aNot Weldon of Weldon 4 Grcy7"
"Yes."
"Oh that's too much" cried the mex
prcsSible Clark, "As il he would look at
such fellow us youm
Dick's'anger famed out again, but he
began to find there was no use in display
ing it, and addressed himself especially to
the captain. To him he was very august,
saying all he could to prove that lis state
nents were true-perhaps too he displayed
some Of the greenbacks that were plenti-
ful in his pursc-be that MS it may. he sue
ceCded at last in persuadIng the officer to
allow message to be dispatched to Mr..
Weldon, and finally one Of the policemen
departed with hastily scrambled note
By the time he reached Mr.. Wedon's,
il was after ten o'clock; the uncomfortable
guests there assembled had began to think
they had better 60 home, as there would
be- no wedding that night, and the clergy
man, who had passed anything but an
agreeable evening, had gone to Mrs. Wei
don's to make his adieux, when there was
ring at the bell, followed by a rush to
sec who it might be.
4, When the dosr was opened and police
man stalkcd into the hall, the excitement
was intense. Mr.. Weldon hurried forward
to meet him. The man touched his hat.
y" Are YOU Mr.. John Weldon ~
ayes"
" y prisoner down at our station sem.
you this notc.H {; & 1
AIr, Weldon opened the missiyc eagerly;
people crowded round TO learn its con-
tents, - -H.. .I.
:" am in the 9th street station house,
charged with theft; for Gods sake come
and get INC out. RicrARD STRONG"
A shout Of laughter followed this an
nouncement, the people were so amused,
they thought It such a good joke. The
relief after the long suspense was SO great,
that peal after peal Of merrimCnt rang out,
thcjolly sounds cchoing even to Edith's