Connecticut western news., 1871-12-08

bringing to view his handsome dress suit.
 The men looked at each other in sur prise. "I didn't think he was swell cove" said one he looked like the con- mon kind.n
 "Mr. Strong now drew out his own watch, which was an elegant chronomcter.
 "Here," said he to his captor, "why should a man want to rob you when he has such time-piece as that ?'
 "It was stolen tco, I've no doubt" replied Mir. Clark, imperturbably.
 Dick nearly fell into a rage again. "Yor're an incorrigible old fool" said he.
 "Prisoner will please he careful" said the officer, sternly. "Now, sir, what is your name ?" I
 Richard Strong"
 "Residence 2"
 "Oak Hill Farm, Alleghany county, New York"
 A shade of surprise crossed the officers face as he asked" Occupation 2"
 "Farmer."
 Just then. Dick, who still had his watch, opened it, and uttered cry of horror it was after eight o'clock.
 " Eor Gods sake, be quick with this farce," he said, earnestly. "I have a most important engagement, and it is al- ready past the hour."
 Mir. Clark smiled contemptuously.
 "I'm afraid you'll have to put it off," he said.
 "You do not seem to understand the gravity of the charge, MT. Strong" said the captain. "Officers Smith and Brown will please search the prisoner"
 With what grace he could muster Dick submitted to the search; it was long and tedious, and resulted, of course, in noth- ing. Strong was boiling over with in dignation and impatience, but had to put up with it; and as it chanced, from the fact of his having on new clothes, the pockets were nearly empty, ae had hardly any thing upon him to serve as vouchers for the truth of his assertions about himself. His linen was, indeed, marked with his l.Lc, anl tLc men were conviced tbat their culprit was hy rank a 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 tho watch ?'
 "No, of course they didn't" replied Dick.
 The mans countenance fell.
 "Then he must have flung it away when | 1 caught him." he said.
 "Why, do you still think I stole it g demanded Dick.
 "Of course you did; saw you take it."
 Dick turned away from him, without reply, to the captain, "Now, sir, hope you will let me go."
 "No, MT. Strong, we cannot do that while this man swears to this charge against you"
 This was more than Dick had expected, and his reserve broke down, "But, Cap tain, you must let me so-why, this is my wedding night and must go."
 "That's likely story," said Clark with sheer.
 "May I ask who you are to marry" asked the officer, looking rather incredu- lous.
 It was awfully against Dicks ideas but he had to say, |" A daughter of MT. John Weldon 2
 "Not Weldon of Weldon S Grcy?"
 "Yes.o
 "Oh that's too much," cried the mex pressible Clark, " As if he would look at sucb fellow as youp'
 Dicks anger famed out again, but he began to find there was no use in display ing it, and addressed himself especially to GIlS Ctpldllks 1O ullu u6 W dS very august, saying all he could to prove that his state nents were true-perhaps too he displayed some of the greenbacks that were plenti- full in his purse-be that as it may, he suc- ceeded at last in persuading the officer to allow message to be dispatched to Mr. Weldon, and finally one of tho policemen departed with hastily scrambled note.
 By the time he reached MT. Weldon's, it was after ten o'clock the uncomfortable gues there assembled had began to think they had better go 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. Vel don's to make his adieux, when there was ring at the bell, followed by a rush to see who it might be. When the door was opened and police man stalked into the hall, the excitement was intense. MT. Weldon hurried forward to meet him. The man touched his hat. Are you Mir. John Weldon p
 "Ycs."
 GA prisoner down at our station sent y ou this note." MT. Weldon opened the missive eagerly; people crowded round to learn its con tents.
 
 charged with theft; for Gods sake cone and get me out. RICHARD STRONG" } A shout of laughter followed this an. nouncement, the people were so amused they thought it such good joke. The relief after the long suspense was so great that peal after peal of merIiment rang out the jolly sounds echoing even to Edith's room, and the girls jumped out to hear the | 4 k, L,o 4l that Dick was safe, though in such funny scrape.
 The policeman meantime looked at the smiling throng and then at Mr. Weldon. "So what he said was true, and he was going to marry your daughter?" Yes, certainly"
 I've would not believe him, he looked such a shabby chap; however, the Boss said, as it was so rear, might come anG see."
 More laughter followed this, and in $ : few moments MT. Weldon and Charles r Strong were on their way, with the police. > man, to Dicks relief. 5 There is not much to add; when they reached the station, few words from MT !, Weldon convinced the police captain, that l there must have been some mistake, and r Mir. Strong was released. Clark still re- e manned at the place, and was furious at tht d result; when going out, Dick said to hin n -" Now, Mir. Clark, hope you are con = Vinced that did not steal the watch 2" }. To this he replied very angrily-" Yo, $ did too, for l saw you; and I say it's > monstrous injustice to let you off jus d because you are going to marry ricl e mans daughter.'' d Their was no use arguing with such
 person; and as Dick once more drew ol the objectionable overcoat, Charles Stron d could not help saying, "Ah Dick, it wa It all because you would wear shabby coat t. and would not have a carriaoe Vo, xy;1