National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-12-15


been WI 'sted.
"The ring was little worn" he aid,
Z" aud broke with the pull. | felt II and
saw tho hand that gr,sped the watch 1t
was brown and upglovcd, like his" point
ing to Dick, who as usual was angloved.
/ turned round quickly and caught him.
Now see II you don't find the watch on
him.
"Its all un infamous lie :" said Dick.
"Wbat should want of his beggarly
watch ~
The prisoner had better be quiet md
let himself he searched" replied the police
captain.
"Seareh me and welcome" retortcd
Dick, pulling of his overeoat thereby
bringing to view his handsome dress .uit.
The men looked at each other in sur
prise. ~ didn't think be was swell
cove" said one "he looked like the com
mon kind"
"Mr. Strong now Grew out his own
watch, which was an elegant chronomcter.
Here said he to his eaptor, "wby
should man want to rob you when he
has such tme-piece Is that "
at was stolen to-, i've 10 doubt"
replied Mr. Clark, mperturbably.
Dick nearly i'll into rage again.
" "Yor're an incorrigi5le old fool" said he.
Prisoner will please he careful" said
the officer, sternly. "Now, sir, what is
your name ~
"Rchard Strong"
Residence p
"0ak Hill Farm, Allegheny county,
New York"
A shade Of surprise crossed the ofliceI's
face ie asked" Occupation r.
"fa mcr"
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
most important engagement, and 1t is al
ready past the hour"
Mr.. Clark niled contemptuously.
Pm afraid you'll have to put it off,"
lie said.
You do not seem to understand the
gravity OF the charge, Mr. Strong" said
the captain. "OffiHers Smith and Brown
will please search the prisoner.
With what grace he could muster Dick
submitted to the seareh; it was long and
tedious, and resulted, of course, in moth
ing. Strong was boiling over with in
disnaton and impatience but had to put
up with il; and as it CHANGED, from the
fact of his having on new clothes, the
pockets Were nearly empty, ne had hardly
anything upon him to serve as vouchers for
the truth Of his assertions about himself. |
His linen was, indeec, marked with his |
name, and the men wore conviced that |
their culprit WAS by rank q gentleman,
Whether the charge made against hlm was
true or not. When he was brought into
,he large room, Clark sprau. forward
eagerly.
Did you find the watch ~
No, OF course they didn't replied
Dick.
The mans countenance Iell.
"Ihcs be must have flung it away when
! caught him." he laid.
"N ny. do you still think stole it 2"
demanded Dick.
"Of course YOU did; saw you take it."
Dick turned away from him, without
reply, to the captain, " Now, sir, hope
yol will let me 60"
NO, Sir. 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 go-shy, this is my
wedding night and must GO
"That's u likely story" said Clark
with snccr.
"May | ask who you are to marry"
lshed the officer, looking rather incredu
Gus.
1t was awlully against DICKS ideas but
he had to say, " A daughter Of Mr.. John
W edon =
"Not Weldon of Weldon & Grey I"
"Ye:."
"Oh that's too much" cried the mex
)ressiole Clark, " As if he would look at
ucb fellow as you "
Dicks anger famed cut again, but he
began to find there was no use in display
ng it, and addressed himself especially to [
he captain. To him he was very august, 1
aging all lie could to prove that his state |
nents were true-perhaps too he displayed
ome OF the greelbacks that were penti |
u in his puIsc--be that as it may, he sue
'eeded at last in persuading the officer to
llow message to be dispatched TO Mr.. :
" eldon. and finally one oi the policemen ,
leparted with a hastily scrambled note. {
BY the time he reached Mr. Weldon's, !
t was after ten O'clock the uncomfortable |
uests there assembled had began TO think {
hey had better 90 home, az there would $
,e no wedding that night, and the clergy .,
nan, who had passed anything but an =
greeable evening, had gone TO Mrs. Wei :
Ions to make his adie'.x, when there was /
ring at the bell, followed by u rush to =,
ee who it might be. 3
When the door was opened and police {
nan stalkcd into the hall, the excitement !
ras intense. Mr.. Weldon hurried forward '
0 meet him. The man touched his hat.
"Are YOU Mr.. John Weldon r |
ayes"
"a prisoner down at our station sent q
on tins note"
Mr.. Weldon opened the mssiye eagerly; |
eople crowded round to learn its con a
ents. a
= am in the 9th street station house,
harged with theft; Tor Gods sake come
nd get me out. RICHARD STRONG"
A shout Of laughter followed this an |
the people were so amused, :
hey thought it such good joke. The a
alief after the long suspense was so great, /
nat peal after peal Of merriment rang ont, $
nc Jolly sounds cchoing even to Editb's n
,om, and the girls jumped out to ear the b
ews, quickly brought her back the tidings $
nat Dick was safe, though in such funny Il
rape. II
The policeman meantime looked at the p
Milling ttIony and then at NJ. Weldon.
so what be said was true, and be was u
ping to marry your daushterf" 0
Yes, certainly"