The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-07-05

it to the clerk. He read it, laughed and
took it to the private office. Coming back
few minutes after, he told the ok-keep-
er to give me fifty cents. 1t was not much,
but more than expected. Well, / con-
tinued my walk until finally reached the
end of the street which terminates at the
S-river, here spanned by long covered
bridge. l crossed the bridge and was sur
prised to see upon reaching the opposite
side that l would be required to pay toll.
A young girl came up to the door of the
little office as l stepped up and inquired
how much should pay, drawing forth my
solitary shinpaster.
"Oh," said she, with smile and slight
blush, tive do not charge ministers any
thing"
1t was not Il bad joke, but suppressed
the laugh that rose to my lips, and thank
ing her for the consideration shown to the
clergy, turned about and retraced my
steps to the hotel, not without slight twin
ges of conscience for allowing the mistake
to pass, and taking the advantage of it.
My first duty next morning was to seek
some knight of the razor. l had noticed
a pleasant little shop at no great distance
from the hotel in my walk the previous
day. Thinking that should do no bet
ter by looking further repaired to that.
There was in attendance boy about twelve
years of age, who stated that his father, the
proprietor of the shop, had gone to neigh
boring city, and would not return before
noon. Without any hesitation I asked for
the loan of razor, and proceeded to oper-
ate on myself. While thus occupied, the
customers began to present themselves,
expressing great dissatisfaction on learning
how matters stood. Now, although am
q proud man, am not, thank God, cursed
with that species of vitality which prevents
a mans doing certain kinds of honest la
Dor simply because they are not genteel.
Here was an opportunity afforded me to at
least earn the price of my breakfast.
took advantage of it. Told the first man
who entered after had completed shaving
myself would shave him. I did so. In
fact, did quite brisk business for cou-
pie of hours, and if any of the unfortunate
individuals who came under my hand had
any doubt of my fitness for the business,
they certainly expressed none. At the ex-
piration of this time began to think l
had done sufficient, and feeling rather hun
CRY, having no breakfast, l divided the pro-
ceeds with the boy and prepared to return
to my hotel. But was not done yet. AS
was brushing my hat young dandiied
specimen of humanity came in. Resolved
that he should be last; l went to work up
on him. When he came to pay me, was,
to say the least somewhat surprised to see
him deliberately produce my own pocket.
book-the one had lost. Standing on no
ceremony I snatched it from his hand, and
demanded in no gentle tone how it came
in his possession.
Without stopping to reply other than by
a Volley of imprecations as he reached the
door, he tumbled rather than ran down the
stairs in the street. Waiting for neither
hat nor coat, followed-the pocket hook
in my hand.
We measured off considerable ground
in a short space of time. On, on. 1t was
an exciting chase. Men, boys and dogs
joined the pursuit; The cries of "stop thief"
growing louder and increasing. What an
uproar there was. Suddenly came flash
of light, sharp and vivid for an instant,
then utter darkness. A policeman, mis-
taking me for the thief had gently tapped
me upon the head, as their custom is, and
with the usual result, the thief escaped,
and the victim was apprehended. My
appearance told heavily against me; but
my story being fully corroborated by the
boy at the barber shop, was released.
Upon examining the wallet, found my
own money intact, and about one hundred
and thirty dollars besides. That is all the
story"
"Not bad speculation after ALL" said
l, as he concluded.
"Well, perhaps so. No it was not but
still my advice holds good. Never place
railway ticket in your wallet"