New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-05

up, and as did so caught sight of myself
in the looking glass Good heavens! was
this wretched, hang-dog looking fellow my
self? Did a few hours misery change a
man like this Why, | was very felon In
appearance, and so l should be thought to
be. Who would believe this story OF rob-
berry! Why. the police dldnt believe
in it, else they'd have taken off
terent tone. No; / should be looked
upon as ID thief by all the world.
Then my wife came down stairs, and
with few touches restored little order
and sanity, both to outward matters and
NV mind She brought ME some coffee
and an egg and some bread and butter, and
after had eaten and drunk, didn't feel
quite so bad.
Jack" she sad, ''you must go TO Lon
don at once and see the directors. Have
the first word, and tell them all about 1t
all the particulars. 1t was only little bit
of carelessness after all, and perhaps they'll
look over it."
Yes, that's all very well" said. But
how am to get there? I've got no money.
Ihis. wretched party has cleared US right
OUT
Borrow some of Cousins
"He asked me to lend him sovereign
last night, and rcouldnt."
Now you'll say, "Heres man without
resource. Why didn't he pawn his watch r
To tell you the truth, that's what l had
done the week before, and the money was
all gone. Then, under these circum-
stances" you'll add, sit was immoral TO
give party" But. you'll bear in mind,
the invitations had been out for a fortnight,
and then we were in funds.
well, Jack" said my wife. 'you must
get the mantle p. BIO give you some
more money on the watch Sell it him right
out. 1t must be worth at least ten pounds,
for it cost thirty, and you've only had FIVE
upon it. Sell the ticket"
Yes; but where was the ticket9 Why n
the little cash pocket of my brown great
coat. Still, l had heard, that if you'd lost
ticket, you could make the man give you
another, and Brooks, the pawnbroker, was
a respectable fellow, who, perhaps, would
help me out of my difficulty. | went to
him anyhow, on my way to the station. |
felt like ticket-ofleave man as went into
his shop, but put a good face upon it.
Brooks | said, "that Watch-you know
the ticket-it's stolen"
Brooks gavesa most portentOus wink. He
was slow speeehed man, with red face,
and Tremendous corporation.
NAY" he says, my lad, thou rt wrong
there"
"What do you mean!' said. coloring up
efuriOusiy. Every one suspected me- it
seemed.
''Whoi, it might ha' been stolen once, but
it aren't no; ave got it here. This is how
it were. A cadging sort o chap comes in,
and he says Master, what'n you give me
for this ere ticket" Now, you know the
hact don't allow US to give nOught in that
kind of way, but l says to the chap: Let's
have LOOK at it, and then | saw it was
yours, and | said to the man: Ny lad, you
aren't come honest by this"
"And you gave him into custody. he's in
prison? Old Brooks, what capital fellow
you arer'
NAY" he said, 81 knowed better nor
that. Do you think Td hexpose customer?
| know you gents don't care about these
little matters getting abroad; and so | slaps
my fist on the counter, and | says: Hook
it = just like that And away he went like
lamplighter."
l sank down On the counter, oyerpowered
with emotion.
"And what's more" went on Brooks, "he
never took up the money I'd lent him for
the coat"
What coat /" cried.
"a very nice brown coat he put up with
me. About tit you, | should think. See,
here it is"
1t was my identical, brown great coat,
wrapped up in bundle. and tied round
with my own handkerchief. | made dart
at it, opened it, plungedemy hand into Pie
breast pocket-there was the roll of money,
there were the f22, 600.
How did go to the banfs Shat mOsnings
on legs or wings! And how did | get home,
as soon as l had put the money safe away:
Mary knew by my face that it was all eight:
ard didn't we have dance "a JOG 81 round
the house!
My burglar had only been a So1s o5 sneak,
after all, who had got in at an open window,
and bolted with the spoils of the hall; but
if he had taken the pains to look into the
pockets of the coat, he'd have been rich
though perhaps miserable and insecure
man, and l should have been utterly and
deservedly ruined.