Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-02-14

see upon reaching the opposite side that
would be required to pay toll. A young
girl came to the door Of the little office ~
stepped up and inquired how much sboult
pay, drawing forth my solitary shlnplastfr
Oh said she, with smile and Sigh
blush, I'VE do not charge ministers any
thing"
1t was not bad joke, but suppressed
the laugh that arose to my lips, and thank
ing her for tho consideration shown to tht
clergy. l turned about and retraced my step'
to the hotel, not without some twlpges O.
conscience for allowing the mistake to past
and taking advantage Of it.
Ny first duty next morning was to seek
some knight of the razor. l had noticed
pleasant litls shop at no great distance
from the hotel 10 my walk the previous day
Thinking should do no better by looking
fur her, I repaired to that. There was 10
attendance boy about twelve years OF age
who stated that his father, the proprietor.
had gone to neighboriDg city, and would
not return before noon Without any hes
itatiou asked for the loan Of a razor. and
proceeded to operate on myself Whila
thus occupied, the customers began to pre-
sent themselvs, expressing great dissst isfac'
ton on learning bow matters stood. Now,
although I am a proud man, | am not.
thank God, cursed with the species of vaal-
ty which prevents mans doing certain
kinds Of honest labor simply because they
are not genteel. Here an opportunity offer
ed to at least earn the price Of my breakfast.
I took advantage Of it; told the first man
that came in after + had completed shaving
myself, would shave him. | did so. 10
fact, did quite brisk business for couple
of hours. and if any Of the unfortunate indl.
viduals who came under my hand had any
doubt of my fitness for the business, they
certainly expressed none. At the explra-
ton of that time I began to thiuk | had
done sufficient, and feeling rather hungry,
having had no breakfast. 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 dand.hed
specimen Of humanity came in Resolved
that he should be the last, went to work
on him. When he came to paw me. was
to say the least, somewhat surprised to see
him deliberately produce nv own pocket
book-the one I had lost Standing on 10
ceremony, snatched it from his hand, and
demanded in no gentle tone how it came in
to bis possession.
Without stopping to reply other than BY
. volley OF imprecations, as he reached the
door, be tumbled rather ran down the stairs
into the street. Waiting for neither hat
nor coat, follewed-the pocket book in my
hand. We measured considerable ground
10 short space of time. o., on 1t was
a very exciting chase. Men, boys and dogs
joined in the pursuit; the cries of 'stop
thief grew louder and increasing. What
an uproar there was Suddenly there came
= fash Of light, sharp and vivid for an in
slant, then utter darkness. A policeman,
installing me for thief, bad gently tapped
me Cd the head. as their usual custom, and
with the usual result, the thief escaped, and
I. the victim, was apprehended. My ap.
pearanoe told heavily against me, but my
story being fully corroborated by the boy
at the barber shop. I was released.
Upon examing the wallet. I found my
own money intact, and about one hundred
and thirty dollars besides. That is all the
story"
mot bad speculation after all, said I,
Ne be concluded
"Well, perhaps not No, it was not /;
but still my advice holds good Never
place railway ticket in your wallet"