The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-03-01


write to my partner for money It would
certainly be as well as to tramp ten OF
twelve miles back to the city had left
and where would be no better off, being
equally stranger there.
In due time found myself in Lauder.
dale, went to the best hotel telegraphed
for money, and wrote an explanatory note
to my partner. This business attended
to, sailed out to see what sort of place
Lauderdale city might be. There was
nothing to do but to amuse myself as best
could until the money should come. As
| strolled lcisurely up the main street, a
newsboy started out of printing Office,
crying:
DAILY Banner-extra edition-all about
the murder--great accident on the e.
etc. Have an extra?n
took the sheet and thrust my hand in
my pocket for the money without mo.
ments thought. You may imagine my
feelings when compelled to return that
two-penny bit Of paper back to the boy,
with the muttered excuse that had no
change, and the utterly contemptuous ex-
preston on the boys face as he received
it, l Immediately stepped into the Office
OF the banner and wrote paragraph of
my recent mishap, taking care to make it
as amusing ms possible When completed,
handed it to the clerk. He read it,
laughed, and took it into the private Office.
Coming back few minutes after, he told
the boOk-kceper to give me fifty cents.
II was not much, but more than | expect
ed. Well, / continued my walk until
finally reached the end of the street which
terminated at the s. river, here spann-
ed by long covered bridge, | crossed
the bridge, and was surprised to see upon
reaching the opposite side that would be
required to pay toll. A young girl came
to the door Of the little Office as | stepped
up and enquired how much should pay,
drnwing forth my solitary shinplaster.
"Oh, said she, with smile and slight
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 the consideration shown TO the
clergy, ! turned about and retraced nv
steps to the hotel, not without some twin.
ges OF conscience for allowing the mistake
to pass and taking advantage OF 1t.
My first duty next morning was to seek
some knight of the razor. Ihad noticed a
pleasant little shop at no great distance
from the hotel in my walk the previous
day. Thinking | should do no better by
looking further, | repaired to that. There
was in attendance boy about twelve years
of age, who stated that his father, the pro.
prletor, had gone TO neighboring city,
and would not return before noon. With.
out any hesitation asked for the loan of
razor, and proceeded to operate on my.
self. While thus occupied, the customers
began to present themselves, expressing
dissatisfaction on learning how matters
stood. Now, although proud man, l am
not, thank God, cursed with that species
of vanity which prevents mans doing
certain kinds of honest labor, simply be.
cause they are not genteel. Here an op-
portunity offered to at least earn the price
OF my breakfast. | took advantage of it /:
told the first man that came in after had
completed shaving myself, ] would shave
him. | did so. In fact, | did quite a
brisk business for couple Of hours, and
If any of the unfortunate individuals who
came under my hand had any doubt of my
fitness for the position, they certainly ex-
pressed none. At the expiration of that
time | began to think / had done suffi-
cient, and feeling rather hungry, having
had no breakfast, l divided the proceeds
with the boy, and prepared to return to my
hotel. But was not done yet As
was brushing my hat, a young dandifed
specimen of humanity came in. Resolved
that he should be the last, went to work
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 I had lost. Standing on
no ceremony, | snatched it from his hand,
and demanded in no gentle tone how it
came into his possession.
| Without stopping to reply other than by
a volley of imprecations, as he reached the
door, he tumbled down the stairs into the
street. Waiting for neither hat nor coat,
| followed-the pocket-book in my hand.
We measured considerable ground in n
short space Of time On, on. 1t was a
very exciting chase. Men, boys and dogs
Joined in the pursuit the cries of "stop
thief" grew louder. What an uproar
there was. Suddenly there came fash
of light, sharp and vivid for an instant,
then utter darkness. A policeman mis-
taking me for thief, had gently tapped
me on the head, as is their usual custom,
and with the usual result, the thief es-
capcd, and I, the victim was apprehendcd,
My appearance told heavily against me,
but my story being fully corroborated by
the boy at the barber shop, | was released.
4 Upon examining my 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
| ma ha conclndad