The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-10-19

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"What, Randall !, Still in bed!'
| 1t was Bob Finch, brother Lieu.
tenant from headquarters. 'e:>::> ~
80 You are to return at once to the
regiment" he said. ~ have come to
relieve you.' .
'tHurrah !!"I -
STEADY, boy, steady: Read this.
Don't sing out toe. .soon."
It was an Official letter from the Ad.
@utant, desiring me to hand over my
detachment, and report myself forth.
with at headquafters-u under arrest
"Bless me. What's up -
''The Colonel's furious. He declares
he'll prefer charges, and have you.
tried by court-martial.' - Z " - =,
''But why, man! :why!''
hat On earth sinduceda you to- give
that sharper letters Of introduction to
the regiment Where, in heavens
name: me; did you pick vim q, up'''
.''Of Darkness. He made nice FOOLS
of us all.''
i told Bob Finch the story Of the
raft. ut which he laughed a little, ad.
ding soon:
"But it's no joke, Randall. He was
asked to mess on the strength of your
letter to Greycliffe."
II gave him none.'
He, produced one -on paper with
your monogram, and In your writing"
"A forgery"
'But how could he have done that?'
81 left him alone here for an hour
or more to write letters. There was
one for Messrs. Coutts, and another
for somebody 'offski;' for
Seven Dials, of course, but would
not confess to this.
swell, he dined at mess, en- bour.
geois. He was travelling and had left
his mails at another stage; after din
ner he got us to baccarat, which he
played to a nicely. We were cleaned
out, every one of US. The Prince, how.
ever, promised us our revenge. Only
the same night-it. could have been no
one else-he broke into the mess house,
stole three dozen silver forks, heap
of tea spoons, several snuff boxes. one
or two racing caps-in fact, all the
light, portable articles on which he
could lay his hands,
1 Twas utterly ashamed of myself for
being so easily imposed upon, and Yas
preparing, in pain and humiliation, to
proceed to headquarters, when my sar.
gent came in and said two Warders
had arrived from Talkham Convict
Prison; would see them!
One came in.
''Might I make so bold as to claim
your assistance, Sir2 We have been in
pursuit of a convict who escaped from
our establishment the day haf0re yes
terday."
He produced large placard headed
with the Royal arms. Under them, in
flaming capitals, were the words:
''Conyict just escaped! Five pounds
reward l''
Then followed the description
''Thomas Twoshoes, alias Polish Ned,
alias the Staggering Sumph, alias Har.
ry Highf1yer complexion sallow, dark
eyes, high cheek bones, black hair.
Speaks with a foreign accent. Was
dressed in trousers of patched blank.
eting and an old check Shirt
"Well, what can I do!" I asked, a
little nervously. Was I suspected of
completely! Doubtless l had laid my.
self open to the charge of aiding and
abetting in the convict's escape. "If I
can assist you in your search"
"That isn't necessary, sir, for we've
caught him.
"Caught him !" cried both Finch and
myself in breath.
''He Is outside, in the custody Of
Assistant. Warden Tightlock. We cap
tured him seven miles the other side
Of Manchester. A boy saw him about
daylight hiding behind a hedge chang
ing his shirt-that he had on was
marked with Broad Arrow. We
were informed, gave chase, and, after
a sharp tussle, teok him. Will you al.
low me to lodge him in your guard
room till the prison van arrives! :"
I consented, and went out with Finch
to see the culprit, who was handcuffed
and still in my clothes.
"Wel1, Prince," I began.
"Pardon me" he said, gravely, II
am incog. T; travelling under the name
Twoshoes. My equerry here, Mr..
Tightlock, will explain
"Always was a rum'un to patter.
Flash as you like, and artful, said Mr..
Tightlock.
"HoW he: got away was marvellous;
like magic" said the senior Warder.
"He was here to-day"
"And will be gone again tomorrow"
put in the incorrigible rogue. "But,
while I have the opportunity ALLOW me
to thank NJ. Carruthers for his gener.
Gus hospitality ; and perhaps you, SIR"
he went on to Bob Finch, twill con.
vey to your brother officers an invita-
tion to visit me at Talkham! The
place is rough, but l am compelled to
make It my residence for the present,
and if any care to come over I shall be
happy to give them their revenge.
:Ands the mess plate, Twoshoes =
'sMade into white soap hours ago."
Melted down, that Isl" remarked
Tightlock, by way of explanation.
+ And that was all we ever heard of it.
Our scant Wheat Crop.
From, the Milwaukee Wisconsin. >"
There can no longer be a question
that the wheat crop in the Northwest
ern States for the year 1876 is very
scant. 1t was at first natural to doubt
whether so general failure in a dis.