The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-06-05
CATCHING A PICK-POCKET.

Are you going alone, cnlluT ihquir-
ed her relative.
EYES," was the reply. Papa cannot
leave his business, just now, to go with
me, but he will put me on the cars, and
my friends who are already in Belleville,
will meet me at the depot"
81 don t think it is safe" continued
the old lady. "Just think, If you should
be robbed, as ! was, on that very road,
last summerl"
How was that ?" asked Rhoda.
"Well," replied her companion, we
were just approaching the tunnel, when
gentlemanly looking young man,
wearing spectacles, came up to me and
inquired, Is this seat engaged, madam
no replied, and he Immediately ap-
propriated it. He was disposed to be
rather chatty, and was quite interesting;
but he left at the first station we reached.
After we had passed through the tunnel,
and when put my hand in my pocket,
1 found that my pocket-bOok had left
with him !"
hC SpiNhSN JOuii6 AAie'iA AiNNN BAN'N ~
too fascinating for you, P" laughed Rhoda.
" defy any one to rob me so easily"
Having just passed through the gradu-
.ating course at school, and come off with
flying colors, she felt equipped for any
emergency which might present itself in
the battle of life.
Don't be too sure" replied her aunt;
"and beware of any gentlemanly-look-
ing young man in spectacles, who wishes
to share your seat in the cars
Rhoda set forth with bright anticipa-
tious of pleasant summer Her ticket
was bought, her trunk checked, and she
was established in seat, all to herself,
with an interesting book in her hand,
and her lunch in a satchel beside her.
The whistle blew, and papa, giving
her hurried kiss, babe her good bye
and, for the first time in her life, she
was travelling alone. For while she
watched the scenery, as the train whirl-
ed her rapidly along. Then she devoted
herself to her book but finally becom-
ing tired of both, she yawned and wish
ed for company, and even fancied that
her aunt's fascinating young robber
would be rather an agreeable diversion.
81 should like to see him get my pock-
et-book,'' thought Rhoda. "If his
hand were once in her pocket, he would
not escape so easily withoutan introduc-
ton to the police" And she closed her
own little palm tightly, as though she
already had the prize within her grasp.
While these thoughts were passing
through the young lady's mind, the cars
stopped, and several passengers came
on board. Rhoda was conscious of
shadow falling near, and looking up,she
beheld a vision which mantled her
cheeks with deep blush; tall and
rather elegant looking young man, with
dark whiskers, and wearing spectacles,
was respectfully touching his hat, and
inquiring:
els this seat engaged, Miss ?" And
then he added, apologetically, " All the
others seem to be occupied"
ANSWERS " the description exactly"
soliloquized the young detective. "Now
Aunt Ann shall be revenged; will
give him the opportunity to pick my
pockets, if'he desires it. Perhaps he
may not enjoy it so much in the end"
Then she added, aloud, putting on a
look of sternness which set comically
upon her childlike face, "The seat is at
your service, sir,' and she proceeded to
remove her satchel.
" ALLOW me-" said the stranger, and he
elevated it to the bracket above.
Rhoda kept her eye upon her proper
ty, almost expecting to see it and her
companion disappear together.
F" He prefers pocket-books," was her
guard.
In spite of herself, our heroine be-
came interested in the conversation of
the stranger. He was so perfectly ac-
quainted with the road, and pointed out
all the objects of interest, telling anus
ing anecdotes connected with them.
But must not forget that he is a
villain was her mental reservation, as
she listened. "Aunt Ann said that he
was entertaining. "How funny" she
continued, addressing herself, :" that
should meet the same person. But then,
he frequents this road"
Finally, they entered the tunnel.
. scarcely wonder" remarked the
strange young man in spectacles, " at
the mistake of the old lady who, having
entered the tunnel for the first time in