Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-01-11

The sisters mourned previously
for their loss, but generously fore
bore ehiding Annie. Indeed, they
saw that she was really quite i'll in
consequence Of the occurrence. And
before evening Annie had to be
put to bed, and doctor summoned
to her, who found ber in a raging
fever.
For days and weeks Annie was
confined closely to her bed,' and, as
there was no one to take care of her,
Maria gave up her situation and re-
mained at home, nursing, and doing
the homework.
Their money gone, and only Jane
earning anything wherewith to pay
their increasing expenses, they were
at last obliged to let a part of their
house. This they did to a respecta
ole German family of the name of
Zimmerman, and as this family de-
sired if possible to board with them,
Maria procured a girl to assist her,
and posted in the front window a
notice, "Furnished Apartments %
o, Annie! cried Maria, one after
noon, bursting into the room where
Annie lay, we've just got another
lodger. A young man this time, and
such a handsome one!
Don't be "soft" on him, Maria,
said Annie, smiling; though l SUP
pose, of course, he is perfect.
He looks so, said Maria. He says
he is, from home, and has only just
arrived. He told me that he wishes
TO keep very quiet, on account of a
near relative of his, who is trying to
find him and destroy him in hopes of
succeeding to large property.
Pshaw! said Annie, contemptuous-
ly. | don't believe it. It's too ro-
mantle by half.
Well, of course, don't know how
much truth there is in it, said Maria,
rather dubiously. ANYHOW, he
wants to remain unknown. He's
lodging across the way at Mr..
Beach's.
Well, see that he pays you in ad-
vance. l should Judge from your
account that he is as likely as not to
be a swindler, a regular lodging
house thief-they all tell some such
stories.
A few days later Annie was sufi-
GENTLY well to rise from her bed and
walk about the room. She was still
quite weak, but some of her old
spirits shone in her eyes, and the
loss Of the money was gradually fad
ing from her daily thought.
The young man seemed to have
made himself quite agreeable, for
Maria became rather shy and silent
when he was the subject of conver-
sation. And Annie often wondered
where Maria went after the morn
ing's work was done. When, how
ever, she was spoken to about it
Maria laughed and said she was out
marketing; but Annie strongly sus-
pected that Maria was out promen-
aiding with the new lodger.
One morning Annie thought she
was strong enough to go down to
breakfast table. So, dressing her
self neatly and giving an added puff
to her hair in view of the fact that
she was then to see the lodger for
the first time, Annie was led down
stairs by Jane.
She could hear the heavy, guttur-
al tones of old Mr.. Zimmerman, who
was in a violent confab with his
wife, and the laughing voice of one
whom she took to be the new gentle
man lodger. Entering the dining
room, Annie was taking her seat
when her eyes fell on the young gen.
tleman directly opposite. He was
looking at her stupidity.
o, OF cried Annie, on meeting his
glance; and she stopped short, una
bic to articulate another word.
All, o, a -a-excuse me, ladies,
muttered the young man, backing
out toward ths door; and getting
the handle, be opened the door and
bounded down the stairs to the
street.
Annie recovered herself in a mo-
ment. Dashing to the window, she
threw it up, and shouted as loudly
as she could:
Stop thief! stop thief! D, stop him,
stop him!
Fortunately a policeman was
lounging nearly opposite, who, on
seeing Annie wildly screaming Stop
thief, and the young man fleeing as
for dear life, started in pursuit. The
lodger ran fast, but the policeman
ran faster, and the former was soon
in his grasp.
o, Annie, cried Maria, how you
frightened me. Who is be?
Why, he is the thief who stole
our money, said Annie; knew him
the very moment | set eyes on him.
A tief! cried old Zimmerman, turn
ing to Annie; Wy, he tolt me he vas
a nopleman, he did! Mine gracious
He hash got sixty pounds from me.
OF mine vrau, vat shall / do?
Here he is, ms'am, said the police
man, hauling the thief into the room.
l know him, ma'am. He's Slippery
Bill, one of the smartest rogues,
ma'am. Pvs had my eye OH him.
What's he been up to now?
Jane told him of the loss of the
money.
Just like him, ma'am, exclaimed
the officer, on hearing the account;
Just like him. He is one of the
shrewdest rascals | ever saw. Well,
he is nabbed now, thank heaven.
The lodger, otherwise Slippery
Bill, of unenviable notoriety, stood
carelessly with his back to the open
CRATE fire, and smiling obviously on
the throng. The policeman took
the precautiou to slip q pair of hand
cuffs over his wrists.
For you never know, you see, he
said. when these kind of fellows will
give you the slip.
Gift me back mine sixty pounds,
cried the German, shaking his fist in
the prisoners face. Gift it me back,
you bad one, you; Gift it me, l say.
But the pseudo gentleman only
smiled at his simplicity in so easily
parting with his hard earned money
aud NH lafI