Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-22
is ready and now you can't have ita Well. 1

MUCK uSUeneu WIFI STcdt az
tentton. ~ will come to you after dinner,
said he briefly and took his departure.
An hour later he sat with Jochem SchackTiA
In retired corner OF an ale house near CATH
posed OF and paid for by Muck, he knew that
two thaler piece to be as surely his as though he
had it now in his possession. Jochem went
home to dinner more convinced than eve.
that "snapps are good and Muck at O'Clock
promptly reported to Pilchen.
$50, So" said the latter when the iir was
clear to him. $50 that was the reason? Sit
down, Muck, and We'll plan little.
And 50 they planned little, Baron Won Pill
chen and Muck, the ex-shoemaker al tle raS-
cally student.
1t was chilly october evening that Commits
stoEer Clemens had selected for his watch over
whistled audibly through Cathedral SQUARE and
around the corner OF the projecting house
where Clemens stood, in the deep shadow it
seemed to have especial sweep. He wrapped
himself closer in his mantel and peerei over
toward the pile OF Sleepers. AS yet there was
nothing suspicious TO be seen. It was quite
tin. only now and then an innocent pedes
trian or belated pair OF lovers crossed the
square. Finally carriage came along and
stopped before the house where Clemens stood.
An elderly aad young LAZY allghted From
their conversation the listener discovered that
they had been to the thelter. He started as a
familiar name fell upon his ear.
u wonder why Pilchen waSn'o in the thea
teri" asked the young lady. "He promised to be
there"
Her companions answer was lost in the clos
Ing OF the door.
commissioner. " Ha ha- hal She'll have to go
to bed without her serenade tonight. I'm very
sorry Fraulien but"
What was that? Yes! A man with some long
Object wrapped in cloth, sneaked out from be-
Lind the Pile OF sleepers. II was the thief!
'.Now. where's that fellow, Schachwitz? Not
on hand OF course. Aha. there he comes out OF
the shadow, and there comes Muller Here, you
fellows. Now we have him certain there he
goes, sneaking of with sleeper under his arm
Now, slowly after him until we are close enough
to S " him. After him Now be cautious; be
Cautious"
The three stole after the thief as quietly as
possible. But it seemed as though he had a suS-
plcion that justice was at his heels, for he ac-
ceierated his footsteps and made every possible
twist and maneuvre to tire his followers. He
would disappear in the dark shadow of house,
or Del ind a wagon standing in the street, would
go Fl st to the right and then to the left. Fin
ally lie turned into dark alley and began to
hurry so that the police had to take up brisk
trot to follow him. The race had lasted at least,
fifteen minutes without changing the distance
between the parties, when the impatient COM
misSiont thundereda sudden % Halt ~ after the
thief. he man began to run in earnest at this.
Clemens raced poutingly after him, Muller fol-
lowed. arc Yochem limping in the rear. ut cred
silent curse upon the DECENTRALIZATION our
selves, upon the commissioner, too. 1t was a right
good haSe, and the few paSSerS-by stopped to
look. Ten O'Clock struck and just at that mo-
ment the fugitive stood still before modest
his poc"et and proceeded to open the door. But
the COMM. sioner, who had reached him by this
Tine sized him by the collar, while Police Null
Ter graSped his arm.
'Weli, what do you want ?" cried the prison.
er 'What do you mean. gentlemen? ?"
''Take that bundle from him, SchackwltZ."
said the commissioner to the old matchmaker,
who had now limped up.
BE very careful, Yochem!' warned the thief,
you might"
..By thunder it's Muck!n cried Schaekwitz,
rppOpui2iup old friend n NJ hpnafaptDr nj hot
morning.
'.What! Bootblack Muckberger asked
Clemens, looking at his man closer. $50 you
"Who, 1? Thief? Well!" exclaimed Muck In
tone OF injured innocence. commissioner,
all respect TO your able efficiency, but this is
damned nonsense, as the students say"
1T really does seem So" observed YOchem,
who had opened the bundle on the ground, and
now displayed its contents. No railway sleeper,
indeed, but pair of giant cavalry boots, which,
with their long, stiff upperS stuffed into one an
other, had made the misunderstanding bundle.
Clemens was beside himself. "Slr, what is
that?" he Numbered.
LAS you see, gentlemen, a pair or cavalry
boots which am to black in the morning.
And what did you run for like fool when l
called out 'haltH to you?" was the further in
Ibid you call to me? Did you follow me ?"
asked Muck with all apparent innocence. ''Well,
my coat is rather thin, sir-the times are bad
can't get new one"
"Teli that to some one else, " replied Clemens,
trembling with rage. You may go now, but
look out for me, Slr-r-r-r."
Thanks, will" said Muck very politely. He
grabbed up his boots and disappeared with a
gGod-natured GOOD night, Yochem!' in the
open doorway.
The commissioner kept back an outbreak of
his rage only by most strenuous effort. To
morrow morning, at eight, report!" he ordered
his men, then hastily lett them. When again in
the neighborhoOd of Cathedral square his brisk
pace suddenly came to StandStilL Clear and
distinct upon the night air fell the last notes OF
quartette OF mems voices with cornet accom-
paniment. The words came to him, 50 Farewell!
farewell! sweet woods, farewell!''
AHA, so that's it!'' he fairly choked out.
"Wel just wait!n
in worse humor than ever the next morning.
He arose with bad cold, and his head burned
like iile. The report had again come in OF the
THEFT or two more SleeperS. That abject boot
black Muck troubled him, for he knew he had
Teen fooled for some reason. Could the fellow
be In conspiracy with the thieves? Then the
conviction gradually grew upon him that IL
must have been the Serenade party Muck was
assisting. The serenade! Yes at last he had
something to vent his spleen upon. Plchen
should pay dearly for last nights pleasure 4
messenger was sent to the student, and Clemens
busted himself with great law book, studying
10 Ind what punishment could be inflicted. TO
his chagrin there was not much to be made of it.
penalty OF from one to fifty thalerS, in case OF
repetition short imprisonment, was all that
was set down for the oifense. And alas there
would be no repetition in this case, OF course.
The very sight OF Schackwftz, as he entered the
bureau, was a fresh trial to Clemens temper, If
he had but known that he owed last nights
wild chase and this mornings barbarous cold to
the old mans garrulOuS tongue! "Take TWO
more men with you tonight, SchackwitZ and
keep the sharpest lookout on Cathedral square.
II you catch any OF the thieves bring him TO me
II Ii In the middle OF the night | shall not get
any rest until the raScalS are caught. Do you
hear, II ii S 10 the middle OF the night!'
AS you say, Sir" replied Jochem mechani-
cally.
Baron Won Pilchen appeared punctually at the
appointed hour at the police bureau, and lis
tened TRANQUILITY to the charge OF contempt OF
police regulations, neither denying or eXcuSiny
his onence. But when Clemens imposed the
iull amount OF the line upon him, he asked
ironically:
80 the commissioner is pleased to lay the
fullest penalty upon his obedient servant? My
best thanks for this token OF his friendly re-
gard. l will pay most willingly"
Do so, baron. And In case Of repetition re-
member I'll imprison you"
Which doubtless would give your humane
heart great pain" replied Pilchen. Still l
don't think you'll be driven TO that sad neces-
sity. Good morning! 1 remain your most
obedient servant Whereupon he retired, and
II his idea had been to drive the commissioner
In fit OF the spleenS, he accomplished his pur-
pose most efectually.
When the student reached his room he found
the bootblack awaiting him. Muck related in
his Qryly COmiCal way the pyOprjpnce OF last