The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1880-01-16

Otn Dtuuttt, OHt vi Now vi
rest detectives, was on his track.
lie had seen him enter the saloon,
come out with the cut-throat ruff
ian, Wills, and hold an interview,
he knew mischief was
1t was growing dark when Mr..
Stiggs again approached the Stan
ton street tenement-hOuse. They
were just lighting the street lamps
throughout the city. Entering the
dark and dingy hall of the house,
he drew from pocket huge false |
wig and beard, all united aud fitted,
both on his head and face. Then
he boldly ascended to the room he
had marked SO closely and knocked.
"Who is therer asked a timid
voice from within.
A friend to Mr.. and Mrs. Char.
ley Rivers, if this is where he lives!n
answered Stiggs, in loud, pleas
ant tone.
In Il second the door was opened
aud the same little woman whom
we have seen at the postotlice with
her daughter elinging timidly to
one arm, appeared with lighted
lamp in her hand.
81 am the wife of Charles Rlv.
ers, sir,n she said. "But he is IN
the Far West now.'
"What Have | got home ahead
of Charley n cried the stranger. 81
started ahead expecting to stay in
Denver month, and thought he
miqht get here ahead of me. But
he told me when | left Leadvllle to
he sure to come here, aud if | did
not see him I'd see Alice, his wife,
aud | could tell her | lett him well
aud hearty, aud almost ready to
start with "a fortune IN his hands
| for home, sweet homeW
"Come in, sir--if you are a
friend OF my husband; you are
welcome, rs poor as the home Is
nowp y
Aud Mr.. Stiggs entered the home
which he meant to make even more
desolate than it was.
=" How did my husband look when
YOU left him n asked Mrs. Rivers,
completely deceived by the skillfu
villain.
"Oh, hearty as u hve-pronged
buck. But he looks rough-liet
me. We don't bnrberize ont there
His face is as heavily bearded ~
niue. lie told me he always
shaved at home.'
"Ob, yes, sir, he was neat an'
careful in his person.
"By the way, il you have Il PIC
ture of him | can tell you If he i
altered much"
: al have his photograph, sir; ia
ken the day before he went away.
1t was producel with pride b
j. the loving wife, aud MIR. Stigg
: saw a noble and striking tace-on
| which he would single out anon
{ a thousand.
!; "His features to dot-hls eye
u but the hair and beard are NJ
) here,n he said as he laid the pictul
:, down. How | wish Charley WI
Z here. We were such warm friends
He will be here on Christina
4 morn, please God, sir--he says
: in "A letter | received today III
= taken tickets all the way throus
: will be at he Erie depot, whe
= = III meet him OH that blessed di
} with our dear little Rena here"
!, "Ah, yes; he often spoke
y Rena, his blue-eyed pet. We
Mrs. Rivers, III be there too. A
!, now, as Charley isn't here, let
= lend you II trifle till he comes
:. Pm his true friend, and we Q
y miners do such things. Not wo
;" now-take it, and by-by till Chri
). mas.'
= And Mr.. Stiggs laid twent
4 ,llar gold piece on the table a
: walk,l out of thereon before nj
ii Rivers could stop him.
~ ~ /" AZ least tell me your nan
STRIP she cried out, as he we
VI down the dark stairway.
an Montague Warren-Charle'
tell you about me-" was the rep
re Mrs. Rivers closed the do
lis clasped Rena in her arms, a
Iss burst out weeping.
rd "God is good, dear child y |
no sobbed. ave can keep our ro
u, lm now. / didn't know how on ea
III u, we could get money to pay
'ii rent--ro work and no hope till
i's m came y
';s 90 And she kissed the coin left
er that bad, bad man.
=" "Mr. Montague Warren, al
IN Mr.. Bob Stiggs, there will be
'vs extra passenger. on the Erie tr
Christmas morn y
That was what Detective d
nd nett said, as he followed Stl
~ y down those dark stairs silently.
ind
me 1t was Christmas morn, and
Pacific express OH the Erie r
let. came laundering along toward
nix. Empire City, y,filled with passeng
/" Baggage checks, sirP cl
NO. out the City Express agent,
as nroachinp n weary looking