Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-03
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

Ii was a bright, clear, cold morning IN
early December. When kathie entered
the car, there was scarcely vacant seat
IN be seen. To be sure there was one
stout old gentleman seated alone, but he
was next to the aisle, and seemed so
deeply absorbed in thought that kathie
disliked to disturb him. Then there was
a middle-aged woman, but she had num-
berless parcels and wraps IN the seat be-
side her, and her appearance, take her al
in all, was SO forbidding, as she looked
fixedly out Of the window, that kathie
passed her by. There was but one more
seat unoccupied. 1t was beside gentle
man who sat close TO the window reading
a paper.
lis that sea, engaged" asked Kathie,
with timid hesitancy.
1T is not, was the answer, in pleas
ant tone; ''but," springing up as he
spoke, would you prefer the seat by the
window:
"Oh, no. Thank you, Not at all +"
murmured Kathie, and she sat down be-
side him.
The gentleman turned his attention
again TO his paper, and kathie immedi-
ately fell TO wishing that she had taken
the seat BY the window. For the gentle
man sat at her right hand, and her purse
was in her cloak pocket, and had not
Aunt Kate warned her over and over
again TO be on her guard against pick
pockets, and had declared that they were
quite as likely TO be young, agreeable.
and polite as the reverse: And was not
this person all three: Kathie stole a sly
glance at him. His dark eyes were in
tently fixed on his newspaper. He was
fine looking and well dressed, and to all
intents quite oblivious of her existence.
Kathie wondered, demurely, what sort of
an expression his face would wear if he
knew that any one thought he might be
pickpocket.
She might take her purse and hold it
in her hand; but that would seem osten-
tatious and tiresome; moreover, there
would be ample time for that when the
g~utleman-he looked ike gentleman
certainly-should put down his paper,
and Kathie could no longer see his hands
Then Kathies thoughts slipped into a
more agreeable channel. She thought OF
the Christmas gifts she was going to buy,
and of the shopping she would do. 1t
was her first trip to Boston quite alone
Aunt Kate had always been with her be-
tore, to take care of her and help her Sc
lect her Christmas gifts, but this year
Aunt Kate's rheumatism was so much
worse than usual that she did not hope to
be equal to trip 10 Boston for the win
ter; and as if was already nearing
Christmas, there was nothing to be done
but to let Kathie 60 alone. So it came
about that Kathie, feeling quite old and
responsible, was on her way this bright
December morning to the city. She men,
tally planned her days work, and por-
toned out her money for the various
things she was intending to purchase.
There was the book for her Sunday school
teacher, the shell comb for Aunt Kate,
the engraving for Cousin Will that mus,
be specially fine and nicely framed, since
it was to do double duty as Christmas
and wedding gift Should it be copy
of some celebrated old picture, or some
attractive group full of modern life and
interest: While Kathie was trying tC
decide this question, and was reviewing
with her minds eye all the finest and
most beautiful engravings that she had
ever seen, the train swept into the tunnel
As it grew dark the gentleman beside
her put down his paper turning slightly