Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-28

it ; but he is only baby, and it is hard fo
him to be taken from his mother" and in al
unusually subdued mood Mrs. Fanshaw de
scended the stairs, to join her husband below
Mr.. Fanshaw, meanwhile had been sitting
on bench in the office talking to one OF th'
officers who was off duty.
"Got such a thing as chew of tobacco
about you, Fanshaw? said the officer, peer
ing hungrily into Toms face.
"Why, yes" replied Tom. u thought
somebody might want some, and filled my
box before I started" He put his hand il
his coat.pocket, and drew thence,-a GOLD
Louis quatoiz. snuff:box, from the lid o1
which beamed lovely enameled face, sci
round with large diamonds. Mr.. Fanshaw's
eyes opened to that extent that there was
reason to apprehend that he would never be
able to close them again. his wifes glittered
like ravens; the jeweled toy lay shining on
the big palm.
"Well-" at last said Mr.. Fanshaw, draw
ing long breath. A moment after, "Bless
my soul 7" be exclaimed. "1've hit it 1t
must have been put in my pocket by that ere
woman we met, with the police close at her
heels. Served her right ifshe did get caught,
added Tom, Indignantly, "the jade! putting
such things in an honest mans pocket. But
what beauty it is, to be sure!'
A day or two later an advertisement ap-
peared in the Herald, offering 500 reward
for the box. Fanshaw's conscience had been
set at rest in regard to the acceptance of such
reward, and he agreed with bis wife that she
should 60 to the station house and claim little
Johnny-for they could afford to keep him on
the reward-and meet her lord afterward at
the jewelers. shop. When he reached it he
stared through the plate.glass window in ad'
miration fer q minute or two, and walked IN
in the best possible spirits, and advanced to-
ward the counter.
81 called about this advertisement" said
he, showing one that he had cut out Of the
paper; "the box has come into my posses
sion"
"Oh, indeed" replied the young man whom
he addressed, with an unmistakable sneer-
"Oh, indeedr'
"It happened very curiously," Tom went
on, glibbly Il and my wife were walking"
Don't tell your story to me, if you please"
interrupted the shopmap, rudely; "l'll men-
tion your errand to my master. Here, Jen-
kins, two upon ten."
The shopman went down the inner passage,
and Jenkins advanced from the other side of
the shop and kept close to Tom, in manner
which he could not but think offensive, espe-
cially as man of far less respectable appear
ance was left standing unmatched at the op-
posite counter Worse than this, the mean
ing of the mysterious order 1.-TWO upon ter"
soon became obvious in the gluing of Mr..
Jenkins eyes upon the ten fingers, FIVE OF
which were resting innocently upon the coun-
ter. Tom began to grow very uncomfortable:
When finally the first salesman returned and
preceded him into private room, and Jen-
kins, calling another man to attend to the
shop, Joined quietly in behind, Tom felt that
all his good spirits had unaccountably left
him, and was conscious of wearing hang dog
look, and of being treated surprisingly like a
criminal
Mrs. Fanshaw, with little Johnny in her
hands, lowered about the door of the jewel
ers shop for good quarter of an hour before
her lord made his appearance. When at
length he did so, she fell back with start,
and looked with terrified eyes into his face !;
the gas-light showed it to be ofa deadly white.
Heavens Save us, Tom! What's the
matter? You look like ghost!"
"Stuff and nonsense" he said, trying to
speak angrily, but the words came thick and
faint out of his throat. "What you've got
the brat, have YOU"
eyes, Tom. Poor little man, he was so
pleased" and the wife crept timidly nearer her
husband.
ave shall never repent it, any way, I'm
sure. I couldn't have eaten my Christmas
dinner comfortably if we hadn't done it, but
haven't you--haven't you got the money!
"Yes I've got the money" he growled be-
tween his set teeth.
Mrs. Fanshaw felt such a lump rise in her
throat that she spoke no more till they were
at home and in their own room. There she
could no longer restrain her tears; they
streamed dowa unnoticed over her new bonnet
strings that she had tied with such pride an
hour before.
"Oh, Tom !" she pleaded, "I'can't bear this.
Only tell me what it means"
"Means !" he exclaimed. ut means that
they don't believe word Of my story. 1t
means that shall lose my situation and my
character, and be ruined, as sure as you are q
living woman thanks to you and that cursed
brat! They don't prosecute, but they are
going to write and inform the company"
The next day Tom Fanshaw was summari-
ly dismissed from the employment Of the New
York Central Railroad company without a
recommendation.