Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-09-13

| lane which | have described as running Il
the river, for l knew that the thief having
got clear of the house would make for the
bridge, come quickly down the lane, cut
through the main road, and make his way
down some lanes into the middle of the
Seven Sisters road, where in a crowd il
would be difficult to catch trace of him
l was not mistaken. There was my man
coming surging along at a good pace: a
perfect giant. l knew him directly. There
was no mistaking the immensely broad
shoulders, long legs and bullet head, or the
huge strides he took. 1t was Arthur Blen.
! del, well-known thief, as bad a vagabond
as ever walked. He was celebrated fol
boxing and wrestling and was known tc
carry dagger-knife with him, which ne
swore he would use on any policeman who
attempted to arrest him. The fellow could
run like stag, SO if / raised an alarm he
would have been off like shot. If | at
tempted to arrest him he would kill me for
a certainty, for was no match for him-no
nor three such as me. How he managed
to get Balmer's coat on was a mystery tC
met must have been because Balmer is
very fat.
l scarcely knew what to do, but / was
not going to lose my man, 50 going up to
him I said:
"Hullo, Arthur, what are you doing up
here?"
He started, for he knew my voice in an
instant, and then said, in the regular thieves
whine:
"Hello, Mr.. Fox! 1 think I should ask
YOU what you are doing up here, and in
that disguise, too"
'There has been a burglary at the Ferns
down there-Major Crawford's house-and
Pm on about it. &.
"You don't suspect me?" he .growled, as
he stepped back a pace or two. 'S'help me,
/ have been miles away"
eyes, yes; I know that. This has been
done by country hands in collusion with
one of the maids. I fancy have cleW to
the matter. But do you know that you are
wanted, Arthur"
"Me! What precious put-up have you po-
licemen made now? S'help me, poor
fellow can't work honestly for the perljce:
But won't be taken for nothing, so tell
you, Charlie Fox. I'd dsOoner be hanged for
murder than quodded. So look out, Char
lie!"
AS he spoke saw the gleam ola knife in
his hand, and 1 did not feel comfortable.
"Don't be fool, Arthur" | said; II am
not in the case. The put-up, as you call it,
this time is for bigamy."
"Bigamy" he shouted with roar of
laughter, as he shut his knife, much to my
relief "Why, I never was married in my
life. You know that, Mr.. FoX?"
"Well, so I said when heard the charge,
but the women swore to, it, and each have
their certificates"
"Women! Ha, ha, ha, ha! And who
are these blessed beauties"
"Sal Boyd-the Irish girl-and Mary
Crew. l happened to call in at the police
station as I was coming out, and there they
,% +, I
are both there now. If you take my advice
YOU will 90 at once and face the matter.
I'll 60 with you, and bear witness that to
the best of my knowledge and belief you are
not married, and also as to the characters of
the girls" -. .,. -, :, .4ouo,, ~
virtuous Indignation. '"They yain't got none.
But Pm on, sergeant. I'll give it to 'em.
Married! Ha, ha, ha! Well, that is cheek.
Come on sergeant, shan't rest till I have
faced the impudent hussies. And two such
wives. Ho, no, no, ho!
Thus laughing and enjoying the joke he
strobe on, I having almost to run to keep
pace with him. We reached the station,
stables, to whom l gave the office; and
then placed him in the dock, and there
he stood smiling impudently at the in
spector.
"What is the charge?" demanded the
inspector, for he didn't like such familiarity.
''Stealing coat from the back kitchen OF
the Jolly Farmers, sir"
Scarcely had finished my speech than
Arthur, uttering yell of rage, attempted
to leap the rail and get at me; but the po-
licemen were on to him, and he was soon
handcuffed and his boots taken off. Then
such torrent of abuse followed as never
heard in my life before. Of course the cyl
dence convicted him. Harry swore to the
coat, which was rather damaged in the tls-
sic, and there was the piece of cotton on
the button. So, through my means, the
strongest thief have ever known was
caught by thread.