The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-09-29


lueerly pleasant feeling, as though the
unds were really his own, was not without
is influence. Perhaps she had not posted
as soon as usual, or maybe there had
'een some delay in the mails.
The next day was Saturday, and the
morning was spent with another fellow
ooking over fishing-tackle, and the after
I Iss m Frs SANS oss lsss
when6t he returned home so tired that all
he could do was to eat his supper and go to
bed. The letter never came into his head
at all 1t did not Sunday, either, and Mon
day he did not get home till late, having
stayed after school for an editorial meet
ing. Then the matter was recalled by a
trifie with no apparent connection, as often
happens. An open paper was lying on the
dining-room table, where DR.. Grey had
flung it as he was called off to see patient
in an epileptic fit; and in large capitals at
the head of one column, were the words:
GREAT BANK ROBBERY.
EMBEzzLEMENT OF FUNDS BY TRUSTED
OFFICIAL.
A Long Course Of Systematic Peculati0R!
Facts Of the D0Un,cdrd Course.
Bobby did not stop to read details, for
strangely enough, at that moment he re-
membered Aunt Melissa's letter, and for
getting dinner and everything else, rushed
upstairs to see if it had come. Hewallzed
down-forit had not.
And then he did begin to worry. He
could settle to nothing, but roamed about
as though possessed of the spirit
of the Wandering Jew, quarreled
with Rose, was cross to his mother, and
went to bed at half-past seven to avoid
meeting his father. The next day was one
of such torment that he wondered it did
not turn his hair white. 1t seemed as
though everything conspired against him.
He failed in geometry, was spoken to by
the French professor for his unaccountable
blunders and inattention, and was kept
after school by the favorite history teacher
because coming in after recess with his cap
on, through forgetfulness.
He did not dare say anything about the
missing letter, for with the curious lack of
logic so often displayed by a guilty con-
science, it appeared to him that any dis
play of anxiety on his part would tell ev-
erythlng. Even when Rose sympathet-
icallv said:
Nv here do you suppose your present can
be? think its so funny of Aunt Melissa"
cares" and begun whistling captain
John"
But don't you think it will Gomez" per-
sisted Rose.
"How do know" Bobby began to lose
his temper. "What's the odds if she don't?
can get along without her old money!"
ut would be just like her to take it into
unaware she was torturing her brother
'She can't have forgotten. don't believe
she's going to this year"
Bother Aunt Melissa Can't you let her
drop" Bobby was downright angry now.
Its none of your business anyway"
well, then, | hope it won't come"
said Rose, veXed in turn. "Glad of it,
too. Papa said the bonds, or leases, or
something or other of Aunt Melissa's Chi
cago railroads, had dropped, and that she
was probably half crazy even if she has such
a lot of money. know it won't come now,
and serve you right, too!
Rose was so provoking. But though
Bobby glared furiously at her, feeling for
one brief instant that wild anger that
could hesitate at nothing, she did not know,
then or after, how her words cut. He
vent on singing the last song of the Glee
Club, Captain john"
1t was Tuesday then, and a business
meeting was to be held after school the
following Thursday. He shut himself up
IN his room and counted the money over.
Iwenty-three dollars and a quarter. He
mad spent more in small sums, as the eX-
pected twenty-five would cover everything.
Without clearly knowing why he did it,
but with sinking feeling at his heart, and
a sudden rush of what, if he had been away
from home, he would have called s'home-
Sickness" he poured the money into his
pocket, and then he went out, still whist
ling captain John" The words had
somehow taken possession of his brain,
underneath the dizzy whirl of thought, like
Mark Twain's horse-car refrain:
Nive lie John,
Vlve lie John,
Nive lie Captaine John!
And bon
haps his trouble had really unhinged his
mind a little; perhaps kind of frenzy
had come over him, in which he lcOuld not
think; perhaps the possession of so much
as he was to the article
made him dizzy; perhaps he had got strung
up to such pitch that, desperate, ne had
resolved to be 'hung for an old sheep was
better than being hung for lamb" per-
maps IL was that singular thing scientific
men have agreed to call kleptomania; per-
haps-and this is the likeliest perhaps of
all-lt was induced by state of mind that
not even scientific men could clearly ex-
plain,
He went first to Buffum's, where he
bought five pounds of powder, some shot
and revolver. The revolver was some.
thing he had longed to own since lone
clothes, and as he put the pretty SHINING
thing in his pocket, he felt that one of the
ambitions of his life was fulfilled. Then
he strolled along High Street till he came
TO the one stationery and fancy goods
store, and after prolonged survey of the
window and deliberate selection of
several articles therein displayed. he
bought dog-whip, Russia leather
pocket inkstand, a belt and a pocket
book. He met Jack Forbes as he was
coming out, and greeting him cheerilv.
they went together to look at some pups a
man had for sale, Bobby finally engaging
one at three dollars, agreeing to cali for II
in day or two. Then he invited his
friend into George Bill Watson's for an ice
cream-strawberry and chocolate mixed
and further treated to cream cakes, pickles
and Washington pie. All the while he was
happy as king, displayed his purchases
and talked about them, and walked half
way home with Jack, laughing and talking
and eating walnut taffy.
And then he went home, straight to his
own room, and sat down and thought.
Perhaps none of the men whose "defalca-
tions" have amounted to thousands suffered
on the eve of discovery, or it may be when
they realized their crime for the first time.
as Bobby Grey did forthat hour. Bows are
apt to be stern judges, and boyish codes of
honor are strict To come before his friends
how queer he should all of sudden be
afraid of them-and say: 81 have not the
money" He could not do it. 1t may have