Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-07-26

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in the bar alone; SO gave him the
"office," and he knew at once what to
do, for I had told him in my letter.
nodded to some nayvies and labor
ers who were in the bar, and then put
my usual question and got the general
answer.
"You seem to have come a long way,
mate?" said Harry.
you're right, master; L have come
a long way. I'm going up to London
to look for work. I s'pose you amt
got a odd job can do for you, just to
earn shilling or some supper, and a
shake-down in barn p
Harry pretended to be considering,
for he put his elbows on the pewter
counter and rubbed the palms of his
hands over his face as he said:
"Well, I don't know. might find
you something to do. Here, May,
Just come and mind the bar for a mo-
ment."
The girl came, and Harry, coming
from behind the bar counter, opened
the door leading into the passage and
bade me follow him.
No sooner had the door been closed
than Harry turned to me and cried in
a voice of wonder:
"Why, Charlie, how the duse did
you learn to make up so capitally? !?
Pom my word I should never have
known you if it had not been for your
letter. Indeed, then I don't think
should have done sohad you not tipped
me wink"
$50 much the better; but take care
you do not betray me. Take me into
the haunted kitchen for 80 we used
to call the place-and 1 will set to
work directly. Have you new coat
"a valuable one?"
"Yes. But what on earth do you
WduI III lOr
"To bait the trap. Go and get it
for me at once, and bring me reel of
black cotton. Go, and don't ask ques-
tions."
Harry went off full Of wonder, and
speedily returned with the required
articles.
Taking the coat I spread it over the
copper, which, having been recently
whitewashed, showed it up nicely.
| then fastened the end of the reel of
thread to the back buttons Of the coat,
spreading the latter out as If it had
been put there to dry.
"Now, Harry" I said, "you must
keep the women away from this pass
age as much as possible. 1 must have
it; so if any one is there using it, make
some excuse to get them out. Now
will unwind some of this cotton and
place it on the floor, as you sha see.
If you carry out my orders to the
letter, warrant we shall land our fish
tonight. If not, shall be deeply dis
appointed"
| paid out the line, taking care not
to leave too much slack, passed it under
both of the doors, and holding the reel
in my hand sank into the appointed
seat, which luckily was vacant, with
all the air of tired man.
"I'n do the job for you, MASTER" I
said, as if still conversing about the
business, "and be grateful. Let me
rest little while"
do it when you getup tomorrow"
said Harry.
Well, there / sat and smoked, ap-
pearing every now and then to fall off
fast asleep and to wake up with astart
This went on for three hours, when
suddenly 1 felt slight tug at the
thread.
The fish was nibbling, but I dared
not be in hurry. Presently felt a
different movement of the cotton and
knew that the thief was putting the
coat on.
Cautiously put my pipe in my
pocket and then snapped the cotton off
close by the reel. You will wonder
why did that2 Well, how could 1
tell that number Of the low fellows
in the bar might not have been his
pals, and if I had been quick enough
to open the door, dash down the
passage, open the second door and
arrest him, they would have made
rescue and most likely smashed the
whole bar. Again, I should not have
been quick enough to have arrested
him. He would have bolted. and
thieves are generally good runners; he
would have had good start Of me.
and I made little doubt that he knew
the country thoroughly. which I did
not, and so would have been sure to
escape. That would not have done
FOR mel meant to make sure Of my
man.
So, staggering from the chair, I
slyly showed Harry the reel, and
growing out, "Tn be back directly,
guvnor," rolled out of the house in
the manner of drunken man.
Once clear of the door, I turned
down the lane which I have described
as running to the river, for l knew
that the thief having got clear of the
house would make for the bridge, come