Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-01-18

| scarcely more than HaII Oh tne previous
days earnings.
Putting his hand into that inner
pocket, he drew out the gold piece and
gazed at it enviously.
II can't stand it any longer" he
muttered, al must spend it. Little
Jack paint-box is all worn out, and
I'd reckoned on buying him new one
to-day"
"It would be such surprise to him,
poor little chap"
"I'n get it uptown, though" he
| added. "Paint-boxes Is cheaper mp
| there"
So, restoring the gold-piece once
more to his pocket, and buttoning up
his coat, he walked on.
Before long he had reached the same
corner where he had BACKED the gem
tleman's boots.
Looking down towards the elevated
station he stopped in his walk.
"It's awfully windy a-walking way up
home to night" he said, ''and I've half
a mind TO go up in the tram.
IF I'm going to spend the gold piece
can afford it for once"
Turning down the street he was soon
at the station, and just in time to catch
an up-going train.
The cars were very crowded, and Tim
had to stand up by the door.
Looking forward, whom should he
see, also standing, but the gentleman
who had given him the gold piece.
Tim started.
Here was a chance to return the
money. Should he give it back to the
gentleman, or should he get out of the
train at the next station and keep it?
If he kept it he could get little Jack
the paint-box, and have quite balance
over.
He could almost see the glad face of
his little brother as he would hand him
the box.
Then, on the other hand, if he re-
turned it, ten to one he would receive
small thanks for it; and what with the
slim profits of the days work, he would
have hardly enough money to buy little
Jacks and his own frugal supper.
The train Just now ran into n station,
the gateman shouted the name of the
street, and the cars came to a standstill.
Tins mind was made up; he was just
about to leave the car when, turning TO
cast a glance at the banker, he noticed
for the first time familiar figure stand
ing near that gentleman.
jimmy he muttered under his
breath, eff there amt sly Sam"
"a young pickpocket like him, whose
been to BlackweIls Island as often as
he has, DONE mean no good in a crowd
like this
"He will bear watching, he will"
"Sly SAM" as he was called, moved
closer to the gentleman, who was read
ing an evening paper.
Tim, between the desire to get away
with the money and the desire to pre-
vent robbery did not know what to
do.
While he fingered the train went on
again.
As it turned the curve into Murray
Street, Tim saw the thief's hand slide
into the bankers vest pocket.
Hes going to do 1t, }" said Tim TO
himself in great excitement, "and I'd
be doing it, too, if went off with the
money"
'"Ihere'd be two of us then"
'1'u spoil his game, though" and
springing forward, he canght the bank
er's sleeve with one hand and the thief
with the other.
"Say, mister" he shouted, "this
here feller is trying to hook your
watch"
Tins words created a good deal of
confusion, and people felt instinctively
in their watch pockets.
Some OF the passengers seized "Sly
Sam," while he himself, frightened and
very pale, tried effectuaily to prove his
innocence by throwing the guilt upon
| Tim.
At the next station the pickpocket
was taken in charge by policeman,
and subsequently was given the oppor-
tun1ty to board, at the public's ex-
pense, at that faYorite resort of charac-
ters of his type, Blackwell's Island.
Wnen the confusion was over, and
the banker saw that his watch was safe
and uninjured, he turned to find the
boy who had saved it.
He had not far to look, for Tim was
/ already by his side, and, before Mr..
Montague had time to speak, the boot
black cried out:
81 say, mister, you're the gent whose
boots / blacked the other night; and
you gave me two dollar'n half gold
piece instead of cent.
"Here it Is, and Tim handed it over
Mr.. Montague was silent for some
seconds, while he mechanically took
the coin.
"Well, my boy" he said at length,
kindly, you've done me service to-
night, and won't forget it.
Suppose you cali at my office, No.