The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-02-07
BILL SMILEY'S SCARE.


Bill Smiley was ight-fngered, en-
terprising young man, who improved
his leisure by appropriating other peo-
ples property whenever he got the
chance. He was jobbing carpenter by
trade, but his chief occupation was that
d o railway theft. The method he
adopted was to travel short distances
on the different suburban lines, with
the eobject of picking up stray umbrel-
las, handbags and other portable ar
ticles which were insufliciently guarded
by their owners. He had an innocent
way Of rushing from railway carriage
Just as the train was moving off, seiz-
ing, in his hurry and confusion, some
body else's nat-box or umbrella. from
the rack On the comparatively rare
occasions when his mistake was dis
covered before it was too late to rectify
It, his profuse apologies were generally
accepted with more or less credulity.
But, as rule, he managed to get clear
away with his spoil, and, so skillfully
and cautiously did he conduct his oper-
atoms, that he has never yet been con-
yicted, though he was painfully con-
scious that the police had their eye
upon him.
One evening, feeling inclined for n
little excitement, he took third-class
ticket at the Charing- Gross station on
the District Railway, London, and
strolled down on the platform. Keep
ing sharp lookout as he lounged about
waiting for train to the West End, his
attention was attracted by the suspi-
cous demeanor of tall Yankee-look-
ING man, who seemed anxious to avoid
observation, and made his way to the
far end of the Station. He carried q
carpet-bag, which he carefully placed on
the ground, while he walked up and
down in front of it. Bill remarked
that, when any one chanced to ap-
proach, the man mounted guard over
the carpet-bag in very resolute man
ner. He tried the experiment himself,
and felt convinced that the contents of
the bag must be valuable. AS the re-
suit OF deliberate observation, he came
tOthe conclusion that the mysterious
stranger was not easy in bis mind about
having the bag in his possession, from
which it was not difficult to surmise
that be had not come by it lawfully.
While these reflections were crossing
bllls mind, train came into the
station, and, in the midst of the confu-
sion which ensued, he saw the stranger
take step forward and accost pass
ng guard. A few words were ex-
changed between them, during which
Bill yielded to a sudden impulse which
prompted MIN to seize hold of the
strangers bag and make off with it.
:. before there was chance of his de-
hnquency. being dicovered, Bill had
ieaped into the train, which was already
0eginnlng to move. He felt little bit
dlsmayed at what he had done, for he
was accustomed to act with much more
ercumspection. The chances were that
Ihe stranger would Immediately COM
halnlcate his loss to the railway Off
elais, Who would at once telegraph
oewn the line. This uncomfortable
prospect caused Bill to break into a
sola perspiration, for familiarity with
ue danger of being apprehended for
toooery had not bred contempt for the
pIueai. But by degrees he began to
Ssealhe more freely as he recollected
ale Strangers evident reticence. If,
y blH suspected, the man had reasons
os aeslrlng to conceal his identity, he
gnt prefer to put up with his loss
FIaer than create disturbance.
Dut still Bill did not feel at all COM
lluTseaole, and he fastened to stow the
'aaer the seat, so that it might not
suaet The attention of the guard in
vise ms ne was warned to look out for it.
y. mqls ne was thus occupied the passen-
s0,.a5 srasho was seated opposite to him OBJ
@sved facetiously:
rhat amt dynamite, is it, mate?"
No, replied Bill, with grin,
so n'ousn ne was secretly vexed at his
a'ements 4. having been noticed. Its
Th.sst wal I'm agoin' to wear tonight
w"Ia lsa Ihave supper with the Prince of
h.nsi s'es and the rest of the royal fami-
nasl nab strange to say, the facetious re-
psaa.,'e ,sa u ms fellow-passenger made an
SmSILlllortable impression upon Bill
yssn py suggesting to his mind
bMS. alsqmetlng suspicion. He had
ta;aes t;s'q assumed that the bag con-
N, boa = tailahles of some kind orother;
ac.n.1 va mat point, of course, he had no
bSsA b;nsA knowledge. Now he came to
hpts " " II It was possible that the con-
eOt s,Oa tne bag might be very differ
This NV Wlat he had bargained for.
om;,a" sie" OF the question assumed an
a vas significance when he recollect-
bis os's,! a,e ae!mleanor of the stranger and
sam;,,sla appearance. Bill was
reca,,. ra,,eT, Z llke' every one else, with the
srssadsnl,an a senlan outrages. Supposing the
who 49, sssssoaelSonged to the dastardly gan q
Ostiosn sshe about causing death and des,
Rill " means of internal machines,
'0uld not help shifting uneasily