St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-07-26
4 Just Punishment.

Mr. ADc0neSO COhCo VIZ" ~
would play joke on his friend Patter-
son, the merchant. The other daX
Abednego went into Patterson room
to speak to him concerning a matter OF
business, and seeing new par OF PAM,
aloons living across achalr, ne chucked
and said:
.sBy George. I'll have Pat on his
head. I'll take these pants and he'l
think that some one has stolen them. =
He took the trousers and carried them
to his own room. Shortly afterwards,
while Abednego was standing III the
hallway, Patterson came along ana
said rather eXcitedly:
"Have you seen anybody come out of
my room?"
eyes, saw fellow come out just now
with q bundle of something under his
arm.''
s'That's the feler."
s'What feller?"
..The teller that stole my new pants.
just paid eighteen dollars for them.
Wish { could catch him. It's just my
luck. wanted to go away on httle
trip and wanted to wear them. .
Patterson went back into his room
and Abednego caught hold OF the ban
listers and laughed. I'm give'em back
to him in a day or two, he unused.
''He's always playing pranks on teller
and I'll teach him a lesson.
Patterson went to the chief OF poilce
and made statement, requesting him
to secure the thief if possible. 81 am
going away to-day" said he, sand II
You catch the thief beyond a doubt,
why deal with him to the full extent OF
the law
The chief employed detective to
take the matter in hand, gave him de-
scription of the property, and told him
to keep the sharpest kind of lookout.
The detective went to Patterson's room
| in the Colinade building, and while
passing Abednego's door, saw that gem
| tIeman hold up and examine pair of
trousers. His suspicious were aroused
and entering the room, he said:
'.Where did you get them trousers"
'.None of your business
s.Ain't it?''
mo, it amt"
sNVell, it just is. What's your
name?n
'sNone of your business. !"
s.Ain't it?''
mo, it amt. Get out of my room"
The detective went down, learned
Abednego's name, and procured war
rant for his arrest. When he again en-
tered the room Abednego was sitting in
a rocking-chair smoking cigarette.
"Cap'n want you. F"
eyes, confound your ngly mug, and
want you. want you to get out OF
my room"
I'm get out, Cap'n, but I'll have to
take you with me. and the detective
read the warrant =
.That' only a JOKE said Abednego.
SIS it?'
':Of course it is
.'Well, come on up to tie City Hall,
and well see. y
II shall do no snch thing"
won't you?n and the officer seized
the young man and snapped pair Of
handouts on him. He begged piteous-
", but the officer led him through the
streets. A large crowd collected, and
the report that the prisoner had com
mitted murder was circulated. The
crowd wanted to mob Abednego. The
young man was taken before Justice
of the Peace He related the story.
how he would play joke on his friend
but no one believed him. He was sent tt
jail to await trial. Every effort TO reacf
Patterson by telegraph failed, anc
Abednego was compelled to remain in {
cage among a party OF criminals. The
morning paper contained long &C
count Of the affair, lamenting the fac
that Abednego Jones, who stood so higl
as Sunday-school teacher, should b
: arrested on such a charge. The papel
wentIon to say that the proof direct
J and that Mr.. Patterson, not wishing t
appear against his former friend, hac
gone away from the city. The evening
paper spoke of Abednego's love Q
dress, aud said that many of his friend
had long suspec ed his dishonesty. Mis-
Lorenzo Miles, the prospective wife 0
the young man, sent him note break
ing the engagement, and in cruel word
said: ''BIy father has never had any US
for you, believing you to be thlef. /"
| When Patterson returned the matte
J was explained and the young man wa
} liberated, but his former friends per
: sistently refuse to recognize his limo
cence. 1t is great pity that all prac
} teal jokers do not receive a similar re
} ward Ark0BsGD IrdUeler.
Tho Rang