The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-08
The Crook IN susnmer Quarters.


The New York Sun reporter, who en-.
Joys the confidence of the boss crook.
had occasion recently to go TO POUCH
keepsie. As he emerged from the sta
ton be saw. to his surprise, the boss
crook on the opposite side of the street.
The recognition was mutual and the
reporter looked up and down the street
for the assistant crook.
''You won't find him here, y said the
boss crook. Hes doing the seaside
resorts and I'm working inland. When
we need change, Iii take the seaside
and he the rurals. But l am not in
any hurry. This is paradise.
he looked prosperous. A brand new
Mackinaw hat. with a polka-dot band,
was set jauntily on one side Of his head;
be wore q trig suit of Canada gray and
laced patent leather pumps. Moreoy er
he was smoking a very fragrant Ha-
Yana. Get them up from New York
by the hundred" he said, rs he held
out handsome cigar case to the re-
porter.
yes" he added, to emphasize his
tribute to Poughkeepsie, this is para
disc, / assure you."
t.How's thate" asked the reporter.
There may be plenty of country green
horns here, but they're at home and no
good to you. -
''My dear fellow" was the deprecat-
ing reply. Il don't operate on the ma
tiYes; operate on New Workers"
''You don't mean New Workers who
pass through here on their way to sum-
mer resorts, or New Workers who are
summering in the neighborhoodp"
mo, ] don't mean New Workers
who stay in New York. I've got line
that l can play from here and have the
hook and bait wriggling in the city.
Plenty of fools rise to it. One fool rose
to it day before yesterday and took the
hook so well that expect to land him
here this evening-land him right here
mind you. never expected to see you
come out Of the depot when that train
arrived. l was expecting highly re-
spectacle elderly gentleman-one of
those gentlemen who admire the art of
motion as expressed in the ballet. By
the by" he said hesitatingly and with
some reluctance, you're not the fellow
who sent a note enclosing a $40 bill up
this way addressed to 'Eloise, are you?
Because if you arc" Here he fun
bled in his vest pocket, as if looking for
q bill.
The reporter courteously suggested
that in this instance the boss crook was
o fool.
well, 1 guess 1 am, he said. On
ly you ought not to put it quite so
strongly. I'm entitled to considerable
courtesy. | am not the same person
you saw about ten days ago in New
York. I'm q young lady who has just
graduated from Vassar, and seeks the
acquaintance of an honorable gentle
man who will assist her in preparing
for the stage"
''Oh, you're 'Eloise?'"
you've just hit it. And being Elo-
Use is very remunerative. By the way,
did you ever see me?" He whisked
half a dozen photographs of jaunty
young blonde out of his pocket
''Pretty, isn't she? I've sent half
dozen of them off to New York in the
last two days. They always fetch the
car fare to ENABLE 'Eloise' to go to New
York and have an interview with the
party who is willing to assist her to en-
ter upon histrionic career. The num-
Der of generous, open hearted lovers of
the art of acting is truly wonderful.
..But what of the ancient you are ex-
pecting this EVENING"" interrupted the
reporter.
s'Well, he is rare one. He sent
SO bill for 'Eloise' to invest in bon
bons and ice-cream, and wrote that
he'd be up to-day to have a chat with
her at the station between his arrival
and the afternoon express down. Ira
Their thought he'd be up on your train,
but think he's on the express that's
now"
A moment later the express glided
INTO the station. Gradually those who
lad arrived dispersed. When all was
Iuiet there emerged from the station
ioor an old man, slight in figure, with
narrow shoulders and head. He wore
gold trimmed spectacles, and sucked
the head Of gold-knobbed cane. He
ooked around with eager expectation.
A country girl had drawn up to the
curb opposite in a gig. The old man
ook second pair of spectacles out of
/ case, adjusted them over the FIRST,
md stared so hard at the girl that she
noticed him, and gave an impatient toss
# the head. The old fellow evidently
ook it as signal, rs he started to
ross the street straight towards her.
But he had not gone very far before she
made her whip crack in a manner that
brought him to standstill so suddenly |
hat the jar sent his hat flying of. A
listening pate reflected the glory of
he evening sun. He was discounted,
nd by the time he had picked up his
Iat the gig was rafting around the
orner. He grew very red in the face,
nd as he turned to re-enter the station
lis lips moved rapidly.
II bet he'll be caught again" the
loss crook said. My assistant may
.et him down to the seaside in couple
+ weeks.