The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-07-04
A Just Punishment.

Just funlBumeuts
Mr.. Abednego Jones Thoughts that he
would plAy Joke on his friend Patter-
son, the merchant The other Day
AbedneRo went into Pattersof's room
% speak, TO him concerning . matter Of
business, and seeing new par OF pant.
aloons lying across achair, he chuckled
md said:
"By George. I'll have Pat on his
nesd.i I'll take these psnts and, he'll
think that some one has stolen them"
He took the trousers and carried them
to his own room. Shortly afterwards,
while Abednego was standing in the
hallway, Patterson came along and
said rather excitedly:
"Have you seen anybody come out Of
my roomP" 4. -
Eyes, cav fellow come out just now
with 3 bundle Of something under his
| arm.''& z IS ~ sSk FER az =
That's the feller."
"What fellerg'l .1l-o TGG1A
.sThe Teller that stole my new pants.
just paid eighteen dollars for them.
Wish 1 could catch him. It's just my
luck. wanted to 60 away on a little
trip and wanted to wear them"
Patterson went back into his room
and Abednego caught hold of the ban
listers and laughed. '.Tn -give'em; hack
to him in day or two" he infused.
''He's always playing pranks on feiler
and I'll teach him lesson"
Patterson went to the chief OF police
and made q statement, requesting him
to secure the, thief if possible. 81 am
going away to day. said he, sand if
you catch the thief beyond q doubt,
why deal with him to the full extent OF
the law" que IT,.
The chief employed q 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
tleman hold up and examine pair OF
trousers. His suspicious were aroused,
and entering the room, he said, :.
where did you get them trousersP
"None of your business" ~
| "Ain't is?" "a AN T.. Nex -
mo, it amt"
swell. it just is. What's your
name! Viz ROOM. IE. EGti9.0"
None Of your business" A w.
"Ain't it?'' '."'''"o .''"'
"No, It ain't. 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
rocking.chair. smoking acigarette.
| "Cap'n, l want you"
"Yes, confound your ugly mug, and
1 want you. Iwant you to get out Of
my room" .-----------.-.,-------
| "rn get out, Cap'n, but I'll have to
take you with me-" and the detective
read the warrant"
"Thnt's only a joke said Abednego.
..Is ftp" F.'Nst iisi A
'sOf course it is.'' ......r ,......-..
"Well. come on up to the City Hall,
and we'll see.''
IL shall do no such thing"
"Won't youp" and the officer seized
the young man and snapped pair Of
handouts on him. He begged piteous
w, 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 t.
J Jail to await trial. Every effort to reacf
Patterson by telegraph failed, anc
Abednego was compelled to remain in :
cage among q party OF criminals. Th'
morning paper contained a 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 pape
went on to say that the proof was direct
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 o
dress, and said that many of his friends
had long suspected his dishonesty. Mis-
Lorenzo Miles, the prospective wife o
the young man, sent him note break
! ing the engagement. and in cruel word
!, said: 'NIy father has never had any Ut
for You, believing you to be thief.
When Patterson returned the matte
was explained and the young man wa
+: liberated, but his former friends per
4 sistently refuse to recognize his limo
cence. 1t is great pity that all prac
teal iokers do not receive similar re
: ward. -4rkaasaW frareter.