The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-02-07
BELLEVUE, La, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Z, 1884.

fortunately the constable still seemed
| to have his doubts about him. When
Bill glanced over his shoulder he per-
ceived that the officer was strolling
leisurely after him, apparently for the
purpose of keeping him in view. This
vigilance was especially embarrassing,
for it compelled him to avoid any APP
pearance of haste, and prevented him
from carrying out his design of depos-
iting his burden on the first convenient
doorstep.
Half dead with sheer fright, and in a
fever of suppressed excitement, Bill
made his way in the direction of Vie
toria Street, holding the bag with the
utmost tenderness, yet longing to drop
it and take to his heels. On turning
shortly, however, he perceived that the
policeman was still steadily following
in his wake. Probably the truth was
that the officer was only pursuing his
beat, and had forgotten Bill long ago.
But unfortunately, this soothing refec-
tion did not occur to Bill at the moment,
and, in his desperation, he availed him
self of an expedient which suddenly
presented itself. The street door of a
house happened to open just as he was
passing, and q maid servant came out
on the doorstep and looked up and
down the street. Before she had per-
ceived him, Bill had coolly placed the
bag in her hands, and was preparing to
hurry away.
''Hi!'' exclaimed the girl. "What is
this?"
''For your MASTER" answered Bill,
over his shoulder.
81 amt got no master. Hi! stopr'
cried the girl, raising her voice as he
vanished.
81 say, mate, somebody's calling of
your said an officious errand boy, as
Bill plunged across the road.
eli! Stop there! You're wantedr'
cried another passer-by, in stentorian
tones.
There seemed to his excited imagin-
alton q general disposition on the part
of the by-standers to impede his flight,
and he hastily concluded that it would
be wiser to yield to the hue and cry.
He would stick to his story that he had
been told to leave the bag at that par
ticular house, and he probably would
succeed in making the girl believe him.
With this object he retraced his steps,
gathering assurance as he walked, but,
as ill-luck would have it, who should
stroll up at the same moment but his
vigilant enemy, the constable.
"Hil You've made a mistake. This
doesn't belong here. There is no name
on it, said the girl, as he approached.
"What is the matter?" inquired the
constable, in casual way.
80! nothing. I've made mistake,
l suppose, as the young lady says so,"
answered Bill, hastily.
He mechanically held out his hand
for the bag as he spoke, but failed to
grasp the handle, and it fell through
his fingers on to the ground. Bill
started back In CONSERVATION, fearing
his last moment had come, and stimuli
taneously he felt himself collared by the
constable.
"Hullo! young fellow. What does
this mean?" exclaimed the officer.
Bill, who had closed his eyes in an
agony of apprehension, yentured to
open them again, and perceived that
the shock of the fall had burst open the
bag, the contents of which were scat
tered upon the doorstep. To his amaze
ment, they consisted of miscellaneous
collection of silver plate and jewelry,
which made quite an imposing display.
The articles had evidently been bun
died unceremoniously into the bag, and
were, no doubt, the proceeds of some
recent robbery.
| The constable naturally concluded
that it was his duty to escort Bill to the
nearest police station to make the nee
essary explanations. During the Jour-
ney, Bills reflections inclined to bitter
ness as he realized how foolishly he had
abandoned rich prize. The metallic
rattle which had startled him had been
due to careless packing, and, altogether,
he perceived that he had fallen a vic
tim to senseless scare. Needless to
say, his ingenious story of having re-
ceived the bag from a nameless
stranger was not considered satisfac-
tory, and as the valuables were identi-
| fled by pawnbroker in the Strand,
whose premises had been burglariously
entered during the evening, Bill re-
ceived the full credit of the transaction
and was rewarded accordingly.