Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-01-25
FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.


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FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.
When young married clerk sudden
ly loses his situation in n provincial
bank where employers are reducing
their hands, it does not follow that
work can be had for the asking in Lon
don; and so Mr.. Tom Craven found
himself still seeking employment many
months after his savings had dwindled
down to few pounds. The last re-
source of the young couple was the sale
of every available article of value they
possessed, and when my story opens
young Mrs Craven was on the point of
starting to sell the last remaining val
liable namely, her husbands boots.
1.-The children must livc," said the
young man, looking ut two tiny figures
in the bed; land all my other clothes
are done for, so the boots are no use to
me. The only trouble is that you
should have to take them, Clara"
But, Tom, you cant go without
boots!"
"rve got slippers" replied Tom.
make haste, dear-no one will see you
in the dark
Resolved to keep up, Clara stopped
for the boots. Something must turn
up soon-perhaps you'll hear from
Brown & Co. tomorrow" she said.
VERY likely" responded Tom, in
desponding tone. Brown and Co. were
his late employers, and he had written
to them asking if they could possibly
take him back-with faint hopes of
success.
Quickly the boots were put into an
old leather bag, and Mrs. Craven
dressed herself in shabby waterproof
and bonnet, and covered her face with
thick veil. Then she crept down the
creaking old stairs and out into the mar
row street with heavy heart, and eyes
into which the tears would come. 1t
was one of those old Westminster
streets which are SO close to the dwell
ings of the great, and yet dirty and
disrepuable themselves. The respect
able persons dwelling there had all been
reduced to the depths of poverty. The
other inhabitants were chiefly remark
able for their varied vices.
Gusts of wind made the street lamps
flicker and cast strange shadows as
Clara Craven sped on towards the shop
where "left-off'' clothing was pur-
chased. She paused few doors of to
let some persons go on their way, for
she was sorely ashamed of her errand
and rs she stood thus her eyes fell on a
placard that was fixed under the light
of lamp on the wall of police station.
"f5O Reward"
Fifty poundsp How nice to get it!''
thought Mrs Craven, and then she took
another look to see if the coast was
clear for the business she had in hand.
Two more people were coming. Back
went her eyes to the placard, and she
read that this reward was offered to any
person who would give such informa.
tion as would lead to the conviction OF
the perpetrator of daring jewel rob.
berry.
''Wish could catch the thief!' said
Clara to herself, half laughing, hall
sadly; and when she looked again
towards the wardrobe shop she saw she
might venture in. After hearing her
husbands boots deprecated in every
possible manner, she timidly accepted
the pitiful, price offered, and then stole
back into the street, where she pur.
chased few of the absolute necessaries
of life, and ordered some Goals, which
grcengrocer's boy wheeled in bar.
row behind her until they reached the
door of the lodging-house.
"Would you mind carving them ur
to my room in two basketsful, If l give
you twopence?" asked Clara, gently.
The boy nodded by way Of answer
and the young wife opened the door
with her latch-key, and ran up for an
old basket. While she was getting thi.
out other room man had swiftly entered
the. house and passed up the stairs
The coal-boy never noticed him, for his
back was turned to the door, and he
was eagerly watching the signs of an
approaching fight between two tom-cats
on an opposite doorstep. The stair
case was very dark, so when Clara
came down with the basket the maj
had squeezed himself into a corner un
observed; and when she went on hel
way, the stranger passed on to the top
of the house, and entered the room be
hind that occupied by the Cravens.
An hour later n snug glow of fir,
warmed the young couple and theil
children; and the latter, having beer
satisfied with meal, went sound asleep
Tom watched his wife's busy finger,
mending shabby clothes for awhile; anc
then he, too, went to bed, sharing hei
fervent hope that something woult
turn up tomorrow"
And so it came about that, when al
were fast. asleep, Clara sat on by the
fire that still burned cheerily; and afteI
eleven strokes had fallen slowly from
the big clock, and the restless roar O
traffic was somewhat less in the eve
busy streets, her hands lay idle in he
lap, and she blew out the candle to say,
its light for another time, and turned
such sad young face, such troubled
blue eyes, upon the Pickering fire tina
t seemed hard, hard so young lif
should be so old in sorrow.
A sound of voices in the next room
reused her. There was door of com
munication between the two rooms
which was Of course locked, but whicl
made sounds easily heard Clara kney
that their neighbor was an elderl,
woman; she had met her on the stair,
sometimes, and she wondered who he
visitor could be at such an hour Thel
the sound of frightened sobbing an,
expostulatlon made her listen attentive
ly. for she feared her neighbor was Il
trouble, and determined TO rouse he
husband, Ii necessary.
mot yet. Joe! Oh, don't say yo
must go yetp'
Mother, I've stayed too long al
ready They II be after me sharp, nov
Lie rewards out! Think OF f5C
mother. The men who tempted me
md got the jewels, would round on m
9w aud ger thH reward,