The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-01-25
FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.

FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.
When young married clerk sudden
ly loses his situation in a 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
uable-namely, her husbands boots.
"The children must liye,n said the
young man, looking at two tiny figures
in the bed; sand 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!r
1--WE 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 81 Co. tomorrow" she said.
Every likely" responded Tom, in a
responding 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 q shabby waterproof
and bonnet, and covered her face with
a 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. II
was one of those old Westminster
streets which are so close to the dwell
ings OF the great, and yet dirty and
disreputable 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-otf'' clothing was pur-
chased. She paused few doors off to
lot some persons 90 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.
"G50 Reward"
FIFTY poundsP How nice to get it!'
thought Mrs. Craven, and then she took
another look to see il 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-
ton as would lead to the conviction of
the perpetrator of daring Jewel rob-
berry.
"Wish | could catch the thiefr' said
Clara to herself, half laughing, half
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 a few OF the absolute necessaries
of life, and ordered some Goals, which
a greengrocer's boy wheeled in a bar
row behind her until they reached the
door of the clearinghouse.
would you mind CARRYING them up
to my room in two basketsful if I give
you twopenceP" 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 this
out otherroom 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 man
had squeezed himself into corner un-
observed; and when she went on her
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 snug glow of fire
warmed the young couple and their
children; and the latter, having been
satisfied with meal, went sound asleep.
Tom watched his wife's busy finoers
mending shabby clothes for awhile: and
Nhen he, too, went to bed, sharing her
teryent hope that something would
turn up tomorrow
And so it came about that, when all
were fast asleep, Clara sat on by the
fire that still burned cheerily; and after
eleven strokes had fallen SLOWLY from
the big clock, and the restless roar OF
traffic was somewhat less in the ever
busy streets, her hands lay idle in her
lap, and she blew out the candle to save
Its light for another time, and turned
such a sad young face, such troubled
blue eyes, upon the Pickering fire that
it seemed hard, hard so young a life
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 which
made sounds easily heard. Clara knew
that their neighbor was an elderly
woman; she had met her on the staiss
sometimes, and she wondered who her
visitor. could be at such an hour. Then
the sound of frightened sobbing and
expostulation made her listen attentive
", for she feared her neighbor was in
trouble, and determined to rouse her
husband, ii necessary.
Not yet, Joe! Oh, don't say you
must 90 YETI
Mother, I've stayed too long al
ready. They'll be after me sharp now
the rewards out! Think Of ESQ,
mother! The men who tempted me,
and got the Jewels, would round on me
now and get the reward, y