Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-20

tilda," said ], "you will forgive me
for remindingyou that Icannot leave
you even for a moment"
"No need to remind me of that
she answered, in a tone that was not,
to say the least Of it, very compli-
mentary.
We walked down the street togeth-
er, and l, as an elderly gentleman,
felt that / might offer her my arm.
She was capable, / saw, of running
away at any moment, but she did
not run. She sauntered slowly, star
ing at the shops as she went on, and
making remarks about the people we
passed. She carried little bag in
her hand and twirled it as she walk
ed, in q reckless sort of manner.
What happened might have been
expected. AT the turn of the street
young man, dressed in respectable
clothing, darted up and snatched the
bag, and Immediately turned and
fled. However, he did not run far,
for before could utter a word, a
stout policeman had darted from a
shop door, seized the thief and held
him, pale with terror and shaking
like an aspen leaf, until we walked
up.
"Your bag, misses%" asked the po-
liceman.
"Oh, yes" said Matilda. "I'm so
thankful you caught him. Oh, dear!
| felt so dreadfully! Oh, how could
you be so wicked? But perhaps I'd
better let you off, young man, now
I've got the money back"
"See if it is safe, miss" said the
policeman.
Matilda opened the bag. "It's
empty" said she.
"What! Have you played that
gamew said hepoliceman. "You'll
have to come up to the Office, miss,
and make a charge. Well search
him; he must have it about him."
"pll give it up, sir" said the young
man. "Here is the money" and he
handed ten dollar bill to the police
man. ooh, miss, Pm really not an
old offender. Circumstances drove
me to the commission of the crime.
Forgive me?"
"That's all humbug," said the po-
liceman "come along. You follow,
if you please, miss. don't consider
it the duty of good citizens to let such
fellows off, for my part"
"Nor l." said I. "Come on, Miss
Matilda"
The policeman led the way with
the young man. AS we walked be-
hind, particularly noticed that he
had very gentlemanly appearance.
New York thieves often have. My
heart really bled for him. He was
one who should have played a better
part.
We arrived at the station and were
led into asortof private parlor, where
we were asked to wait awhile, the
prisoner being led away by the po-
liceman. l saw the door of the room
in which the justice sat, open; / saw
the prisoner standing before him.
Then it closed with bang. In an
other instant the policeman returned.
"Miss," said he, ellis Honor wishes
to see you alone. Our young man
declares theaffair conspiracy against
him, and you will be questioned sep
arately. No offence, sir"
"None," said 1. Then l beckoned
to the policeman apart and slipped
two dollars into his hand. "Don't
lose sight of the young lady until she
reioins me-" said.
"No, sir; on no account" said he.
And off they went together. They
were gone ten minutes, and returned
as they went. Miss Matilda had
, been weeping.
1.-THE lady's evidence was all suffi-
Gent" said the man.
"Then they have committed him."
said /.
eyes, he's committed" said Ma
tilda. "Oh, poor fellow! I-I'll GO
now, Mr.. Martin"
I led her away. AS we went saw
the policeman grinning after us. ]
couldn't think why.
We said very little as we walked
on, and we were at the dressmaker's
in no time. Now or never would
she battle me. She might escape by
the back door or the roof; how could
/ tell? l refused to allow her to ge
into the next room. / stared at her
while madam-all indignation