The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-05

Htl.
Sent for your" Col. Bonds eyebrows
arched in surprise.
Certainly; I'm Sneakwell, the detect
i've"
Pardon me, Nh sneakweli, your face
is now to me. There IA a little matter
would like to have you look INTO
"No harm done, colonel. What can
do for you?'
Last evening about dusk was
knocked down on Liberty street ana
robbed of au old timepiece. The watch
would only he worth old gold to a
stranger; but | value 1t as keepsake.
II see. colonel. Describe the man that
slugged you.' ,
,He was dressed like workman, had
full beard, and was about my own
height, should judge"
ANY pecuIiaritiest'
"None that ! observed"
what color was his hair;'
"a really cant say
Blue ewes, black, brownr
"There YOU have me, Mr.. Sneakwell.
Understand, I was angry and 1t was
growing dark can recall very little Of
the man appearance. The only striking
thing about him was his fist.
Mr.. Sncakwell cogiiated, measured the
distance to the cuspidore with his eye,
and spat at it with official gravity, miss
ing it as before.
"Did the man carry a dinner bucketT
no asked.
No"
"You was i'm big crowdt'
Yes"
We'll, colonel, it just this way: You
was III a crowd, you can't describe the
man closely, you don't know which way
he went or whether he had any pals All
you know is he handled his fists like a
good 'un. You couldn't testify that he
robbed you. Very well; the clew Is
slight, but III work ii up. You re In
good hands, colonel; don't fret. Give
me little time and leave it all to me.
III get your watch"
Il sincerely hope so, Mr., Sneakwell.
Have a cigar
"Will /? Never known to refuse. GOOD
day. colonel"
Col Bond. albeit a little brusque and
hasty at times, was man of naturally
generous impulses. He allowed Dir.
Sneakwell abundance Of time That
worthy man frequently called at his Office
in hopeful frame of mind, expectorat-
ing free y on rugs and carpets, and In
one instance deluglng the office cat in
mistake for the cuspidore. But the watch
Wac not found. Clew after clew was
worked up, but nothing came of it. The
newspaper advertisement was quite as
unsuccessful. Col. Bond grew discour-
aged.
Meantime law had resumed its sway in
the Iron City. and business went on inits
old chandels. The momenious days OF
the riots became part Of history, with
less and less said about them.
On opening his mail one morning in
August, Col Bond found curiousiy ad-
dressed letter, written in crude and ir-
regular hand II said:
To Conl Bond:
DERE sUR-Mi Boy tom is sick Of
Feaver he talks About yO and ses hes got
some Thing of yores hes very sick raves
sometimes wish yo could cum to see
Him hv at No % --- Ally hi old
man WORKED i'll yore Mil ded now theas
fore yers. with Crate respect, yore
friend, NANCY WELSH.
Col Bond. was mystifed. What did
il meant He had never heard of such a
person as Nancy Welsh, He learned
that a man named Welsh had worked in
the mill; but it had been years before.
He laid the letter aside III his desk, and.
engrossed in other matters. soon forge;
all about it,
In few days the poStman brought
another letter, addressed in the same
hand Curionsly he opened it and read;
DEEE Sur, mi Boy Is wors He wants 10 be 20
cum sumo god Knows what ii do If tom dies
Don't tac this Letter up Conl Bond for toms
sake cum god vii bless w for 1t.
yore friend, NANCY Wish.
The colonel thought the matter over
"Why shouldn't ! COZ he said. The
poor woman Is evidently i'll trouble. III
walk up To the place and look at it.. "
In one of the moanest quarters Of the
city be found No. % ---- alley. He
stopped in front of the house, hesitating
Dirty children were playing in the alley
a venerable goat was chewing papers in
the gutter, A woman appeared on uhc
doorstep.
God bless you, Col Bondr' she said.
Come in"
He had never seen the woman before;
but he went IN The room he entered
was mean and small.
tom is up stairs, sir, said the wo-
man. He kept a saying you'd come.
sir. VIII you come upi He'll be SO
gladN'
With curiosity excited, the colonel fol-
lowed her, as she led the way up dark
and narrow flight of stairs. Ho was
ushered into room darkened SO that he
could distinguish very little.
"Col. Bond is here, Tom" said the
mother. e.
A weak voice answered:
"Let me see him, mother"
a blind was raised just little, and
Col. Bond saw the sick boy lying on a
bed in corner Of the room. The thin
and feverish face was that of stranger;
but there was smile of welcome Oh it,.
~ knew you'd come, sir, said the
boy, with breathing pause between
each word. Mother said no; but
looked for you
aaHoxx lonnr has thu lffla falln,x, h.an