Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-01


on it these words: -.,.--s.
"The suspect has been indulging
rather freely in wine, but is all right"
"Send this to Mr.. Wilson," he whis-
pered to clerk and then went down to
the first floor again.
The usual throng was passing in and
out the Fourteenth street doors.
sWhy, how do you do ladiesp Will
Jams said, suddenly stepping up to two
young women.
They were rather overdressed and
their faces though pretty, were marred bya
certain recklessness of expression and by
quantities of paint and powder. They
smiled knowingly, and the taller of the
two said in an amused tone:
"Hello, Ralph"
"Haven't you made mistake ladiesp
said William in calm, quizical tone.
Nobody watching them would have
supposed that he was doing nothing
more than addressing some pleasant re-
mark to the two women.
SITS all right, Ralph" returned the
woman in a deprecating voice; "we're
straight this time. We only want to get
some lace"
"All right" said Williams; "I'll go
along with yon to see that you don't make
any mistake"
The women bit their lips and looked
annoyed, but made no objection. Will
Jams piloted them carefully through the
crowds and saw them make their pur-
chases and depart. He watched them close
ly all the time while he kept up a
running eross-tire of jests. ....
"Who are they, Ralph9" asked floor
walker, as they went out. ,..
"Two of the fyest pickpockets in the
country" was the reply.
Just then his eye rested on woman at
the handkerchief counter and in moment
he was at her side.
"What, Kate again9 Haven't warned
you to keep away"
'I'm on the dead level this time,
Ralph, honest Injun."
She was dumpy, cross-looking
woman, very insignificant in appearance,
''That's all right, Kate, " said Williams
sternly, "but you'll have to go through
the act just the same"
His reply seemed unexpected, and the
woman swore savagely.
"Come, now, careful, Kate, "said Will
Jams, calmly, ''you know won't stanc
much of that"
The woman glared fiercely, but fol-
lowed him nevertheless to one of tht
offices on the second floor. Williams
nodded to woman floor walker and sht
accompanied them.
"Search her," he said, as the doc
closed behind them. "
The floor walker examined the pockets
dress and underwear of the woman. Sh
proved to be walking caravansary
Handkerchiefs, stockings, gloves, toile
articles, pocketbooks and dozens of knick
knacks were drawn from the most wonder
full hiding places. Her dress skirt ha'
been slit underneath some of the folds
and this had enabled her to stick stolel
articles into pockets in her petticoat.
"Search her bonnet" said Williams.
Kate started up as though to resist, bu
glance from. Williams's eyes made he
change her mind, and she sank back int
chair with a muttered curse. A hand
some purse containing $50 was stowe
away just inside the bonnet.
81 didn't get it here, 'pon honol
Ralph" she pleaded.
Williams paid no attention to her, br
watched further the search of the foo
walker and directed her movement
When the search was finished to h
satisfaction he led the thief down stat
! and out of side entrance.
"This is your last warming" he sal
sharply; ''the next time you 60 up"
The woman crept away frightened /
his manner. As he re-entered the stor
Mr.. Wilson came up to him:
"Here is woman who complains tn
r she has lost her pocketbook. 1t has
card marked Mrs. Johnson, and 81
in it." n.
r sMiss Bowling has it," replied Will
;. Jams. just. took it from thief"
;. 1t was now approaching 6 o'clock, u
closing hour. As the hands touched t
y hour Williams took his stand at the fro
e entrance. No more customers were
lowed to enter, and the clerks began pr
- ting their counters into order. In TWEEN
minutes all their customers had left, al
|, the advance guard of the army of ,cler
,e began to pour out of the entrance
which Williams was stationed. Althou
it was evident that he was WATCH
- them to see that none carried out any goc
belonging to the store. he appeared to
:, popular with all. With many he {
~ ~ changed greetings 1t wanted quarter
w. " Z when the last clerk had gone. \
y One he had stopped. She.w a CO
", ~ girl. She had small parcel concea
~ ~ under her dress waist. After all
~. ~ other clerks had gone Williams made
" open the parcel. It contained Il
handkerchief. .......t
=. ''Why did you steal that" Villa
- asked sharply. x.
Lo She burst into tears, and begged p
~ ~ ously to be released, but Williams c
ns as tinued to ply her with questions and
30 30 talk to her severely. Suddenly his m
no no ner changed. He had learned what
~ ~ wanted to know.
81, ID "Don't you know you have been Y
81 81 wicked2" he asked in kind, fatht
sv way.
,ef This made her sob more bitterly t
;et ever. He continued to talk to her. 1t
=. | orett;nr late hut he was determined to