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

Mr. Mllllams TOOK positlon some us
tance from the bargain counter, and
leaned against a showcase. To the Gus
toner he looked hike particularly lazy
man, who had wandered into the store
and didn't have energy enough TO get out
of it again. His hat was pulled down on
mis- brows, and be seemed to be lost in
a reverie. Suddenly there was a fash Of
his eyes, and he stepped into the strug-
Cling crowd of bargain seekers.
Madam, he SAID to q tall, angular
woman, who was making bold dive
over the heads of several smaller women
to get piece Of lace, ''your pocketbook
is in danger"
Madam didn't hear, so he touched her
on the shoulder. She turned with o
scowl and glared at him. His Interrupt
ton had made her relinquish the prize
she was seeking just as her fingers were
closing on it.
"How dare you, sir2" she exclaimed,
hotly. 81 don't know you, sir"
"YopFr satchel is open, and your pock-
etbook could easily be stolen," said Mr..
Williams, calmly.
The woman turned pale, and started to
make some remark, but he had already
resumed his former position. He still
seemed to be deeply engrossed in thought
when a handsome, well dressed woman
passed him. Her hands were full of lit
tie parcels, and her purse was slipping
out from between them.
"Pardon me, madam, but you are
losing your purse" said Mr.. Williams.
The lady started, blushed, transferred
her purse to her pocket, and said:
'sThank you" Mr.. Williams bowed and
lifted his hat gallantly. "There's one
lady," he muttered.
Suddenly there was commotion
among the bargain buyers and slight
scream. A pale-faced little. woman had
been squeezed and pushed and hustled
about until she couldn't, stand it any
longer, and had tainted. Mr.. Williams
was on hand in moment. With the
aid of the clerk he carried the unfortu-
nate woman, up stairs to room set apart
for just such emergencies. Then he pro-
cured some ammonia and held it to the
woman's nostrils. That revived her, but
she was weak and nervous, and it re-
quired some diluted brandy to make her
feel we'll enough to sit up in chair. As
soon as she had arrived at that pass Mr..
Williams left her in charge of a girl clerk
and hastened down stairs again.
. He reached the first floor in time to
see that there were more breakers ahead.
The angular woman who had been so
angry when Mr.. Williams reminded heI
of the fact that her satchel was open, had
now lost her pocket book, and was sure
that the clerk at the button counter had
taken it.
"See here, she said to the floor walker,
as Mr.. Williams-came up, "that girl has
taken my pocket-book as sure as yor
live. I laid it on the counter here, and
turned my head for just minute. There
was nobody else near, and when turned
around again the pocket-bock was gone
1t had $17 in it, too" ..-
Here she showed an inclination t.
weep, but her eyes remained dry. Th'
floor walker looked grave, and the girl
a pale, delicate creature, burst into tears
and was rapidly becoming hysterical.
"Now, madam" said Mr.. Williams
ssyou are making very serious charg
against this young girl. She has been
, clerk here for some time, and has alway
borne the best of regulations. Wha
have you to found your charge upon"
The woman frowned. 81 don't know
what business it is of yours" she said.
III am the detective in charge of thi
store," replied Mr.. Williams quietly
'sand I have everything to do with sue
cases. If you can prove your charge
e will arrest this clerk. If you have mad
it without proof then you stand in dan
ger of arrest yourself. Wedo not inten
\ to allow unfounded accusations agains
n our clerks to go unpunished."
: The woman turned pale, and STAN
q mered that she could not understand ho7
n it could be otherwise than she had sale
Mr.. Williams interrupted her with:
n "Have you looked in your pockets!"
ooh, I'm sure it isn't there, for
d left" .... .
" "Look," said Mr.. Williams, SHARPLY.
y The woman stuck her hand into h'
dress pocket, and turned pale as shee
r She began fumbling awkwardly, but NJ
Williams said, again speaking sharply:
:, "You have it in your hand. No
or show it." The woman fshed out Il
is pocketbook, looking very shame faced.
re "Now, how about your accusation
Il. said Mr.. Williams, in sarcastic tone.
" 'I really" stammered the woma
r and, taking out a coin, handed it to t
nv clerk.
ed The latter Indignantly turned her bac
and the woman retreated, red with b
mt initiation and anger. ..
or "Guess she'd like to kill me-" chuckl
IN Mr.. Williams, softly. Then turning
to the sobbing girl, he said in q kline
I voice: "Never mind, child; there are
II sorts of people in the world. If y
Use break your heart over every cruel VIC
YOU won't get along well. Pretty nj
your luncheon time, isn't it,"
| eyes, sir" sobbed the girl.
,ey "Well, go now and bathe your ey
wn I'll fix your time all right. !"
the Nothing eventful occurred within
,ed next twenty minutes, and Mr.. Villa
md stood looking out of one of the entran
OK in his usual preoccupied manner. c
the of the assistant superintendent ca
Lot, along and touched him on the should
ods ThaI1 oossad ont touether and. eros;