Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-09

1t was plumper hand than it had
been when it picked the crust out OF
the gutter, and he wore clean, whole
clothes, though they were made OF
very coarse cloth.
How wrong all the neighbors
werer she said. THAT boy is the
comfort Of my life"
So she went to bed with the treas
ure under her pillow, and slept. Far
on in the night she awoke. The room
was utterly dark; there was not ray
OF light; but she heard a step upon
the floor.
who i. that" she cried.
There was no answer, but she felt
that there was some one leaning over
the bed; then a hand clasped her
throat and held her down, and then
dragged out the bag, and she was re
leased. Half suffocated, she for mo-
ment found herself motionless and be-
wildered, conscious only Of draught
OF air from the open door and some
confused noises. Then she sprang to
the door, and hurried into the little
shop.
Dick Dickw she cried. Dick.
Dick help-wake up! I'm robbed!
There was no answer; the door into
the street was wide open, and by the
moonlight that poured through If she
quickly saw, as she peeped under the
counter. that Dicks bed was empty.
The boy was gone.
Gone! gone! oh, that was worse 10
Granny Briggs than even the loss oil
her money, for she had trusted him.
and he had deceived her. She had
loved him, and he had abused her
love. The neighbors were right; she
was fool to trust a strange street
boy, and had been served rightly
when he robbed her.
When the dawn had broken the
wise neighbors came into granny
shop to find her crying and rocking
TO and fro, and said they had told her
so; she only shook her head. Life had
lost its interest for her. Her occupa-
ton was gone, but not with her saw
ings. Money was but money, after
all; he hal come to be the only thing
she loved, and Dick had robbed her.
| Ii was 10 o'clock. Granny sat
mourning by the kitchen hearth.
| Good -natured Mrs Jones, from up
stairs. was seeing to things" and
irving to cheer her, when suddenly
there came rap on the door, and a
policeman looked in.
Mrs. Briggss' he said.
Here she is, said Mrs. Jones.
Eyes. I'm the wretched crittur,
said Mrs. Briggs.
"Some one wants TO see you at head-
quarters said the officer. There 5
boy there. and some money"
''Dickl' cried Mrs. Briggs. "Oh, l
can't bear TO look at him!
But Mrs. Jones had already tied on
her bonnet and wrapped her in a
shawl, and taken her on her arm.
THE wretchr' she cried. I'm SO
glad he's caught; you'll get your
money back.
And she led Mrs. Briggs along
poor Mrs. Briggs, who cried all the
way and cared nothing for the money.
And soon they were at their destina-
ton. Then, not before, the police
man turned to the two women.
Its pretty bad he said. They
will take him to the hospital in an
hour. | suppose you are prepared
for that. He's nearly beaten to
DEATH
Did you beat him, you cruel
wretch?' cried Mrs. Briggs II
wouldn't have had it done for half
the money. Let him go with it, ifits
any comfort to him
Il beat him!" said the man. well
women have the stupidest heads.
Why, if | hadn't got up when did
he'd have been dead. He held the
bag of money tight, and the thief
was pummeling him with loaded
stick; and the pluck he had for lit
tie shaver, / tell you, | never saw the
like.
You sha'nt take granny's money
from her, says he, and he fought like
a tiger. If it's your money, old lady
he's given his life for it, for all |
know
'Oh. Dick, Dick know you were
good. | must have been crazy TO
doubt you" and then she wrung her
hands and cried: "Oh, Dick, for just
a paltry bit OF money!
And so she knelt beside the still,
pale face upon the pillow, and kissed
it and called it tender names.
And Dick, never guessing her sus-
picions OF him, whispered:
II was so afraid he'd get of with it
granny, il he killed me, and you in
such high hope last night.
He did not know what she meant
by begging him to forgive her. 1t
would have killed him II he had, for
he was very near TO death.
Dick did not die He got well at
last. and went back 10 the little shop.
And, though Granny Biggs had her
savings, she never went TO the old
ladies' home; for long before she died
| Dick was one Of the most prosperous
merchants in the city. and his hand
some house was hers, and she was
happy.
Office Boy-Please, sir, my cold
/ d.t laJ can't Ia rdIy sfaDl IL an