Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-28
Tia. nigh. John packed his trunk and omitted

I
mothers The very day after the wedding
John experimenting the removal Of the
front OF horse situated on the main street
not more than 400 yards from the deacon's
This house was owned by Mrs. Kilmar. and il
was soon known that John Todd was going &c
convert part OF il into store and start q
grocery. The work went on apace and John
expected to begin business before the honey
moon was over Three nights after the work
was begun John. happening to pass the place
sew a Il .ful CLEAN Of light in the rear, and on
going thither found that three trarps had
taken possession Of an clubhouse and kildled a
fire thore. He speedily ousted them and put
out the embers. Every night afterward he
visited the house. for he didn't want fire to
burn down the place and postpone the opening
of his new store
He was married on Monday and the Sunday
following ives stormy. At night IL cleared
somewhat. but a chilly wind blew. His wife
tried to persuade him not to go up to the new
store. but il was Just the sort of night he said.
to drive the traInps to seek for warmth and
shelter. ''Hearken to the wind he said.
''how it whirls around the house and rattles the
Window"
Talking Of that'' said his wifs,'T wish you
would lop the twigs of the tree by the bed
room window, for they strike against the psnes
and startle me-"
Get me my jackknife, Alice. out Of my week
day clothes, +" said John.
Take these shears" Alice replied; ''you
can reach further and cut more easily with
them"
So John took the large bIunt-snded shears
In his overcoat pocket and went out into the
garden. When he had Topped the offending
twigs he returned the shears to his pocket and
started for his new store. Reaching the place
he stepped within the walls intending to walk
along the planking to the rear. As he APP
preached a window from which the ssshes had
been removed, something was slung over the
sill from the outside. John paused and the
wind brought to his ear the sound of q man .
voice. Drawing near to the window. he could
see that mans ulster lay over the window sill
and be had no doubt that the owner was on the
other side. As he listened he heard voice
which he instantly recognized as Henshaws.
The voice said: Joe. close up your lantern or
some one may see the light"
voice said something in reply and next
moment hand appeared and placed a bulls
eye lantern on the top of the ulster. Then the
two persons began to converse in tones dis
tInctly audible TO John Todd.
II know all about this, '" said Hershsw; I've
paid the deacon money a score of times and
he always keeps his cash in tin box in the
my place last night and treated all hands. He
said he had just paid off the last of the mort
gage and handed the deacon e. 500. This was
after the bank was closed, and the deacon had
nowhere to put the money but III his desk. It's
lot of money, joe"
''Yes, indeed it is was the answer, and John
Todd knew from the tones that Henshaw's COM
panion was none other than Joe Sissons, the
constable OF the town.
9Th be half for yen and half for NO." Hem
shaw continued, land maybe there are q few
hundreds more than we know of"
'Bnt how about the old mani" the constable
asked.
That's all right" was the reply; ''in fact
never thought of taking the money until
knew the deacon would be out Of the way
Pa .lo 81, a
all nigh. with him. Smalls. the miller dropped
in to see me this afternoon on his way home
from church and got a flask of whisky, because
as he said. he and the deacon had to sit up all
night with the parson. and they would need
comfort. Strike me, joe il the thing didn't
man was away, you and could make haul"
"But what made you think of me?' asked the
constable in q half-suspicious tone,
Because knew that it couldn be done I'M
less you agreed to join in," the answer;
because, ye see, you re always On the watch
nights and nothing escapes YOU"
THAT'S 3d." replied the constable with
chuckls.
Now, you see," said Henshaw, well walk
together up to my place. I'll go in at the front
door and out at the back and go down by the
river to Silt lane and up that to the deacou's
garden. You'll come down the street and
meet me there and stand outside while l skip
the fence, open the back window and pocket
the swag."
Then followed more talk in a low tone. John
Todd was lost in thought for moment: then.
taking the shears from his pocket, he lifted up
the tail of the ulster and cut off a corner from
the hind part of the skirt He put the piece OF
cloth and the shears in his pocket and was
about to quit the place, when thought struck
him, and. reaching out for the bull s-eye, he
transferred 1t also to his pocket and cautiously
departed.
When we reached home, he gave the lamp
and piece of cloth to his astonished wife, an
swering her inquiries by saying that she must
put both in safe place until he asked for
them: Then he changed his overcoat and
coat for q rough jacket. and, saying that he
would be back soon, left the house. When he got
outside, he discerned two forms approaching
from the direction of his new store He stepped
behind bush until the persons should pass
As they drew near he heard Henshaw say:
''Wby, man, it's all plain enough. Your LAM
tern fell into the cellar which is hall full Of
water. and you might just as well have looked
for a needle in haystack as for that lantern in
such place"
Then the two men went on down the street.
He watched them until they were beyond his
uncle store. then be crossed the street and
FASTENED with quick step toward Deacon Red
mans place. When he came to silt Lane. which
ran by the side of the store. he turned down il.
sprang over the garden fence. assembled the
open piazza IN the rear. broke a pane of glass.
opened the window anu in amOmeut was within
the small parior at the back Of his uncle's
store. He found the desk easily enough, but it
was locked and he had nothing to open it. If
he had only had his jackknife it would have
been useful; in fact, just the thing he
needed Or even the shears would have
been handy tool. AS it was. how
ever, he had nothing that would do. The
bacon knife would have answered the purpose,
but the door leading into the store was locked
So he spent ave minutes hunting around for
something that would do for O burglars tool.
the merest chance touched an old-fashioned
curved letter MA. Taking of the papers
which 1t bore, he hastily str0igh tened the
metal and thrust the sharp end between the
desk and the lid. 1t bent like q reed, but still
if gave him purchase, and by main force he
tore open the lid In another moment he had
grasped the weil-known tin cash box; and. with
joyous thrill, he passed through the window
dropped lightly from the piazza, mounted the
solid wooden fence, leaped into the lane and
found himself in the clutches Of Constable Joe
and Phil Henshaw.
We've got you, you young thief" exclaimed
Henshaw, who. with unbounded satisfac .ion
identified the burglar as john Todd.
Yes, we've tricked you this time," the con-
stable said.
put the nippers on him, Joe." Henshaw said
with chaokle; hell assault no more honest
citizens for some time to come"
Hes got the deacon's money box" said
Constable Joe in q tone of horror; "a robbiag
Of his own flesh aud blood. Here, Henshaw,
hold the box while handcuff him.
Henshaw took the box and Constable Joe
slipped the handouts over the wrists of John
Todd, who stood unresisting thoroughly crest
fallen and astounded, as his csptors supposed.
Then with many taunts and bitter words to
which John answered never a word, the captive