The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-04-22

given thought to females but in the
abstract He turned the collar OF his
ulster up about his ears pulled his
tourist way over his eyes and putting
his hands deep in his pockets watched
her with interest.
What nice little girl she was;
really she was an awful young teach
er, surely not more than 60" and IN
his excitement he hurried up SO that
he almost fell against her-for on
seeing long, CLASSY slide made by
some Of the neighboring children, she
stopped suddenly. then taking little
run, slid over it with a gurGle Of de-
light
They had passed the common, and
she was crossing fremont street A
beautiful palace electric car about o
mile long got between them. and by
the time he had threaded his devious
way around it she was nowhere to be
seen. But know where to find her, +"
thought the observing Professor.
She'll be looking at the pictures OF
the Cadet Theatricals. That's what
all the ladies go to see first now; q
month ago it was Shadows up on the
place" Right enough, and he bumped
up against tall, rigid figure in front
Of him.
Sir pardon me. but you are ex-
ceedingly awkward in your mannersF"
There she was again, the spectre OF the
morning. He retired to the corner
crushed; but the professors dander
was 'gettin' riz." Miss Brankston
Hall put him in mind OF that beautiful
elastic band on Miss Helen's pocket
book. But for her it might have been
his ere this; and as he stood there
waiting for them TO finish their COM
ments on the photos and move on, he
nursed his grievance and brooded over
it. 1t wasn't his fault he had slipped
it on his wrist trick that had never
failed him before. In another moment
he would have gracefully retired, and
it would now be peacefully encircling
his note bOok--a pure Para maroon
band, too full half inch wide, some
thing one didn't strike every day." and
he turned impatiently more than half
bound to ask for it. for the professors
fad from years o fostering, was so
much OF mania that he almost be-
lieved the worlds supply OF rubber
bands belonged exclusively to him.
'Ah ha! They were just going.
He'd follow them. Perhaps who
could tell--it might yet be his"
They walked down as far as Boyls-
ton street. the tall lady keeping
wary eye on the wretched professor.
then turning into,a confectioner's store
spoke cordially to young man who
was buying.
The professor, watching through
the window with eyes only for the
rubber band, didn't notice him hurry
out. Miss Helen had got her little
oblong box Of checlIermints and had
laid her pocket book on the counter;
the professor leisurely pushed the
door open, and walking in asked for
some OF the same. The girl seemed
hurried, but he didn't notice being
occupied watching the ladies. Their
backs were turned; there lay the
pocket-book and the beautiful maroon
band beside it; he put out his hand to
clutch it but instead he was caught
by the shoulders from behind and
whirled around face to face with q po-
liCeman.
Miss Helen screamed and almost
tainted, but Miss b. Hall, with q
proud smile on her firm lips SAID
Sir! or rather thrice hardened wretch
you are ut last in the tolls of the
law and by my handl Officer to your
duty-drag the miscreant Toto"
10 Lagrange street. mumP" said
the policeman.
Yes that's it." said She my
friend, Miss Helen Jones here, ac-
cuses this man OF attempting to rob
her Of her purse-three times to-day
he has tried it. but / saved her; an,
this thall be known far and wide over
the broad land-A Boston woman de-
coys bold thief to his fate This
morning he attempted to rob her on
the common, and outwitted him;
this afternoon he followed her from
Commonwealth avenue to fremont
street, and I foiled him again; then
seeing his boldness, l lured him here,
sent into the Library for you-and he
is yours"
'Oh. let him gor' cried Miss Helen,
tearfullN ''he didn't mean anything,
l know; perhaps he was hungry. Oh,
say you were hungry, sir! Dol please
do! and perhaps he'll let you 60"
Cant do it mum, got to take him
now; guess / won't call the hurry up,
I'll make him walk. Say what's
your namep"
John Smith"
'Nuff said" broke in the police
man, you're like them all; bet
Blacks taken your phizm
''Oh ! say" said the now thorough
ly aroused professor; Il didn't want
her money really-rve got plenty.
Seel" making bad matter worse; all
/ wanted was the rubber band"
At this there was a loud laugh. and
back Of the professor where crowd
of young men had gathered, q pro-
longcd snicker which was quickly
hushed.
Your name is John Smith. and
you just wanted the rubber band"