Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-04-08

In his thirty years OF life. had never
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
en- surely not more than co." and In
his excitement he hurried up so that
he almost fell against her-for on
seeing a long. CLASSY slide made by
some of tho 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 ca, about a
mile long got between them. and by
the time he had threaded his devious
way around it she was nowhere to be
seen. But l 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; u
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 mannersr'
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 a trick that had never
failed him before. In another moment
he would have gracefully retired and
It would now be peacefully encircling
his notebook pure Para maroon
band, too. full half inch wide some
thing one didn't strike every day." and
he turned impatiently. more than haff
bound to ask for it for the professors
fad. from years 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 aconfectienersst store
spoke cordially to q 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 checkermints 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 be ,ide it; he put out his hand to
clutch it. but instead he was caught
by the shoulders from behind and
whiried around face to face with a po-
liceman. sa.
Miss Helen screamed and almost
tainted. but Miss b. Hall. with a
proud smile on her firm lips. SAID
Sir! or rather hrice-hardened wretch
You are ut last in the tolls of the
law. and by my hand! Officer. TO your
duty-+drag the, miscreant Toto"
Lagrange street mum?N said
the policeman. .i..s...a.t. +. .t... g.
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 triedit but / saved her; -ah.
this thall be known far and wide over
the broad land- "A Boston woman de-
coys bold thief to his fato,' This
morning he attempted to rob her on
the common, and / outwitted him;
this afternoon he followed her from
Com monwealth, avenue to fremont
street, and rfoiled him again; then
seeing his boldness, / lured him here,
sent into the Library for you-and he,
is yours"
.Oh. let him go" cried Miss Helen.
tearfully, ''he didn't mean anything.
l know; perhaps he was hungry. Oh,
say you were hungry. sir! Do! please
do! and perhaps he'll let you CO."
Cant do it, mum. got tc take him
now; guess / won't call the hurry up.
I'll make him walk. Say, WHAT'S
your namep,"
John Smith"
huff said" broke in the police
man. you're like them all; bet
Blacks taken your phiz"
'Oh say" said the now thorough
ly aroused professor; II didn't want
her money. really-Pve got plenty.
See!" making bad matter worse; all
l wanted was the rubber band"
AT this there was loud laugh. and
back Of the professor where a crowd
OF young men had gathered. pro-
longcd snicker which was quickly
hushed.
Your name is John Smith. and
you just wanted the rubber band"
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