Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-04-26
A SMART CRIMINAL.
Why He Secured an Easy Job in
tho Wardon's Office.

Tie train stopped for few moments
ut small town and u young girl got in.
She was tall slender and pretty. true
village lass, dressed in neat gown,
but one which, nevertheless, bore evil
dence of home manufacture. The
coach was rather crowded and she
looked this way and that for seat.
Then her bright glance rested upon
two men seated in the rear OF the coach,
and she gave an exclamation as she
came toward them.
"Why, George Coomer," she said, MS
she stopped near the younger OF the
two men and extended her hind cor
daily.
lie was good-looising young fellow,
dressed with great taste, and was evil
IDENTITY friend of aud lang syne with
the young girl. by his side was seated
an older man with coarse features, II
hard expression resting upon his face.
lie wore a slouch hat lie was power
fully built and would evidently be II
hard man to handle where physical
force was called for
"Why, little Grace Shaw" exclaimed
the young man. Bat he did not rise,
nor did he extend hls hand. lie reached
over with his left hand and turned over
Il seat
wont you sit down here9" he
asked
with pleasure. 1t is so long since
have seen you, George"
Yes, about ten years" Then nllud-
ing to his companion, he Eaid: This
is-this is my friend, Mr. Charles
Grove"
The young woman bowed stiffly, but
she made up her mind that she would
not like the companion of her old friend.
There was something forbidding about
him to her.
What have you been doing, George,
since you left town."
"Oh, little OF everything and good
deal Of nothing"
-" 1t was unkind not to have let any
OF your old friends hear from you all
this time"
well, man is SO busy. or rather so
occupied in town with doing what little
he has to do, that he"
"Forgets old friends" she added, re-
proachfully
"Well, not exactly. But tell me about
yourself"
There is nothing 10 tell. am
teaching school. But you, we have al
ways wondered. all OF us, how you
were getting on. Some Of us said that
you were always SO smart that you
would do very we'll in New York. Have
you done wellP"
The young man laughed.
ASK my friend here" he said
"He has done very WELL" said the
gruff man. very well. indeed. lie
Is going to retire from business for q
few weeks just now and rest up bit. "
Glow lovely Have you made your
fortune then, George2"
"Well, am on the road"
''He is going to live in one of the big.
gest houses in the state" said the grufi
man.
GLOW Rne!"
Smart boy is George" chuclsled the
other man.
Suddenly there was a Jolt as the train
stopped, and a newspaper which had
been car0lessly spread over the knees
Of the two men fell TO tine door. The
young girl gave an exclamation OF ter
ror, for there sat the men handcuffcc
together.
The young man recovered his snavC
manner
Don't be alarmed, Oracle" he said
You can now understand what h'
meant when lie said he was going 10 {
big house. ! am going to take hin
there. am United States marsha
and he is criminal. That is all, 81
cheer up, my girl"
The other man gave a grunt and I
snort
well, am bowed" he said.
What has he done?" she asked, eye
ina him with tarraE.