Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-03-07
ACASE OF SMITHS.


/ help you? This is the way the
catch goes. Now we're cOmfOrta-
ble.n
The two unusually cOmplaiSant
travellers who thus addressed each
other were companions on a train
bound for Albany.
OLc was a small, thin man, with a
long crooked nose and a wide mouth,
the other a fat man, with generally
prosperous and well-to-dO air and
diamond the size of his thumb peep
ing atove the top button Of his long
travelling coat.
On this the eyes of the thin man
rested admiringly and, after a pause,
he remarked:
"That's splendid diamond you've
GOT there. l know one when l see it.
I'm a jeweler up in Albany and its
not often 1 have the pleasure of ad-
miring such Il stone as that"
, How do you like that?" said the
other traveller, extending his little
unger and showing another diamond
7lc~r thick gold ring.
beautiful" said the jewcler.
beautiful"
"My wife has a whole set as hand
some" said the fat gentleman. Il
am, perhaps. at forty-Seven, the rich
est man in, and | give you my
word that on my thirtieth birthday 1
was starving.
1T is not wise for a young clerk to
give piece of his mind 10 his en-
plOyer I'd done that and had been
dismissed, ana l could not find an
other situation.
If Id had the fare in my pocket
I'd been farming at Frog Hollow now
and just as happy as a clam, no doubt;
but | hadn't dollar and l was ready
10 break down.
"Thirsty as l was, hungry, and re-
mem tering that at a free reading
room had by they always had ice
water on tap, SUNK in there, drank
couple Of glasses and took up
morning paper
Il was deep in the column help
wanted when a hand touched me on
the shoulder and voice said:
Are you John Smith'
= Eyes l answered, turning to look
at the speaker.
"a slim boy in a linen jacket stood
before me. He helu letter in his
hand.
John P. Smith?' he asked, refer.
-ing to it.
Yes, said l again.
~ had been christened John Pop
pington, after my great uncle.
All right, sir, he said. This is
for you, then. They told me Id find
you here, sir-very probably, sir.
Here's the letter, sir. Good morn
ing, sir
II opened the envelope and saw
upon a sheet of paper adorned with a
representation Of large hotel, with
crowds Of the most fashionable ladies
and gentlemen entering and depart
ing from its portals, the following
words:
Mr John P Smith.
sRi-Hearing that you are at present
dissncazcd We desire 70 procure your
q special cRse which VIII require instant
attention. VIII you call on - 4 -. as
above. at your very earliest convenience?
Gould it be a trick OF some of the
other clerks? Yes. it must he. If
It is said I, III show them how we
polish Of rascals at Frog Hollow. >
And slamming my hat on the back of
my head, and turning up my cuffs
in anticipation OF a conflict, / huT-
ried up the street, and, marching into
the hotel and up to the clerk at the
desk, laid my envelope before him and
followed:
"'was this sent from here? I'm
John P Smith,
To my utter astonishment, sir,
the clerk bowed politely, smiled, and
said:
" Yes, sir. Here, waiter-Mr. A.
private room; he is waiting for this
gentleman
Il followed the waiter After a
long hall, large door and a square
passage way we came to a door at
which he knocked.
The waiter opened the door,
stepped oack, allowed me to pass him,
and shut me in.
Il stood in a splendid little room,
with n Persian rug on the floor, sew
eral wonderful chairs, alibrarY table,
an imposing desk case, and two mid
ant aspect rose to greet me.
1--WE are greatly obliged TO you for
your promptitude, Mr.. Smith, said
the first shaking hands warmly.
so Considerate of you, too, to
come in Disguise said the first You
are so well known to criminals that
Il might have given alarm had you
come in your proper person; but that
makeup, now, isn't 1t perfect A?
isn't it perfect? That linen coat,
those clean whiskers and that
wig
Wig" cried L See here If
you're making fun Of me lll-'
" 'Good-good, said Mr.. A, laugh
ing; then, becoming grave again:
But now TO the business for
which we need you. We were hOr-
tiacd this morning, Mr.. Smith, to
lcJr thar Lord Lumpkins. an En-
: ish uUOlcman, staying here before
proceeding to hunt the buffalo on the
plains, had been robbed Of a tremen-
ious sum-ElQ, 600, in facL-S5O, 900
least.
- The credit of our house is in
Volyed We are in terrible diem
ma. Servants and employees have
Teen searched: all innocent l am
sure No guest has left. 1t was not
a burglar. No. sir. We will take
you to Lord Lumpkins' room ana he
will give you all particulars.
''Of course, Ar. Smith, you'll stay
here while you work up the case.
I've put room No at your disposal.
Pray complain to us if you are not
comfortable. After our interview
will you lunch with US while we talk
it oyer?'