Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-28
JUST IN TINE.
Part Played by a Pickpocket in a Love
Episode.


At the main entrance of one of the
chief London th4aIers stood two mem
bers of what is known as the light
fingered fraternity" that is to say,
that they-Mr. CalIaghan, known
among his friends as Cally, and Rab-
bit, whose real name was not known
even to himself-were picl<pockets.
81 Think whispered Cally, that
we'd better remain as near together as
possible. If the police get one of US
we can start UP row and get away"
Here and there among the 1ispers-
ing crowd they found no difficulty in
plying their trade.
Suddenly Mr. Callaghan stopped
with a half-smothered exclamation,
leaning toward Rabbit, whispered in
his ear:-"Great guns! Look at that
girl, Rabbit. Isn't she an angela
queen-a cess-a--Rabbit, if it
were not for my undying love for
Molly / would adore that girl. Rab-
bit, I'm going to have her handker-
chief or something from her if l have
to do time for it."
(which girl?" asked the rabbit.
''The one that is escorted by that
handsome fellow who looks SO pale
looks a trifie like me. Ten to one she
has just rejected him. All, Molly, if it
we're not for you l might be rejected
by that fair being myself. Rabbit, as
she comes down to the carriage you
take the left side. I'll get behind and
on the right, which will be more diff
ficult, as the pale fellow will be on the
right"
Mr. Callaghan's undertaking was
both difficult and dangerous, but he
had the courage born of long list of
successes. He edged his way up, and
slipped his delicate left hand eau
Iiously between the girl and her es-
cort.
A singular thing occurred just then.
He noticed that she blushed very VIC
lently all at once, and looked at the
ground, just as his own Molly did the
! first time he kissed her.
Then Mr.. CalIaghan was conscious
that she held something out timidIy in
! her gloved right hand, bending her
wrist just little. Mr.. Callaghan
looked and saw something glitter.
He reached for the glittering object,
intending to snatch it from her, when,
to his intense establishment, just as
his hand was stretched out, she placed
TIE object carefully in his palm.
He looked at her just for an instant.
She was still looking down, and away
from the pair.
Mr.. Callaghan did not stop to ask
; any questions. He got out of the
crowd as fast as ne could, we'll aware
| that he held in his hand a solitaire
ring.
He and the Rabbit met but a few
! streets away. Mr.. CaIlaghan was
flushed with success, but pensive.
! The Rabbit was hilarious with sue
cess, and not at all pensive.
"Cally" said the Rabbit, we're rich
for a month";
What did you get from that grip
asked Mr.. Callaghan in rather pre-
occupied manner.
"Aw, nothing from her that was
worth anything-nothing but littl5
note. What did you get?"
This" saiG Mr.. Callaghan, hoiding
up TO the light a solitaire ring.
Great guns!' said the astonished
Rabbit.
Let me see that letter." Callaghar
said abruptly. The RABBIT handed il
to him. 1t was a note, written in 6
mans strong hand, and read as fol
lows:
NELL hand you this in your DO,
because l cannot wait any longer. Tel
} years ago tonight asked you to MARI!
me. Your parents have never con
sented in all that time, and the!
! never will. Do you love me enough
to marry without their consent? ]
you do, hand me your solitaire ring
| will come round at the close and
take you to your carriage You car
give it to me then. If you do not Low,
me enough to do this, I will know
what you mean, and I will start TO
the continent tomorrow, never to COM
back. Jack"