The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-02-27

You see. while was on my way back
had noticed the parsons wHtch.ch1in.
] took care not 10 look at II again. but
kept 1t in my memory While he was
saying gOod-by to me In the dark got
an eFay chance The parsons gold
watch and chain were IN my trousers
pocket, and he never had the least no.
ton when took them. Ny notion was
now to get on TO Enton about five. and
take n worlSlngman's train on to Wa
terloO.
] chuekled to myself He'd called me
ginger headed scOundrel, stopped me
swearing. spoiled my little game. and
given me n thrashing but / had the
better of him In the end. There was his
watch and chain In my pocket. and In
less than four hours / should be handing
them over to Ike and getting three or
four 'soverelgns for them.
As walked along II gradually began
to grow light. and somehow or other
lost my spirits, ! stopped chuckllnG;
the more thought about the neat way
that had scored off that pprSon the
less felt iucifaed to laugh about that
or anything else. got angry about
nothing. II may seem queer. but was
angry with the parson for having stood
out there in the dark, close against me,
and given me my chance called him
all the names could lay my tongue to
for his fOollshnesE. was Just as angry
with myself. though for no sensible rca-
son. Then I began to get nervous and
took fancles, thought heard steps com
ing after me and imagined there was
policeman watching to catch me behind
every big tree passed. ! didn't enjoy
that walk. wished 10 heaven that
parson had taken me by the scruff Of
my neck and handed me over to the
police when he first caught me, though
I don't know why wished tt. Who
wants his blooming ticker?" said out
loud. pulling II out Of my pocket.
Strike me II don't pitch 1t over the
hedge and be done with it,
But ] didn't. / pulled myself to-
gether, and argued with myself. IF
you can AFFORD to throw money away"
said 10 myself. that's the first I've
heard OF It. You Just plug on until yot
get 10 Enton station. and don't give way
to such Stiffness" It's easier TO argue
with yourself than 1t is TO make your
self see the force Of 1t. went on, but
I couldn't stop thinking, wished !
had never come near the vicnrhge.
wished ! had got my shooter out and
finished the pnrson on sight. ! wished
l had never been born. I wished was
down hearted I got. I had never felt
anything like It before.
At last had done my nine miles and
stood outside Enton Station. stood
there for about q minute, and then !
made up ray mind. II chuck this" l
said. land take that forsaken ticker
back to the parson again."
was as tired US dog when ] got TO
the station. but as soon rs ] had made
up my mind that seemed to pass OF.
made my way back good deal quicker
than had come. The sun shone and
the birds sang, and you could see we
were in for rnre fine day I met some
worllngmen on the road. and passed
good morning to them. I could have
said good morning to the very police-
man that had lodged few hours be-
fore, und not been afraid Of him. /
felt afraid OF nothing. and mp to fight
Ing any man of my own weight
As drew near the vicRrage l didn't
feel quite so chIrpy. had nasty Job
before me. but / mnde up my mind to
go drought with II. They told me the
vicar had breakfasted early and was
in his study. and would see me there,
The vicar was standing ZIP when /
went In. with his hands In his breaches
pockets. and that curious smile on his
face. He looked like fine man.
Good morning." he said. You're
soon back
put the watch and chain on the ia
BILE "I-l-I'Ve done damned dirty
trick. and I'm ashamed Of myself"
"Ah!" he said: this is good, This
Is a start"
He went on with what suppose some
people would have called paItson Talk,
and I had thnt feeling In my throat rs
II were swallowing eggs whole until
could stand 1t no longer. But needn't
go into that.
An hour afterwards l was on my way
again to Enton Miils-and he with me.
tTIIE TSD9