The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-05-15

way up. It's the rarest thing for them
10 be short-handed-in fact, you're in
luck"
| thanked him. of course. had
meant, II he let me OF, TO go to Enton.
But had no intention Of going near the
mills or getting regular work Of any
kind. However, did not want toworry
him by telling him that preferred my
own way OF living. especially as he
seemed SO pleased with the idea about
the ruiils After supper he sat down
and wrote line or two to the foreman,
whom he scemd 10 know well. AS he
was writing IT,, the clocl. struck three.
you will start at once" he said, $50 as
10 be there early. You won't be able 10
work that day, after being up all night,
hat you can begin work the next day.
It's important that you should apply
early. before everyihing's filed up
| thanked him again, and asked him
TO put me on the right road What i
wanted was 10 get him out into the
dark. lie came out of the house with
me. showed me which turn TO take, and
said good-by. Come and see me again.
have much more to say TO you when
the right time comes" thanked him
and said good-by.
| walked until heard his front door
shut, and then ran just about as hard
as l could go. Ipasscd one policeman,
and he tried to stop me, but lodged
him and got away. ! was on the out
skirts of the village then. and once past
| 4 lapalx+ frv road md
nothing to fear.
You see, while l was on my back /
had noticed the parsons watch chain.
took care not to look at il again, but l
kept il in my memory. While he was
saying good-by to me in the dark got
an easy chance. The parsons gold
. watch and chain were in my trousers
pocket, and he never lad the least
notion when took it. My notion was
| now to get to Enton about five, and take
/ workman's train on TO Waterloo.
: chuckled to myself. He'd called me
: ginger-headed scoundrel. stopped me
swearing, spoiled my little game and
given me n thrashing. but had the bet
ter Of him in the end. There was his
watch and chain in my pocket, and in
less than four hours should be hand
ing them over to Ike and getting three
! or four sovereigns for them.
= As walked along it gradually began
: to grow light, and somehow or other !
! lost my spirits. | stopped chuckling;
Z? the more | thought about the neat way
Z that had scored off-hat parson the less
felt inclined TO laugh about that or
/ anything else. | got angry about moth
. ing. 1t may seem queer. but was
q angry with the parson for having stood
5 out there ia the dark. close against me
= and given me my chance. called him
:. all the names ! could lay my tongue Il
for his foolishness. Twas just as angry
4 with myself. though, for no sensible
reason. Then ] began to get nervous
Q and took fancies. thought heard step
coming after me, and imagined thcr
l. was policeman waiting to catch m
l, behind every big tree passed 1didn'
O enjoy that walk. / wished to heavei
that parson had taken me out by tn
IS scruif Of my neck and handed me over 4
/: the police when he first caught me
a though don't know why wished II
"who wants this blooming ticker?"
d said out loud. pulling ii out of my peck
{. ct. Strike m- If | don't pitch 1t owe
0. the hedge and be done with it,"
s But / didn't. | pulled myself to
l gether, and argned with myself. II
YOU can afford to throw money away,
It said to myself. that's the first Nv
"A heard of it. You just plug on until 20
.,.I II 80
~ way to such Stiffness" It's easier I
ID argue with yourself than II in 10 max
youscf see the force of it. ! went o,
4. but couldn't stop thinking. l wished
ii had never come near the vicarage.
ID wished had got my shooter out an
o. finished the parson on sight. wishc
m I had never been born, l wished wa
Ie dead. The farther ! went the NOR
n down hearted | got. had never fel
II. anything like il before.
r. At last had done my nine miles an
~ stood outside Enton station. stoo
nf there for about a minute. and then
he made up my mind. Il chuck this"
ne said, "and take that forsaken tickle
III back to the parson again."
RI I was rs tired as dog when got
ne the station: but MS soon as | had mad
ST MP my mind that seemed to pass Oft.
made my way back good deal quicks
N than had come. The sun shone an
he the birds sang. and you could see "
te were in for rare ane day. met SOIL
he workingmen on the road, and passed
ne good morning to them. could hay
| said good morning to the very policems
Ie that | had lodged a few hours bcfor
I'd and not been afraid of him. felt ARA
II Of nothing. and up to fighting any ma
Of my own weight
,g As drew near the vicnragc didn
feel quite SO chirpy. had nasty j.
It before me. but made up my mind
on go through with II They told me Il
TO vicar had brcakfastcd early and WI
nd in his study, and would see me there.
a The vicar was standing up when
nr went in. with his hands in his breechc
pockets and that curious smile on h
~. face. lie looked fine man.
lid Good morning!" he said. "You'
~ room back"
put the watch and chain on q
-, table. "I-I-I'yc done damned dir
trick. and I'm ashamed Of myself"