The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-06-26

the mills. After supper he sat down
and wrote line or two to the foreman,
whom he seemd to know well. AS he
was writing it, the clock struck three.
"You will start at once," he said, 80 as
to be there early. You won't be able to
work that day, after being up all night,
but you can begin work the next day.
It's important that you should apply
early, before everything's filed up"
1 thanked him again, and asked him
to put me on the right road. What l
wanted was to get him out into the
dark. He 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" l thanked him
and said good-by.
/ walked until heard his front door
shut, and then ran just about as hard
as I could go. I.passed 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
him / had lonely country road and
nothing to fear.
You see, while I was on my back
had noticed the parsons watch chain.
took care not to look at it again, but 1
kept it 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 had the least
notion when took it. My notion was
now to get to Enton about five, and take
workman's train on to Waterloo.
I chuckled to myself. He'd called me
ginger-headed scoundrel, stopped me
swearing, spoiled my little game and
given me 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 I should be hand
ing them over to Ike and getting three
or four sovereigns for them.
AS l walked along it gradually began
to grow light, and somehow or other
lost my spirits. I stopped chuckling;
the more I thought about the neat way
that I had scored Off that parson the less
felt inclined to laugh about that or
anything else. got angry about moth
ing. 1t may seem queer, but I 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 foolishness. Twas just as angry
with myself, though, for no sensible
reason. Then 1 began to get nervous
and took fancies, thought heard steps
coming after me, and imagined there
4a1,
behind every big tree passed. Ididn't
enjoy that walk. / wished to heaven
that parson had taken me out by the
scruff Of my neck and handed me over to
| the police when he first caught me,
| though ) don't know why wished it.
"Who wants this blooming ticker?" l
said out loud, pulling it out of my pock-
ct. "Strike me If don't pitch it over
| the hedge and be done with It'll"
But l didn't. I pulled myself to-
gether, and argued with myself. "If
you can afford to throw money away"
1 said to myself, "that's the first I've
heard of it. You just plug on until you
get to Enton station, and don't give
way to such Stiffness" It's easier to
argue with yourself than 1T Is to make
youself see the force of 1t. Invent on,
but couldn't stop thinking. Iwished
| had never come near the vicarage. ]
wished I had got my shooter out and
| finished the parson on sight. wished
had never been born, l wished was
dead. The farther I went the more
down-hearted got. had never felt
anything like 1t before.
AT last 1 had done my nine miles and
stood outside Enton station. ! stood
| there for about minute, and then /
made UP my mind. II chuck this" I
said, "and take that forsaken ticker
back to the parson again."
1 was as tired as dog when I got tc
the station; but rs soon as had made
up my mind that seemed to pass off.
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 rare fine day. met some
workingmen on the road, and passed
| good morning to them. I could have
said good morning to the very policemen
| that had lodged a few hours before,
and not been afraid of him. 1 felt afraid
of nothing, and up to fighting any man
of my own weight.
AS drew near the vicarage didn't
feel quite so chirpy. had nasty job
before me, but I made up my mind to
go through with it. They told me the
vicar had brealkfasted early and was
in his study, and would see me there.
The vicar was standing up when
went in, with his hands in his breeches.
! pockets and that curious smile on his
face. He looked n fine man.
Good morning!" he said. You're
coon back"
I put the watch and ahain on the
table. "I-I-Tve 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 I suppose some
| people would have called q parson-talk.
and had that feeling in my throat as
if I were swallowing eggs whole until
Icould stand it no longer. But needn't
| go into that.
An hour afterwards I was on my way
again at Enton Mills-and he with me.
-Idler.
ON Even Lines.
In the olden days many good Scotch
man fought in the ranks of La Belle