The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-16

men that go there stop, n Work Ihen
way up. It's the rarest thing for them
to be short-handed-in fact you're in
luck"
l thanked him, of course. I had
meant, if he let me off, to go to Enton.
But l had no intention of going near the
mills or getting regular work of any
kind. However, I did not want TO worry
him by telling him that / preferred my
own way of living. especially as he
seemed so pleased with the idea about
the mills. After supper he sat down
and wrote a 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"
l thanked him again, and asked him
to put me on the right road. What I
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.
l have much more TO say to you when
the right time comes" l thanked him
and said ~good-by.
1 walked until l heard his front door
shut, and then l ran just about as hard
as l could go. Ipassed one policeman,
and he tried to stop me, but l lodged
him and got away. l was on the out
skirts of the village then. and nee past
him l had a lonely country road and
nothing to fear.
You see, while 1 was on my back l
had noticed tine parsons watch chain.
l took care not TO look at it again, butt
kept il in my memory. While he was
saving good-by TO me in the dark I got
an easy chance. The parsons gold
watch and chain were in my trousers
pocket. and he never lad the least
notion when l took it. My notion was
now TO get TO Enton about five, and take
4 workman's train on to Waterloo.
Ichuckled to myself. He'd called me
a ginger-headed scoundrel, stopped me
swearing, spoiled my little game and
| given me Il 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 l 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 | thought about the neat way
that l had scored offthat parson the less
| felt inclined to laugh about that or
anything else. l 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. l called him
all the names l could lay my tongue TO
for his foolishness. Twas just as angry
with myself, though, for no sensible
reason. Then l began re get nervous
and took fancies. thought I heard steps
coming after me, and imagined there
was 4 policeman waiting to catch me
behind every big tree l passed. Ididn't
enjoy that walk. l wished 10 heaven
that parson had taken me out by the
scruff of my neck and handed he over to
the police when he first caught me,
though l don't know why 1 wished il.
Who wants this blooming ticker?" I
said out loud, pulling ii out of my pock-
ct. "Strike me if l don't pitch it over
the hedge and be done with it,"
But | didn't. l pulled myself to-
gether. and argued with myself. III
YOU can afford to throw money away"
/ 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 it is TO make
youSelf see the force of il. went on,
but couldn't stop thinking. wished l
had never come near the yicarage. ]
wished | had got my shooter out and
finished the parson Oh sight. wished
l had never been born, I wished | was
dead. The farther l went the more
down-hearted l got. 1 had never felt
anythin" like il before.
At last | had done my nine miles and
stood outside Enton station. I stood
there for about a minute. and then l
made up my mind. II chuck this" 1
said, land take that forsaken ticker
back to the parson again"
| was as tired as 4 dog when l got to
the station; but as soon as l had made
up my mind that seemed to pass off. ]
made my way back 4 good deal quicker
than I had come. The sun shone and
the birds sang. and you could see we
were in for a rare fine day. met some
workingmen on the road, and passed a
good morning to them. 1 could have
said good morning TO the very policemen
that l had lodged a few hours before,
and not been afraid of him. Ifelt afraid
OF nothing, and up to fighting any man
of my own weight.
As l drew near TIE vicarage 1 didn't
feel quite so chirpy. had a nasty job
before me. but l made up my mind to
go through with it. They told me the
vicar had breakfasted 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 Z fine man.
Good morning" he said. You're
soon back"
mt tho watch and cbain m the