The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-27

watch and chain We're In my trousers
pocket. and he never had the least no
tion when l took them. My notion was
now to get on to Enton about five, and
take a workingman's train on to Wa
terloo.
/ chuckled to myself. He'd called me
ginger-headed scoundrel, stopped me
swearing, spoiled my little game, and
given me a 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 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. l stopped chuckling;
the more | thought about the neat way
that | had scored off that parson the
less | felt inclined to laugh about that
or anything else l got angry about
nothing 1t may seem queer, but l
was angry with the parsOn for having
stood out there in the dark, close
against me. and given me my chance.
I called him all the names l could lay
my tongue to for his foolishness. l was
just as angry with myself. though for
no sensible reason. Then i began to
get nervous and took fancies, thought |
heard steps coming after me. and i'm
| agined there was policeman waiting
to catch me behind every big tree !
passed ! didn't enjoy that walk.
wished to heaven that parson had tax
en- me out by the scruH OF my neck ana
handed me over to the police when he
first caught me, though don't know
why | wished it. who wants ms
blooming ticker?" / said out loud pull
ing 1t out of my pocket. Strike me If
won't pitch it over the hedge and be
done with it,
But | didn't. l pulled myself to-
gether, and argued with myself. IF
you can afford to throw money away,
| ! said to myself. that's the nrst 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 10
argue with yourself than 1t Is to make
yourself see the force of 1t. l went on.
but couldn't stop thinking. ] wished
I had never come near the vicarage !
wished | had got my shooter out ana
finished the parson on sight l wished
I had never been born, / wished was
dead. The further ! went the more
down hearted | got. l had never felt
anything like 1t before.
At last ! had done my nine miles ana
stood outside Enton Station. ! stood
there for about minute. and them !
made up my mind. IL chuck this, !
said. "and take that forsaken ticker
back to the parson again.
was as tired as dog when / got TO
the station: but as soon as l had made
up my mind that seemed to pass on. L
made my way back good deal quicker
than ] had come. The sun shone ana
the birds sang. and you could see we
were in for a rare fine day. / met some
workingmen on the road, and passed
good morning to them. l could have
said good morning to the very police
man that had lodged a few hours be-
fore, and not been afraid of him. |
felt afraid OF nothing. and up to tight
ing any man of my own weight.
AS drew near the vicarage l didn't
feel quite 80 chirpy. I had 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 l
went in, with his hands in his breeches
pockets. and that curious smile on his
face. He looked fine man.
Good morning" he said. You're
soon back"
| put the watch and chain on the
table. I-I-I've done a 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