The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-11-26

tSS%yg5R I you h Ss tS 'o notI R:e0dI, !,
WNN "A through tho Press,
6V " the extreme interest
CIssusF ~ evinccd by her Males
tvs officials as to my
whereabouts, and while regretting my in
ability to satisfy their curiosity, cannot
but feel highly honored at their 5olcita-
tions. Again, I feel it nay duty as citizen
to prevent them mourning any expense on
my behalf and Of placing them under the
necessity OF arranging q little entertain
ment for me, at which | shall be the prln-
cipal performer.
my grief at leaving town was polgnantS
80 much so that, when | emerged from the
train at this outlandish village, was COM
pletely transformed, comparatively q
young man when I started, I finished the
journey an old, grayheaded man, Ill in
mind and body, and am now enleavorlng
to recoup my energies.
II was for q time undecided what char
acter to adopt but was saved from any fur
Their trouble on that score by tho natives,
who gave me that of an author. I cannot
say upon what grounds they based their
surposition, unless their idea of literary
man is gray head and body somewhat
pouL NY dRc.
Zone day the lady Of the manor, per-
is very charitable), called upon Mrs. Crpps
(my landady), who is included in her latdy.
4 ships list Of deserving poor. The old dame
was bursting with pride at having o literary
man as ledger, and introduced me as the
well-known author, Mr.. Thompson. That
is the name go under hero. 1t graclously
pleased her ladyship to notice me worry
kindly, the reason being, as l afterward
found out, she wanted my advice on an
entertainment to be given in tho village
schoolroom on behalf Of somo institution
she patronizes. began to think my
assumed character would lead mo into
difficulties, and was glad when she re-
tired.
From inquiries made later, / find she,
like q good many more In her position,
adopts the cloak OF charity simply as q
means Of exhibiting her wealth to the
poor, and never loses an opportunity Of
showing herself arrayed in the family
Jewels. From all accounts, they are i'm
mensely valuable, sufficient to keep half 4
dozen men idle for the rest Of their lives
think you will agree with me that It IS
about time We retired from business, and
we cannot do better than teach Lady -
that the exposure OF many jewels on o per-
son borders on vulgurity, and Is dangerous
alike to her and them.
My plan isthis: have been made an
author in name, why not In practice?
resolved to be one, and have accordingly
written short play for he's ladyship's en-
tertaInment, With which she Is delighted,
because l have, OF course, taken advantage
OF her weakness.
ut Is unnecessary for me to 20 into do
tails. 1t Is certainly most miserable
| piece OF composition; the only redeeming
feature In it, and for which 1t was written,
IS that it gives US an easy chance Of good
deal For in the last act her ladyshlp, as
the heroine at ball, is confronted by the
moro (your humble seryant) and convinced
that she Is In wrongful possession Of GER
tain estates. She thereupon states her in
tentlon Of leaving the place at once, and
tearing the jewels from her person bands
them to me with the remark If the lands
pelong to you the family diamonds and
| jewels do Also
Beyond this, the remainder Is all rot,
out 1t pleases her ladyship (she will have
an opportunity of displaying her riches),
ana viii certainly satisfy me If the object
Tor which 1t was written is attained.
| The jewels are SO valuable that her
ladyship has arranged for her butler to be
at the wings on the stage, and when I re-
eeiye them from her am supposed to hand
them to him to be taken to a place of safety,
had intended to make o bold rush as soon
as the stones were In my possession, but,
after careful consideration, think it bet
ter to call In your help.
~ can IN fancy picture you plying the
ola putler leaving his cosey room for the
draughts OF stage. Your sympathy does
you credit, Old boy, the moro 50 because it
can be put IN a practical form. You can
take his place that night. He is about
your height, and you will have no diff
Guilty In personating him, as you will see
from the enclosed photo. l also enclose
liver the necessary DISCUSSES. Of course.
1t is very probable that he will object, so
| you had better come with the means of
making him see the ACCESSIBILITY of agree
Ing. Do not hurt him-we had enough OF
| that On our recent expedition to last some
| time. Prevail upon him to 60 to sleep. A
drop of chloroform will help you lot.
Come up here on the 18th. This will
allow you two days in which to see the old
fellow and study his character. On the
eveltful night your procedure had better
be to call at the hall and ask to see the
butler on important business, and before
you leave see he is sound asleep and the
door locked.
DO not recognize or communicate with
me in any way. Follow tho directions I
have given, and be on the stage in good
time. When in possession of the Jewels
make tracks for the station. A train leaves
there about II o'clock. 1 will Join you as
soon as possible without creating suspicion,
and we can be out of the country in twenty
four hours with bit of luck. Be prudent,
and see you are not followed, or the game
is up. AS you know they have anfdea we
work together, and you know what it
means for-h"th or US II taken Your
ctum, Tow
The receiver of the above letter sat
in o dingy room, spelling. out the
words one by one. He was thorough
ly down on his luck" Not q lob he
had tackled had prospered, but, on
the other hand, he had had several
near escapes from capture. Without
his pal he was but machine lacking
the motive power; q man capable Of
doing great things in his profession if
the details were worked out for him.
but unable to form a plot or burgle
house on his own, with any hope of
success. But with a head, and such
head as possessed by his chum, the
machine was started, and he mechani-
Cally did his work. and did t. wnU