The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-08
A DIFFERENCE.

go5 LOT me, TOOK stock OF the three other
passengers who occupied the other end of
the compartment.
A big, lusty, fresh looking fellow in
stout tweeds and wearing a Scotch cap,
was seated with his face toward the en-
CINE. A young lady and a young gentle
man faced him, the young gentleman hay
ing the corner, the lady resting her head
on his shoulder. A sudden angry move
ment of the mans limbs disturbed his
clothes. From an opening in the folds of
his oYercOat caught the CLEAN of a pair
OF handouts. He was captive. The lady,
however, smiled tearfully and in soft,
coaxing tones said:
Mr.. Sutcliffe, couldn't you loosen the
irons? They're chatting his wrists So
Didn't he say he'd shoot me?"
Then the lady burst into tears, and with
laugh Sutcliffe met her half way, I'M
locked the horrid bracelets and let loose
one of Dandy's wrists.
There, mon, - said he, ''you can put
yer arm round 'er. It's t. lass I'm sorry
for-new welded too. A-wen, I'm sorry
for you, and, - casting a soft look at the
lady, went on, I'm goin to be welded
myself on Easter Monday, and, dang it!
don't care who knows it
Then the Lady pleaded a splitting head
ache and the cap was drawn over the lamp
by general consent, and curled up in my
corner.
We sped on awhile. Sutcliffe was asleep
misunderstanding heavily. Then drop
ped off and remembered nothing clearly
till we pulled up with jerk. I woke.
Sutcliffe woke.
my goom?'' he roared. "My bird has
flown. Did we stop betwixt Crewe and
here?'
couldn't say.
He made use of no oath. He said no
more. Swiftly he grabbed at his cap, his
wraps and small bag, slipped on his
boots and opened the carriage door. AS
he was stepping out he said to me:
ono wedding for me on Easter Mon
day"
And off we went, and reached Euston
without further adventure.
One evening some three years later, my
wife being down at the seaside, and I find
ing the time heavy on my hands, dropped
into the pit of a famous playhouse.
Before the curtain had been up many
minutes my attention was drawn to big
man who had a seat in the front row of
the pit.
never heard any one laugh so heartily
at the antics of any comedian-it was
Arthur Roberts in his merriest mood.
'Ho! hol hop The girls on the stage
were soon tittering at his expberant ap-
precautions.
looked and looked, and then recog-
nized my friend Sutcliffe, the policeman
of my midnight journey.
AIUer GQ6 aCG ne puSQeQ MS way
out, and touched him on the shoulder.
''You don't remember me-
He scrutinized me for moment and
then nearly shook my hand off.
"Why, for sure do, Ell? 1t cost me my
place i t. foorce, did that job. I got
t. sack rect enough. But t. weddin'S
COON off at last. TheeB she is-she's wait
ed three long year for me-and who's
bound back to Canada wi me. Eth, mon,
I'm on my own hook-am employer O.
labor, I've cattle and hosses-I'n die
a rich mon yet. Coon and ave a drink.
I've never clapped eyes on that pair
since
cit was a good nights work for you,
then, Sutcliffe? Here's to Mrs. So And
drank to her and to him.
f'Any little Sutcliffes?''
''Ho, hoI That's a good I'M Why, we're
honeymo0nin, mon. COON and ave some
supper wi us, will your
Then we got to our places, and saw by
his gestures and his looks at me that he
was telling his buxom wife the story of
that mad March night
Suddenly I saw his face turn rigid, and
he rose up in his seat as if he was about
to leap into the stalls.
His wife pulled him back and talked
eagerly to him.
Then the curtain went up, but no
more laughter came from that quarter.
What was wrong2 What had happened?
Down came the curtain, out came SUIT
cliffe, grabbed my shoulder in his hand
and said out loud:
''I'm dommed if that theer Dandy beant
a-sittin rect i front O me-"
I followed his eyes and at once recog-
nized that cynical curl of the lip, that
rather effeminate prisoner who had escaped
from custody between Crewe and Stafford.
He was dressed in the height of fashion,
a little more bejeweled than a gentleman
born, but not conspicuousIy SO. He was
standing with his face toward the circle,
peering at fashion through a pair of
glasses.
Having satisfied himself, he bent down
with smile to a very pretty young wom-
an, charmingly dressed and wearing some
lovely jewels in her hair.
"Hellol' said Sutcliffe. FWhy, he's
1etten new missus.''
Eyes" Kissed heavily yelled woman
behind US.
She had been my neighbor in the corner
during the opening act and had sus-
pected, possibly with truth, that she had
come to pick pockets rather than to see
the play. Then she whispered in the big
man S ear:
Now arrest him, Mr.. Sutcliffe. You're
not going to let him go, are yOu?'
We both started. 1t was the lady who
had escaped with Dandy.
Sutcliffe was puzzled for a moment.
Then he said to the angry woman:
NAY, missus, I'm not i t. fOOrce now.
Yo' mon catch him yerself-yo' let him
co.
She was trembling like a leaf in the
wind and, casting a venomous look at US,
swiftly left the theater.
''She means vengeance said Sutcliffe.
"He's given her the chuck. I know
where she's gone.
A few minutes before the finale we saw
Dandy place a splendid cloak upon his
companions fair shoulders and pass po-
litely along the row to the door. Our
party followed their example. We raced
round to the front door and were just in