The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-02-12

me. It's rich!" Burglar Ben was fair
ly intoxicated with the prospect.
''You must not laughs out loud that
way, Tom," protested Susan, pinching
his arm as he dubbed over with merri-
ment.
That's so, that's so," whispered the
loving Ben, 1--WE must keep mum. You
know, my angel, we talked over sew
eral points that we thought of going to.
You still think we had best go TOTO"
"Why, to Chicago, of course! |
thought that was all settled, Tom?"
ut is, it is, certainly, my love! Now,
we're not so far from the depot, and
we must have our course fully under
stood. I've got it all thought out, you
see. We won't buy any tickets in the
depot, but pay on the train, if neces-
sary, though don't think it will be
necessary. OF course if we went to
the waiting room some one might rec
ognize us, though even you, darling,
| am sure, won't know me when you
see me, for / have on black wig and
a false mustache, and different clothes
than you ever saw me in; besides,
have changed my face, expression and
voice as much as could. I've been
practicing for this, you see."
"Oh, Tom! how smart you are"
gasped Susan.
"Yes, that's fact" assented Ben,
'I'mapretty smooth guy-I mean duck.
Anyway, when the train pulls in we
will be standing in the dark across the
way, and slip into one of the coaches
and sit down and pretend to be asleep
when the conductor comes along. You
do just what tell you and it will be o.
K, my sweetheart"
"Yes, Tom," answered Susan.
Say, my dewdrop, wouldn't 1t be ro-
mantle to get off two or three stations
out and have some preacher marry usT
cooed the captivating Ben.
"Oh, Toni" gurgled Susan.
"Then we will Oh, you are a lulu!"
murmured Ben under his breath.
Presently they stood in the dark.
ness at the end of coal shed across
the street from the depot. Scarcely any
one was moving about, and the street
lights looked like yellow spots in the
fog and gloom. The pair occasionally
exchanged whispered words, and again
Susan protested about the onions. At
last the train came in, and the men be-
gan unloading the baggage. At that
the runaway couple stole up to the
train on the dark side, slipped into
the chair car unobserved, and took
seats. The lights were turned low and
apparently the passengers were all
asleep. Susan. all a-flutter with ex-
element, glanced at her escort. She
at once opened her mouth to scream,
but Burglar Ben put his hand quickly
over her mouth.
take good look at me and see if
you don't like me in my disguised" he
whispered. Susan obediently looked
with wide, frightened eyes.
my" she gasped, "you are awfully
changed, but are handsomer than ever,
Tom"
''And you are peach!" whispered
the craftsman, squeezing her hand.
Two men reclined apparently asleep
in the seats just before them. Glanc-
ing about quickly Burglar Ben reached
over and took from their hats the blue
slips of pasteboard which conductors
give passengers after punching their
tickets. One of these he placed in his
own hat and the other he stuck in the
window-frame near Susan's head. He
then nestled down in his seat, spread
handkerchief over his face, pulled his
hat down over that, drew Susan's
yelled face on his shoulder, and began
to snore in soft, slow fashion. "When
the conductor comes through, darling,
snore just trifle," he whispered.
During this time one of the men from
whom the pasteboard slips had been
taken turned round with the noiseless
movement of a cat after mouse. He
glanced at the slip in Burglar Ben's hat,
drew pair of handouts from his
pocket, and STOPPING over the snoring
couple softly took the craclsman's
hand
what are you doing. dovey 2" muir
INJURED Burglar Ben, from under the
handkerchief. Then suddenly he leaped
up with smothered yell and tried to
strike at the man before him.
But handouts were on his wrists.
The conductor entered at that mo-
ment. Susan screamed, and the burglar
tried to dive through the window, but
was caught by his feet and held. The
depot Waterman seized him by the head
onthe outside of the car, and the gallant
cracksman came near being pulled in
twain. A brakeman quickly turned up
the light, while the conductor and the
men who had lost the slips pulled Bur-
glar Ben back into the car, leaving his
wig and mustache in the hands of the
Waterman on the outside. The ro-