The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-25

acted when he discovered that he had
been touched" Perhaps all his passeng-
ers had been placed under arrest. look
ed for a telephone station, but the con-
ductor would hardly be so rash.
What would he do when he went in the
managers Office to make his report?
Six dollars and seventy-nine cents
short!
His weeks salary! He was such meek
looking man too! He looked like a man
with a wife and seven children.
1 wished 1 knew where he lived. But L
didn't.
Hold! why not return the money to MN
Why not slip il back in his pocket as
stealthily as 1 had removed it? But what
was the number of his car?
Let me think: Thirty seven? NO. Thlr-
ty-one? No not thirty-one. Thir-thir'
thirteenl thirteen, Unlucky thirteen!
l remembered distinctly having noticed
il when / boarded the car.
car was passing now, that wasn't
thirteen.
Thirteen's route was away out in the
suburbs three miles away No matter u
il had been three hundred miles 1 would
have gone.
started back. walking briskly. 1
wouldn't take a car, they were too slow
l must run.
People stared as / went hurrying by No
matter, l was nearly there.
All! there was the corner I had alight-
ed on when I left car 10. A car was COM
ing up the track, but not thirteen.
I paced anxiously up and down the
street Another car was coming from the
opposite direction, but that was number
seventeen. Where was car number thir-
teen?
It may have had some accident and been
sent to the stables; no telling.
Fifteen agonizing minutes l spent before
another car hove in sight. l had deter
mined to inquire about the fate OF num-
Der thirteen and approached the advanc-
ing car with that intent. But, thank
Heaven, there was no need of the inquiry.
The car was thirteen itself!
1 grasped the hand-rail fondly and
swung myself on the rear platform;
scarcely a half dozen passengers in the
car!
The conductor was at the front end APP
parently talking to the motorman. l
wanted to get near him. 1 entered and
took seat as near him as possible. He
turned, collected my fare and passed to
the rear platform. Involuntary 1 follow
ed He was couversing, in a low tone to
person wearing a SLOUGH hat and fuzzy
overcoat. I surmised he was giving a de-
tective a description of the picking of his
pocket. AS an excuse for my presence
lit a cigarette, and tried to appear uncon-
cerned. The conductor and the SLOUGH hat
parsonage continued to converse in low
tones. I had the money grasped tightly in
my hand awaiting an opportunity to re-
turn it.
Mercy! Would that opportunity never
arrive?
Suppose when 1t did arrive should miss
his. pocket and drop the entire sum on the
floor? What a dilemma l shuddered at the
thought.
/ could not hope to continue riding up
and down the line without exciting sus-
picion
Suddenly the car stopped with jolt A
flock of early birds. returning from a night
of reveiry was waiting to board it.
Al last the supreme moment had ar
rived
l stationed myself as near the conductor
as possible and waited for the push
An inebriated brute clambered up the
steps. his followers treading on his heels
and making as much confusion as pos
sble.
NV hand was out, grouping for the con-
ductors pocket. | allowed the inebriated
| Individual TO jam me unceremonlously
| against the conductors ribs In that mo-
ment my hand found its haven and re-
| lieved itself of its detestabie burden.
l heaved a sigh of relief and escaped In
| the darkness.