The Opelousas courier., 1898-02-19
IN TIE VAULTS OF THE
"WHITE HORSE"
HHAHAAAAAHAAAAAAAAA

I'D give a years salary to la
hands on the impudent rogues."
The chief constable of Wallbur:
was speaking to one of his subordi
mates, Inspector Miller.
$50 would T., sir" responded til
official /; 'and I don't believe there's
member of the force who wouldu'
give a triae to scrape an acquaintanc,
with this Flash Jim-or whatever tn
fellows lame is. However, we'y,
nothing to work upon"
"But these" put in the chief, dis
playing a number of coins. Greatly
Miller, this fellow is an artist,
king among smashers. These coin.
are as near the real thing as it's pos.
sib.e to make them, and I've not til.
slightest doubt that I should hay,
accepted them myself if they'd beer
rendered to me-"
Every possible, sir" went or
Miller, "Mr. Markham, landlord O:
the White Horse, is as smart as most
men, but he was bitten"
At that moment the magistrates en-
tered the court house.
"Well," whispered the chairman,
leaning V the table to the chief
constable, ''have you heard any
thing?"
'tSeveral complaints this morning.
Sir. The rascal is still at work, but
we have nc clew as yet"
"Confound the fellow" muttered
the chairman, He's making a laugh
ing stock of the finest force in the
provinces"
There was only one item on the
charge sheet that morning, and the
prisoner pleaded guilty to having been
drunk and disorderly.
"Ten shillings and costs or IA
days." said the chairman, as soon as
the constable had given his evidence.
A gentleman in clerical attire here
stepped forward and explained, with
a pronounced lisp, that he was the
the curate of st. Olave's, Westheath.
The prisoner, who was formerly n
OF his parishioners, had hitherto borne
a blameless character, and to give him
another chance in life, he (the curate)
would pay the fine.
Having done SO, he bowed politely
to the bench and led his protege from
the court.
Half an hour later Inspector Miller
hurried to the chiefs room. In his
excitement he forgot the respect due
to his superior, and raped out some
thing very much like an oath.
"Miller!" CALCULATED the chief con-
81 beg your pardon, sir, "stammered
The inspector, "but-er-that is-the
"Well?"
"He's slipped through fingers,
sir can't be found anywhere"
"What on earth do you want him
demanded the chief.
BEG pardon, sir, 1 forgot. He paid
fine in court this morning"
II know that, man. Is that a
rhine, or are you"
"Well, here's the money, SIR
olurted out the inspector, throwing
Town a number of coins on the table.
With grave doubts as to the others
the chief picked up one of the
coins and examined it-then another.
md another, until all had been in
Spurious, every one Of 'emr, he
sinking into the chair.
Fol some minutes neither of them
poke. The very audacity Of the thing
lad taken their breaths away.
Suddenly Miller jumped to his feet.
lie had a vague notion that he had
cen that curate before.
Can l have a fortnight's leave sir.
nd permission to take what I want
rom the police museum?" he asked.
Take what you like, Miller, but for
GOODNESS sake let us have the last
augh on our side."
The inspector promised to do his
est, and shortly afterwards he left his
hief's presence.
Inc police! Bah They amt
'orth tuppence a Dozen"
Sllas Markham, landlord of the
White Horse" and owner Of another
dozen licensed houses in Wall
urn, folded his arms owe ,his broad
lest, and gave utterance to the above
,ntemptuons remark.
They don't possess the wits thew
ere born WITH" he went on. "Why.
Dor Drinking Dan there would give
q best of EN- points and a beating"
The individual referred to was lean
g unsteadiiy against a pillar. He
rs o well known character, was Dan.
or a year or more he had been miss
8 from his accustomed haunts-
NOR said he had passed the time in
land it was only the other day
at ne turned up and claimed his
rner in the bar of the oWhite
orse."
AYE, aye chuckled the old topper /,
ne waddled over to the bar for {
mother two penn'orth O.. Scotch ]
Drinking Dan ain't-(hic)-the big
st FOOL aloive.n
OF course, not, Dan ; you're only
. OF EN-, returned Markham, as he /
cketedthe twopenee.
The laugh was against Dan. and. 4
was q dangerous CLEAN IN the
q the halfWitted wreck, az he |