Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-01-13

way! The performance would break
the record This is picnic. romance
worthy Of the profesh! Iwouldn't get
the diamonds-oh, mol of course could
take 'em away from her now, but the
lovin' thing, she would fall dead in her
tracks, besides would miss all the fun
There's no danger. 1 walked into the
town yesterday evenin' as a tramp with
a pack, through the contents of the
bundle I'm now a dudei I amt cribbed
anything; the cop won't be layin' for
me. It's rich!" Burglar Ben was fair
~ intoxicated with the prospect
"You must not laugh out loud that
way, Tom" protested Susan, pinehing
his arm as he dubbed over with merri-
ment.
That's so. that's So" whispered the
loving Ben, I'VE must keep mum You
know, my angel. we talked over sew
eral points that we thought Of going 10,
You still think we had best go Toto
why, 10 Chicago, Of course!
thought that was all settled. Tom"
at is, IL 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 II all thought out. You
see. We won't buy any tickets in the
depot. but pay on the train. If neces-
sary. though I don't think II will be
necessary. OF course if we went TO
the waiting room some one might rec
ogrize Us. though even you, darling,
I am sure. won't know me when you
see me. for I have on a black wig and
a false mustaehe. and different clothes
than you ever saw me IN; besides. I
have changed my face. expression and
voice as much as I could. I've been
practicing for this. you see"
''Oh. Tom. how smart you are"
gasped Susan.
Eyes. that's a fact" assented Ben,
''T'm pretty smooth guy 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 I tell you and it will be o.
| E. my sweetheart"
eyes. Tom" answered Susan.
''Say. my dewdrop. wouldn't II be TO
mantle to get off two or three stations
/ out and have some preacher marry US"
cooed the captivating Ben.
"Oh. Tom" gurgled Susan.
Then we viii. Oh. you are lulu!A
| murmured Ben under his breath.
Presently they stood in the dark
ness at the end of a 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
I ---h-E-@z-al ~r1-Ic nd oroS-7
/ 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-futter 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 a good look at me and see if
You don't like me in my disguised" ne
whispered. Susan obediently looked
with wide, frightened eyes.
My" she gasPed, you are awfully
changed, but are handsomer than ever,
Tom"
"And you are a 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 a soft, slow fashion. when
| the conductor comes through, darling,
srore just trife," 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 al the slip in Burglar Ben's hat,
drew a pair of handouts from his
! pocket, and STOPPING over the snoring
/ couple softly took the cracksman's
/ hand.
/ What are you doing, dovey?' muir
INJURED Burglar Ben. from under the
/ handkerchief. Then suddenly he leaped
/ up with a smothered yell and tried to
I 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
[ on the outside of the car, and the gallant
craftsman came near being pulled il
1 twain. 4 brakeman quickly turned uI
1 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 thu
watchman on the outside. The 70
mantle craftsman looked common
place. but fought with uncommon
/ spirit
"Oh. it isn't Tom! It isn't my Ton
at ALL" screamed Susan, jumping NJ
and down in the aisle of the car. Tn
/ clipping with the wrong mani" II
/ CONSERVATION she turned TO the stran.
ger who had manipulated the hand
cuffs. oh" she cried with JOY, "yor
/ are Tom. You are Toni"
NO. am not said he; I'm Tum
not Tom. 1 just got IN from Frisco
/ Am on the detective force out there. Sc
/ happened to have a pair of handouts
/ in my pocket. Would have been car
/ ried by the station only this scoundrei