The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-25
TEE CHASING OF GEORGE FENToN.

hour oe the night such a figure rushing
alonr the street could hardly escape ex-
citing interest. VINO first started the
rhase IS imuaeerial-probably some
3cafer of the payement-but very soon
crowd Of respectable dimensions fol-
lowed upon his heels with cries OF
Stop, thief r.
Their shouts at first fell upon deaf fears,
bus finally, as they gained upon him,
Fmson became aware Of his pursuers.
He now seems to have remembered the
remnant Of the dagger which ne still
carried, and hs tried to get rid OF 1t.
Sseing a wall at his side, he hurled the
HIT over the coping. hoping to lose it
an the eosher side, but he aimed too low,
and Is fell as the feet of his foremost
pursner, who stopped down to see what
was This put a moments pause into
ti,e Uusstit, and that moment gave Fen
Ton his chance. He fed as If the furies
nf hell Fere after him-as luck would
have it ran into no one-aad after end
! less doukIing and redoubling at length
found himself m Oxford street hatless,
breathless, quivering with excitement,
but the rsoment safe from pursuit. See
ing an omnibus passing by he jumped
upon 1t without noting or caring for its
destination. There was barely room for
saim On the footboard. and his neighbor
ssrongly objected TO being crushed.
lie Z aEas you, guyn'r, " said he i
ahould wait ter the next nm. Ten tar
one it'H bring your bloonin tile along,
with II.
Gully then was Fenton aware that his
hat was missing. Il he wished to escape
notice, It was evident he must get hold
of another, and that at once, so he I'M
mediateiy entered into negotiations with
sne speaker.
DO Won think I'm a-goin to git q
nissin yrord of cold fer a bioke Like
you: Net ie I knowsit. =
suppose even your hat has its
prices'' said Fenton-
Not bein q 6ookal coronet, it hain't.
& Do yeu think as 'ow I'd be seen In the
streets uf London without tile? I've
reputytaon to lose if You 'aven't
What do you say to shillings for
IT, asked Fenton persuasively.
Five bob fer my billycockl Five bob
Ger Linken and Bennik's hexerbishon
prodoose. You must tyke me fer a
blooEni1l f1att Yon can ave the feather
in It fer that precise sum If you want.
Tkere'sia good deal Of warmth in py-
cocks feather. although you mightn't
think Il. {,
Seven and six?''
Seven and a tanner. Well, that's
more reasonable 1t 'ud be pity fer
you 80 tyke cold, a nice young man like
you, with future afore you. Seven and
six does il. Bu. what about the feather?
s>I'ye tyken likin TO thas pycock's
ploome. sits and watches it fer hours
ON vet Sundays. It seems to sorter re-
mind me of the rynebows ! used to see
when was yo1ng and unspotsed from
the world. ,.
You can keep your feather, :" said
Fenton, and he put on tie greasy hat.
At the Marble arch the destination Of
the bus was called ont
ssR'y'l Oak. Rsy'l Oak! Crown.
Hariesden r
Fenson now had time to consider his
plans. He felt in his pockets and found
he had still couple Of soyereigns and
q few coppers. It hardly seemed enough
to conduct q successful fight from the
arms of the law. but it would at any
rate see him clear Of the metropolis be-
fore the hue and cry was raised if he
took train at once. At Paddingson he
almost got down, but for enc reason or
another he decided in favor OF Wllies-
den junction. The rain was now falling
heavily. and the fugitive was by this
time pretty well drenched, but fearing
to come across some ene who knew him
he dared not take an inside seat. There
he sas in the pouring rain despite the
invitations of the conductor, the one
solitary passenger on the roof.
How he cursed the slow progress OF
the vehiclel Some imp Of mischief
seemed to be playing the fool with
them, and it seemed as though they
never would arrive in safety at their
destination. At Westbourne Grove they
srazed iamppost. and the frightened
horses attempted bolt. Higher up I ley
almost ran over gentleman returning
unsteadily from temperance demon
stration, and finally one horse came
down on the slippery road. They walk
ed past Kensal Green cemetery as if they
were taking part in funeral. but driv-
er and horses plucked, up courage as
they neared port, and they drew up at
the Crown at smart trot. Here Fenton
incautiously asked the conductor the
way to the railway station
It was upon the stroke of IL when he
reached the junction, and he found TO
his great JOY thas the night express
woald pass tkrongh in few minutes
Where was. he to go: At first be thought