The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-22
AFTER The FACT.
How Miss Farley Allotted a Burglar.
BY w. PETIT RIDGE.

This is first-ciass.' said Miss Par
ley in a warning tone.
IF you're third, miss" replied the
man with the clumsy bag. laundering
into the compartment, you'd better
hop out quick.
The Csc p. m. started. and having put
his bag in the corner, he turned, lean
ing half his body out of the window
and holding his bowler hat with one
hand Miss Farley. we'll dressed in
furs, with denure bonnet appropriate
| to her age and manner, glanced
through the window at the face. and
shivered.
He's lost it." remarked the man,
! turning to her, and looking out again.
swore softly at the rushing wind. When
/ the train had said goodbye to the
into the tunnel he brought himself in
and stumbled back to the corner, where
he sat near to the awkwardly filed
bag, half covering it with his coat.
L never had a pal yut,,' he said, as
! the train went clamorously, what l
could trust"
81 beg your pardon?' said Miss Par
L say" he repeated, raising his
voice. that I never yut come across
the man what [ could say to. You're as
good as what am. There isn't a sin
gle one of 'em but what's got some
fault"
Few of us here below are perfect. ;"
said Miss Farley sententiously. Sin
comes natural to US poor mortals,
and"
Il can't 'elp your troubles" inter
rupted the man. What l want is d
bit of your assistance"
Il am strongly opposed" said the
middle-aged lady. with great decision,
TO indiscriminate charity. / will give
you d note to the secretary of the
II know your sort" he remarked
acutely. Give away every bloomin'
thing except gifts. Find out what poor
people want, and see they don't get it.
| Ho, yesi I've met crowds Ike you.
| Fortunately ] don't want your 'elp, as
you understand it. All want is a bit
of common courtesy.
Il trust" she said. politely, that 1
am not wanting in it."
II 'ope. too, that you're pretty we'll
supplied" The train came out of the
tunnel into the open evening mist, and
the cloud disappeared from the win
! dows. See this yer bag?"
Miss Farley adjusted her pince-nez
and inspected it. 1t was an odd bag,
with a leather handle at each hand;
the contents bulged it unevenly; the
surface bore some European labels
moved from other luggage, for they
did not stick with confidence.
IL said Miss Farley, with caution,
Il must confess that 1 do see that
bag"
"Ah," remarked the man. ironically,
now / can tell I'm dealing with a
smart person. Now / know that I can
rely on you for doing what I want YOU
to do in a 'ighlyl intelligent manner.
Are you going to Charing Crosse"
II am" replied Miss Farley.
Thought SO. Got no luggage, ave
your"
Il am only going to meeting ex-
planned Miss Farley, stroking the fur
of her muff, and naturally l have no
luggage"
Pm not blamin' of YOU" said the
man generously. 1T makes your work
all the easier This bag contains Are
you fond of kids?'' he asked suddenly.
81 adore children
Every well, them he said, with a
relieved air. This bag contains pres
ents for my youngsters"
! Have you many children?"
Tons of EN- said the man.
How charming"
You amt seen en-" he said grimly
BE that as il may. this bag contains
presents for EN-. I've got TO get out at
Waterloo
Waterloo said Miss Farley. lis the
station before you get. to Charing
Cross
You do know something" remarked
the man admiringiey He took off his
neckerchef and fixed on collar, high
and rather white. The change altered
his appearance greatly. I've got to
get out at Waterloo; you're goin' to
| Charing Cross. Now, do you sind
leaving this bag for me in the cloak
! room there unGer-say your name and
a NUMBER" Miss Farley contracted her
forehead momentarily and pursed her
lips. Otherwise, he went on, earnest
ly and pathetically, otherwise six little
'eads III lay 'emselves down on their
white pliers tonight, crying 'emselves
to sleep: six little eads, all curly ones,
III be full of sorrer and gnashin of
teeth: six little 'eads II"
For the sake of the dear children, -
said Miss Farley. I will do as You
wish. Here is my card; I'll put num-
Der upon it. What number shall
write2"
Put 1866, " he said. leaning across in
terestedly. Date that good old bloom
ing Wellington won the battle of Water
| loo
Ten sixty-six.' she repeated. as she
| wrote. There, my mani You can send
for it with that card and the dear lit
tie children viii not be disappointed.
Bless their carts he said, taking
the. card.
I When the train ratified presently
across the bridge into Cannon street
the man gave a very fair imitation of
paternal feeling. He dabbed at his eyes
! with white speckled blue handker-
chief; he shook his head pathetically.
AS the train backed out of the station
he lifted the heavy bag to the side
where Miss Farley was sitting.
ANY slight expenses, miss, that you
might be put to-
Don't mention that. my man. For
the sake Of the dear little ones / would
take almost any trouble
It'll be called for about II p. M he
said. "by a lady friend. In fact" he
added. with burst of frankness, "the
lady I'm engaged to. if you must know. -
But the children"-
oh" he said. readily, I'm an adj
] jective widower.'
Miss Farley trembled a little; the
man muttered to himself a reproof for
his carelessness of speech. The train,
showed up at Waterloo and he opened
the door and put his head out Instant
~ he turned, and rushing toward the
other door. and growing an earnest
warning TO her, partly jumped and
partly fell out on the ballast. Miss
Farley looked out as she pulled this
door to, saw him hobbling cautiously
| in the dusk by the side of the train.
I thought" she said, with great
cautiousness. that he was not really
! first-class."
Then Miss Farley took out her plump
| purse and prepared to do something of
an extremely ingenious nature; extract
ed from the purse six bright shillings
loosened with some difficulty as the
train went once more across the