The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-01
Iobnston's Adventure.

4
sgination enough to invent an untruth.
He told me that Il you should attempt
to enter into conversation with a fellow
passenger in Chicago train he probably
would present you with the card in cues-
| ton as q delicate hint that he wanted to
be left In peace.
4 am going down to Warwtekshire to-
morrow / aid''-continued Johnston
as to spend few days with scoble. and
TN take this card with me. II somIe one
insists on talking to me when I'm read
ing my paper I'll try what handing him
the card win do
II took the train at Euston, travelling
second class.
MY ,fellow-passenger was dne-looking
woman Of about 30. The heat OF the day
and the excitement OF catching the train
had given her ford color, and could
see that the desire Of condemning the
weather and exposing the wickedness OF
a calbman was strong within her.
Presently the woman caught my eye
and said: 7 beg your pardon, but VIII
you tell me the exact time? Ny cab
NAH
but here manded the woman the Chi
cago card had received the day before.
So sorry! Pray excuse me- and then
lapsed in silence, while ] resumed my
newspaper and congratulated myself on
the efficacy Of the American plan OF
dealing with railway bores.
IA Wiresden Junction another passen-
ger got In. This time II was young lady
who was evidently expected by the elder
lady.
by and by my attention was aroused
in spite Of myself by hearing the elder
lady mention my name You see.' she
said, I had to come down town today be-
cause John has asked thsk tiresome john
ston to spend a week with us. ana OF
course IT wouldn't do for me 70 be away.'
"But, auntie,' said the others how do
you know that he's dresome IL you have
never seen him?'
"T know it, for one thing, because
Johns friends always are iresome. IL
does seem as If he deliberately selected
the most stupid men he could md and
asked them down TO Greencroft, just to
make life a burden to me. And then, my
dear, for another thing, tried to read
this detestable Johnston's books. Any
thing more stupid and silly you can't pos
sfbly imagine
$50 was actually travelling In the same
carriage with Scoble's wife and niece, and
the former was dreading my arrival at
her house and booking upon me as q tire
some nuisance.
The two ladies talked on, but happily
seemed to forget the existence OF the I'M
fortunate Johnston. Once Mrs. Scoble
came to the window where I was sitting.
to point out something to her niece, and
the swaytng of the carriage nearly threw
her on my lap.
"Just then the elder lady began one Of
those nervous and hurried searches for
her purse which women when travelling
are so prone to make.
1t Is gone!' she exclaimed; and am
sure that fellow in the corner picked my
pocket when was looking out Of his
window
"CIe could not have done that replied
the niece, for / was booking at him at
the time, and he never once took his
hands or eyes away from his newspaper.
MY dear Child! Do you suppose you
are quick enough to watch the motions OF
a professional pickpocket? That man has
my purse, am perfectly sure Of It; and
/ shall give him in charge the moment
we get DO Rugby
ut was clear that I must bolt from
the carriage the instant the train reached
the Rugby platform, and before a police
man could DE called. The train was al
ready slowing. and hastily gathered up
my rug and umbrella and prepared to
move toward the door.
mo, you don't, my man. said Mrs.
Scoble, rising and taking possession OK
the door by the simple process OF thrust
ing half of her ample person through the
window.
AZ saw at once that the game was up.
"'That man has picked my pocket,
said Mrs. Scoble, as soon as the police
man opened the door. Search him and
you'll find my purse In his possession. 1t
is marked "A. ID. S." and has four Ave-
pound notes. two sovereagns and some
change in 1t. besides my ticket
What do you say Of this" the police
man asked me, evidently impressed with
the certainty Of my Gutt.
Simply that It isn't true I replied.
L know nothing Of the lady's purse. and
can easily convince you that ] am re-
spectacle person
my goodnessr exclaimed my accuser.
Why, the fellow isn't deaf and dumb
after all! Constable. he pretended 10 be
deaf and dumb. That shows what
scoundrel he isl
al rose up to follow the policeman, and
my foot struck against something that
was lying on the floor OF the carriage. /
stopped and picked 1t up. 1t was the
missing purse.
lis that your purse. madam asked.
as held 1t up. You must have dropped
1t when you were looking out Of my win
dow
~ wouldn't advise you to play that
game any more said the policeman. Sc
verely. Let me tell you, SIR, that IL you
travel under false pretenses you needn't
be surprised II you find yourself IN trou-
BILE. You will have to give me your name
and address. in case anything more comes
Of this
Il gave him my address as sopn as
could get away from the carriage, and at
the same time gave BIN . surreptitious
FIVE shilhngs and asked him not TO give
my name to Mrs. scoble.
81 saw Sc0ble on the platform as the
train drew up at Greencroft. but he did
not see me- for had concealed myself be-
hind the curtains Of the carriage.
watched him until his back was turned
and then sprang out and boited into the
cloakroom, which was close at hand. i
had hoped 10 remain there until seosde
had left the station. but was disappoint-
ed. The porter in attendance, finding
that l had no particular business with
him, Immediately suspected me OF designs
upon the property under his charge and
told me that l must not stay IN the cloak
room. tried bribery, but the action only
confirmed his suspicious. and he roughly
ordered me to go about my business or
he would have me arrested just then
ScJbie s3ied me.
why. here you are, after air he ex-
Where on earth have you
beenT
The niece had returned. and was
standing looking in bewiIderment. first az |