Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-03-30
CAUGHT AT LAST.


ReSan one mad March night during a
5oufiey from north to south, beginning
at the town Of Preston, Lancashire.
Having adjusted my wraps and made
myself comfortable in the corner Of the
third-class carriage which my porter
had got for me, l took stock of the
three other passengers who occupied
the other end of the compartment.
A big, lusty, fresh-looking fellow in
stout tweeds, and wearing a Scotch cap
Was seated with his face toward the
engine; young lady and young gen.
tleman faced him, the young gentleman
having the corner, the lady resting her
head on his shoulder.
From an opening in the folds of his
overcoat caught the CLEAN Of pair
of handouts, He was captive.
The lady, however, smiled tearfully,
and in soft, coaxing tones, said:
"Mr. Sutcliffe, couldn't you loosen
the irons? They're chatting his wrists
So"
Didn't he say he'd shoot me?' an
swered the big man, who / now under
derstood was a policeman in plain
clothes taking prisoner south.
Then the lady burst into tears, and
with laugh Sutciiffe met her half
way, unlocked the horrid bracelets, and
let loose one of Dardy's wrists.
There, mon," said he, you can put
yer arm round 'er. But moan of yer
little games wi me. I've carried
pris 'ners all DER England Scotland and
Ireland, and never lost mon yet"
Then the lady pleaded splitting
headache and the cap was drawn over
the lamp by general consent, and |
curled up in my corner
We sped on awhile. Sutcliffe was
ep-sound-snoring heavily. Then
/ dropped off, and remembered nothing
clearly till we pulled up with jerk. l
woke Sutcliffe woke.
The lamp was burning low, but it
gave light enough to show us car
riage which contained only our two
selves.
My groom!" roared Sutcliffe. my
bird has flown. Did we stop betwixt
Crewe and here?"
| couldn't say
He said no more. Swiftly he grab
bed at his cap, his wraps and small
bag, slipped on his boots and opened
the carriage door.
One evening, some three years later,
my wife being down at the seaside, and
l finding the time heavy on my hands,
;ptN ,N;t Of fa rnln
house
Before the curtain had been up many
minutes my attention was drawn to a
big man who had a seat in the front
row of the pit.
l looked and looked-and then 1 rec
ognized my friend Sutcliffe, the police
man of my midnight journey.
After the first act he pushed his way
out, and touched him on the shoulder.
You don't remember me-"
He scrutinized me for moment. and
then nearly shook my hand off.
"Why-for sure do--eh! 1t cost me
my place i t foorce, did that job.
Alive never clapped eyes on that pair
since"
Then we got to our places and saw
by his gestures and his looks at me
that ho was telling his buXom wife the
story of that mad March night
Suddenly l saw his face turn rigid,
and he rose up in his seat, as if he was
about to leap into the stalls. His wife
pulled him back and talked eagerly to
him.
Down came the curtain, out came
Sutcliffe grabbed my shoulder in his
hands, and said out loud:
I'm dommed if that theer Dandy
beant a-sittin' rect i front o. me-"
I followed his eyes, and at once rec
ogniZed that cynical curl of the lip,
that rather effieminate prisoner who
had escaped from custody between
Crewe and Stafford.
He was dressed III the height of fash
ion He was standing with his face
toward the circle, peering at fashion
through pair of glasses.
"Hallo!" said Satellite, why he's
getten a new mssLs.'
Yes" hissed heavily yelled woman
DeHlHu us. NOW, arrest MIN, MT. sui
cliffe. You're not going to let him go,
are you?"
We both started. 1t was the lady
who had escaped with Dandy
Nay, missus, I'm not i t force now.
Yo mon catch him yerself-yo let him
60"
She was trembling like leaf in the
wind, and casting 2 venomous look at
lis swiftly left the theater.
We both of us watched the unsus-
pecting Dandy during the last act, with
scarce look at the stage or an ear for
the music. But none enjoyed it more
than the cynical Dandy and his charm
ing lady.
A few minutes before the finale we
saw him place splendid cloak upon
her fair shoulders and pass politely
along the row to the door
Our party followed their example.
We raced round to the front door, and
were just in time TO see the escaped
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