The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-14
EVANSVILLE, W. VA. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY "a 1899.

find n policeman at st. George, and Is
tercept her as she stepped on the
boat.
She reached the station lust in time
TO SEQ the book agents skirt whisk
through the door Of forward car; she
herself was hauled onto the last CDR
by an obliging brakeman just as the
train moved off.
Arrived ut st. George; Mrs. Spread
brow hurriedly sccosted a policeman.
explained that the young woman in
the gray linen dress, carrying the
black satchel, had committed theft.
and urged him excitedly to detain her
The officer hesitated moment, and
then interposing his portly form be,
tween the young girl and the gang
plank, touched her lightly on the arm
and said. pointing to Mrs. Spread
brow:
DO you know this ladyP"
1es-that is, I went to her house
and she WAS"
Twill You come out of this crowd?'
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her firmnes.
suddenly forsaking her, "I-I want
to speak to you
But L will miss my boat" ex.
postulated the girl nervously. Nj,
mother will be waiting for me and
what can you mean by calling a police
man to stop me?" she concluded with
frightened eyes, as if full realization
of the situation had but just flashed
upon her.
The fact is" explained the police
man, "this lady wants me to arrest
you for theft, but maybe you can ex.
PLAIN certain suspicious circum-
stances"
The girl was white to the lips now.
and the look of despairing fright in b ell
eyes was pitiful to see.
"For theft-me-fo theft?" she
said with stiff lips.
20, 10 come where il is quiet"
urged the accuser, looking as dis.
tressed us the accused, and then the
three went into the ferry house.
Sit down, said Mrs. Spreadbrow.
weakly, when they had reached a
quiet corner of the big room.
Thank you, prefer to stand, " re-
piled the girl, proudly "And may I
ask what you accuse me of stealing?''
II" said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
trembling before the pale little
thief, 1--WE think you took Mrs.
Iownley's purse out of my parlor this
morning; you were the only person
In the room beside myself between
the time she left it there and the time
we found it gone, and"
MY God!' murmured the book
agent, dropping into seat and cover
ing her face with her hands. Presently
she recovered herself, and, turning to
the policeman, said: Search nv
satchel, please. And you," to Mrs.
Spreadbrow, 'you may search nv
person; and may God forgive your
20, my dear, L can't can't; when /
look at you L can't be-be- But
everything's against you Mrs.
Spreadbrow's eyes were full of tears.
and her voice trembled.
There amt no purse here but this
one" remarked the policeman, who
had been rummaging through the
contents of the black satchel, holding
up slim pocket book.
"That's mine. Look through il,
you will find just twenty cents. :" The
book agent spoke very calmly.
That's right" he assented, put.
ting the purse back "But, of course.
the money may be hid on the lady's
person, he added cautiously.
Here it is! Here it isl" cried a
painting but triumphant voice, aud
Mrs. Townley, flushed and excited.
rushed toward the trio waving n
much-mauled Russian leather bag.
such as some ladies are fond of carry.
ing their bandkerchiefs and purses in.
1T was that wretched black and
white puppy! He must have taken il
out of the parlor, and Eddie found
him chewing it to pieces in the
garden. Why, what is the matter.
Hattie?' for Mrs. Spreadbrow had
dropped into seat, and, regardless
of curious eyes, was weeping copiously.
"I-I-Tm SO sorry. But things
did look so against You. Ple-please
forgive me.
The little book agent wavered mo.
ment, indignation, scorn and pity
chasing each other across her face.
Then she slipped down beside the
distressed little lady and taking one
OF her limp hands, said simply:
81 do forgive you. Pray don't CRY.
But please, next time you miss any
thing, be sure the black and white
puppy hasn't taken it before YOU dc
eide that anybody else has"
She could not refrain from the mild
shot, and though it was tremulouslv
aimed, it did not miscarry but went
straight to Mrs. Spreadbrow's heart.
where it has lodged ever since"
And so it was the black and white
puppy He is a sedate dog now and
a great favorite of Miss Amelia Banks
-ex-book agent-who declares that
if it had not been for him she would
never have obtained her pfSsent
lucrative and congeuial position i'm
Mr.. Spreadbrow's Office, where the
painful memories of her experience ne
a book agent-and other painful
mem ories rs welfare fast fading into
oblivion. Boston Globe.
Miniature oxen.