The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-10-14

told it to me himself, and he has NOT
imagination enough to invent an un-
truth.
He told me that if you should attempt to
enter into conversation with fellow pas
senger in a Chicago train he probably
would present you with the card in ques-
ton as delicate hint that be wanted to be
left in peace
{" Il am going down to Warwickshire to.
morrow | said" continued Johnston
'to spend few days with Scohle, and I'll
take this card with NE. If some one in
ssts on talking to me when Pm reading
my paper I'll try what handing him the
card will do.
81 took the train at Euston, travelling
second class.
"My fellow passenger was a iine-looking
woman of about 30. The heat Of the day
and the excitement of catching the train
had given her forid coloI and l could see
that the desire OF condemning the weather,
and exposing the wickedness of a cabman
was strong within her.
"Presently the woman caught my eye
and said, i beg your pardon, but will you
tell me the exact time? My cabman'
"But here | handed the woman the Chi
cago card had received the day before.
''She read it and then said, oh, indeed
So sorry. Pray excuse me- and then
lapsed in silence, while l resumed my
newspaper and congratulated myself on the
efficacy of the American plan of dealing
with railway bores.
at is true that my conscience did give
me an occasional twipge, for the distinction
between telling lie and handing person
a ready-made lie printed on card was not
very perceptible. | asked myself whether
in giving the woman card with the words,
Il am deaf and dumb, had not been
guilty of lying as certainly as should have
been if had told her the same thing in so
many words.
''At Willesden Junction another passcn-
ger got in. This time it 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 to-day because John has
asked that tiresOme Johnston to spend a
week with US and of course it would not
do for me to be away
"'But auntie, said she other, how do
you know that he is tiresome ii you have
never seen hIm?'
"I know it, for one thing, because
Johns friends always are tiGesome. 1t does
seem as if be deliberately selected the most
stupid men he could find and asked them
down to Greencroit just to make life
burden to me. And then, my dear, for
another thing, tried to read this detect
able Johnston's books. Anything more
stupid and silly you can't possibly imagine
$50 was actually travelling in the same
carriage with Scobles wife and niece, and
the former was dreading my arrival at her
house and looking upon me as tircsome
nuisance
"The two ladies talked on, but happily
seemed to forget the existence of the I'M
fortunate Johnston. Once Mrs. Scohle
came to the window where was sitting, to
point out something to her niece, and the
swaying of the carriage nearly threw her on
my lap,
Gust then the elder lady began one of
those nervous and hurried searches for her
purse which women when travelling are so
prone to make.
'''It is gone y she exclaimed, and am
sure that fellow in the corner picked my
pocket when l was looking out of his
window
:" He could not have done that, replied
the niece, FOR | was looking at him at the
time, and he never once took his bands or
his eyes away from his newspaper
my dear child Do you suppose you
are quick enough to watch the motions of
professional pickpocket? That man has
my purse, am perfectly sure of it and l
shall give him in charge the moment we
get TO Rugby.
sit was clear that must bolt from the
carriage the instant the train reached
Rugby platform, md before a policeman
could he called. The train was already
slowing and hastily gathered up my rug
and umbrella aud prepared to move toward
the door.
"'No, you don't, my man, said Mrs.
Scoble, rising and taking possession of the
door by the simple process of thrusting half
of her ample person through the window.
81 saw as once that the game was up.
THAT man has picked my pocket, said
Mrs. Scoble, as soon as the policeman
opened the door. Search him and you'll
find my purse in his possession. 1t is
marked "A. D. s. and has four ive-pound