Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-12-11

ly.
whats up?'' he asked.
''Its a thief I've catched, SIR" the
man explained; ''he was stealing a ride
on the south-bound train, and the con-
ductor put him off. l knew the fellow
| soon's l set eyes on him. Stand up,
| your" to the prisoner, tsdon't go to fall
ing down now. Wait till you get into
Jail for that. You see, sir, he came here
twelve years ago and said he lived ten
| or fifteen miles back in the woods
| somewhere, and that his children were
starving and he must have work.
| felt sorry for him, and went to Mr..
Brown, who got job for him as as
sistant porter. And, sir, would you be-
heve it," shaking the prisoner violently
and becoming red in the face as he did
so, 1.-The villain worked just three hours,
and then stole Mr.. Browns watch. He
said his wife was sick and needed
medicine, and that his children were
starving; but they always say that.
Why, sir, he was so obstinate that he
wouldn't even give up the watch at
first; he said if they'd only let him sell
it and send the money home, they could
put him in Jail for all the rest of his
life. Just think" contemptuously, mo
body but fool would ever say thing
like that. But then, the fellow amt
over and above sensible, as anybody
can see."
perhaps you have made mistake, "
suggested Mr.. Hecker, mildly. He was
looking at the pitiful, shrinking figure
before him, and not at the porter. "You
know people often do. 1t was twelve
years ago, you say, and the man only
worked few hours. Perhaps this is
not the one. He has not acknowledged
| it, has hep
Not he, sir; he amt opened his
mouth yet But 1 know. He escaped
the very first night after stealing the
watch, and slipped up north some
where. We've heard of his sending a
| few dollars home now and again, in a
roundabout way. suppose he wanted
to see his folks, and tried this way to
get to them. Maybe he didn't have any
money. No, sir, there amt any man.
ner of doubt it's him. But if you'd like
to feel sure, you can come along with
me. You know, Mr.. Browns way; if
he says it's him, it's him; and if he says
it amt, why then I've been mistaken,
that's all. I'm not putting my memory
up against Mr.. Brown's-and then, it
was Mr.. Browns watch
Mr.. Hecker looked at them and hesi-
tated. He disliked to be mixed up in
anything of this sort. But there was
something irresistibly pitiful and ap-
| pealing about the prisoner, and he was
interested in the room-clerk's memory;
SO he turned and accompanied them.
Mr.. Brown was behind his desk, but
looked up as they entered.
Now you just go right up to him
and ask for job," whispered the por-
ter hurriedly; "Mr. Hecker and I will
look the other way and pretend we've
| got business of our own. Now do just
what say!"
Obediently the prisoner shuffled for
ward.
"Have We got any work for me, sirY'
he mumbled.
Not a muscle of Mr.. Browns face
changed.
"Well, no, don't think we have any
thing just now" he answered pleas
antly; "but let me see, though, can you
chop wood?"
Slowly the wayering eyes were lift
ed to his face; but the man seemed
dazed.
Eyes, sir; hits what I've alters did,
he answered mechanically; 81 have
done lived" then he stopped sud-
denly.
"Well," refectivefy, "we could use
about fifty cords of pine and oak wood
| for our winter fireplaces. If you're
willing to do the work we'n pay you
market wages"
| "But look here, Mr.. Brown! ex-
| ploded the porter excitedly, ."don't you
know that man? He's the fellow who
stole your watch twelve years ago"
The room-clerk's eyebrows rose a
trifie.
.'I don't think you were cut out for a
detective, Thomas" was all he said.
The porter stared and changed color
s.Then it amt him after ALL he ejacu-
lated wonderingly; "or-or Mr.. Browns
/ ldllllx Oh SOluO. ou, - DtS your
pardon, sir; Il and overwhelmed by
his confusion and chagrin the porter
turned and rushed away.
Mr.. Hecker rubbed his hands under
standingly, for the room-clerk had STEP
ped from behind his desk and whis-
pered a few words to the shrinking
figure, at the same time slipping some
thing into his hand. Then he said aloud:
''There, now you run down home for
few weeks and see your folks. When
you are ready to begin on the wood, let
me know"
AS the man shuffled out, Mr.. Hecker
went forward to the desk.
ST would like to shake hands with
you, Mr.. Brown" he said quietly; "and
at the same time express my opinion
that the porter was mistaken about
I your falling off Frank Fl. Sweet.
AS She Is Spoke in China.
The Chinese, if they have mastered