The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-15
WRATH OF THE GOOD AROSE
BLANK Hailed FROM CHURCH TO
POLICE STATION FOR THEFT

scant Read the hooks Real Title.
This Is one OF those minor church scandals
that seldom come 10 tho light OF publicity.
The police didn't report H. because II didnt
penetrate far into their system. The church
people didn't divulge IL. because they are try
ing rs hard "a they can to forget all about
II and don I want any one elsc to have n chance
! to remember il. But the victim told II 10 n
reporter. between wrath and mirth. with tho
sole proviso that his name and the name OF
the church should be concealed for the pres
ent. Ee hasn't fully made up his mind not
TO sue the church for large and luxurious dam
ages and II lie should sue he wants TO have
the case fresh.
The victim Is a young lawyer with an office
in one OF the big downtown buildings. His
nnme may be said 10 he Ethan A. Blank. Many
friends are ready to vouch for him as being
of good morals. character and habits. His
literary tastes cover a WIDE range OF classicsin
various languages and. rs he has not too much
spare time on his hands. he II in the habit OF
taking a book along with him on his way TO
and from the ONCE and reading 1t in the ele-
waited train which takes him to his home on
the upper West Side. One evening last week
he dined downtown. having been kept late
at his ONCE. and came up about eight O'Clock
carrying with him a volume Of Ralzac in an
edition not printed for the peruaal OF the very
young. This particular novel. while essen
TALLY a powerful moral work and not TO be
included among the erotic works Of the 'au-
thor, was cursed with n villainous mistransla-
ton Of tho French title. pirated from an old
English artist. Also the cover was Of a dull
brownish red. which in this instance was the
really vital matter, ,
Carving the hook in one tand and his light
! o~vercoat over the other arm Mr.. Blank de-
! scended 10 the street at his station and started
! across 10 his home when, in passing n church.
! he CHANGED to notice an announcement placard
Of n meeting that nixht. the meeting beine
| then in progress as he knew from the sound
| Of singing within. A man who had been n
classnate of his in college several years be-
fore was advertised to speak.
Guess III drop In and hear Tom talk a lit
tie" said the lawyer, Il don't 60 to church
any too often to hurt me. anyway"
Small rs was his Hhur'h eXperien Ne. how
EVER, he realized that it would not be seemlv
to display in sh n a pla We n >opy Of an author
who Is regarded with feelings ranging from
doubt To open horror by many esumable
-hur ~'h-going perspns, and who has even been
! denoun ed from the pulpit Mt times. so he
| quietly slipped the volume under his over"oat
| entered the "hurrh and was cs 'ortsd to a seat
of The middle aisle In a pew viii h was already
partly o "upied By n spare young man with
sidewhiskers. Putting down his over"oat
between him self and the young man Mr.. Blank
turned his attention to his former "lassmate
who was talking. The over GA slowly I'M
folded and exposed the volume to view. The
young man with sidewhiskcrs looked at the
volume and started. II was not the title that
aroused his interest, for the bark was turned
away from him. II was the "olor OF the bind
ing and the general appoarap e Of the book.
He CLAN ed from 1t to the hymn book in the
ra * and then back at the volume in the over
coat again. The lawyer saw him doing it. but
did not himself noti"e that the hymn book and
the novel were almost identi>al as regards 'olor
and shape. Quietly the owner Of the side
whiskers arose and sifted out into the aisle
where he 'aptursd an usher and held him in
the ,hur-h had long been missing hymn books.
and here was undoubtedly the thief. sine
he had one Of them on called In his over"ost
called a deacon and the deacon Nalled another
deacon apd they all adjourned 10 the rear Of
The church and held solemn convention there.
| away with him." decided the convention. and
then well turn him over to the poll"e."
In the curse Of time the ssrvi"e ended but
| The usher. and the two deanons kept lose
watch on the visitor who felt It through the
Iack q hi- neck and several times turned
seair@ S' u%n Se which was resarded a. evl-
dsn"s ss Of Ssil aos1 =. a R Ras DECIDED 81 fa tha MI The Bl mss
Of the book and had told on him, and that there
was in preparation a "~hur"hly lecture; II II
lecture with certain reflections upon the Chris
tan habit Of minding ones own business. As
soon as the benedi"tion nad been said be arose ,p;i
time, for he didn't propose 10 seem 10 skulk.
What is that book you have there" asked
YES, sir; what are you doing with that
bookY"' demanded Deacon No, |,
~RRsto s;ID Os5 very ;ns sse' bi sis Syer coded N No, 2 h.
sidswhisEers in a f%aiset'o shrek of horror
- -Hs adm SssY It, .TS efled ps sSs oe m" asSSsT IN chorus,
and the usher rushed to the door and made
4 policeman in waiting strobe in and made
Good heavens" said that gentleman, an
Nrly: DO you mean to say that you are going
70 have me aTres as h. on Il any m,rs such Hliv ridiculous ,SH u
hadn't dawned on him at oil. BECAUSE he hadn't
noticed he hymn books and bow like they
"JIi make i mighty hot ior scppebody
Come along. now" said the policeman.
What's the charge against me7" demanded
the lawyer.
Charge against You" cackled the side.
our hymn book under your arm now"
You're a cool hand" said Deacon No. l..
Il suppose he's been stealing our books
for months past =" suggested Deacon No. !.
He's a smooth one" said the policeman.
Look how slick he's got up"
BY this time they were outside followed by
a curious crowd and the angry lawyer had time
to collect his thoughts.
This il a mistake" he said. You're all
on tho wrong -
That's what they all say" observed the
usher. a. one who had large experience In GRIM
inal matters.
But ! want to explain, cried the prisoner.
Don't want any explanations" chorused the
Why. dammit, II you'd listen to sense"
'"Oh, what's the use" cut In the policeman.
Cork up TIL you get to the station house"
Bad Language. too cackled the bewhis-
kered one. "He must be a confirmed criminal. ="
usher, Perhaps It's k%leptomania."
It's monia Of some sort, ! think" said tho
captive grimly and tried ogain. IT can make
this clear in two minutes II you'll"
NO Use of trying 10 crawl out Of i now.
young man." said Deacon No, ? You'd better
pray and repent while there's yet time"
see the thing through II fcry CULTS rawned
before. him thev should not stop him short Of
the police station. Then the thought Of what
was going to happen there took hold on his
mind and he threw back his head and laughed
jovouslr. The two deacons. the usher and the
young man with the sidcwhiskers shrank in