Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-03-02
JOHNSTON'S CASE

JVIlNOlON y GAOE
know this story Is true, for John.
ston told It to me himself and he has
not Imagination enough to invent an
untruth.
He told me that II you should at
tempt to enter into conversation with
a fellow passenger In n Chicago train
he probably would present you with
the card In question as a delicate hint
that he wanted to be left in peace.
" 4 am going down to Warwick
shire tomorrow said"-continued
johnston" to spend few days with
Scoble, and I'll take this card with
me. II some one insists on talking to
me when I'm reading my paper I'll try
what handing him the card will do
81 took the train at Euston, travel
ing second class. .a.r.a'. fa
MY passenger was fine
looking woman of about 80. The heat
of the day and the excitement Of
catching the train had given her a
fiorid color, and | could see that the
desire of condemning the weather and
exposing the wickedness of cabman
was strong within her.
Presently the woman caught my
eye and said: I begsyour pardon but
will you tell me the exact time? My
cabman-
But here handed the woman the
Chicago card I had received the day
before.
"She read It and then said %, In
deed So sorry. Pray excuse me,
aud then lapsed In silence. while re-
sumed my newspaper and congratu-
lated myself on the efficacy OF the
American plan OF dealing with railway
bores. ...... .t
at is true that my conscience did
give an occasional twinge. for the dis
tinction between telling lie and
handing person ready-made lie
printed on a card was not very per-
ceptible. asked myself whether In
| giving the woman card with the
words, 4 am deaf and dumb had not
been guilty of lying as certainly as
should have been II had told her the
same thing in 80 many words.
AT Willesden Junction another
| passenger got in. This time II was a
young lady who was evidently expect
ed by the elder lady.
by and by my attention was arous-
ed In spite OF myself by hearing the
| elder lady mention my name. you
ill?' she soon said, I had TO come
to-day because John has asked that
tiresome Johnston to spend week
with us and OF course 1t wouldn't do
for me to be away.
but, auntie,' said the other, how
| do you know that he Is tiresome II you
| have never seen him?'
"I know II, for one thing, because
| Johns friends always are tiresome. IL
does seem az II he deliberately chose
the most stupid men he could find and
asked them down to Greencroft, Just
to make life burden to me. And
then, my dear, for another thing,
! tried to read this deteatable John
ston's books. Anything more stupid
and silly you can't possibly imagine
so ! was actually travelling In the
same carriage with Scoble's wife and
| niece, and the former was dreadlng
| my arrival at her house and looking
upon me as tiresome nuisance.
THE two ladies' talked on. but
happily seemed to forget the exist
ence OF the unfortunate Johnston.
Once Mrs. Scobe came TO the window
where | was sitting. to point out some
thing to her niece. and the swaylng Of
the carriage nearly threw her on my
lap.
Just then the elder lady began one
Of those nervous and hurried searches
for her purse which women when
travelling are 30 prone to make.
at is gone! she exclaimed; and
am sure that fellow in the corner
picked my pocket when | was looking
out OF his window
"He could not have done that, re-
piled the niece, for was looking at
him at the time, and he never once
took his hands or his eyes away from
his newspaper
my dear child! DO you suppose
you are quick enough to watch the
motions of a professional Dickpocketg
That man has my purse. am perfect
ly sure of 1t and | shall give him In
charge the moment we get TO Rugby.
ut was clear that | must bolt from
the carriage the instant the train
reached the Rugby platform. and
before policeman could be called
The train was already slowing, and
hastily gathered up my rug and
umbrella. and prepared 10 move to
ward the door.
"'No, you don't, my mani said Mrs
Scoble, rising and taking possession
of the door by the simple process OF
thrustIng half Of her ample person
through the window
Il saw at once that the game was
up. l. wv |..|..J l
"'That man has picked my pocket,
said Mrs. Scoble. az soon as the
policeman opened tho door, Search
him and youll find my purse in his
possession. II Ii marked A. d. 8.
and has four hve-Dound notes,two 30
vereigns. and some change In II, be
sides my ticket
What do you say TO thisT tn,
policeman asked me, evidently I'm
pressed with the certainty of my guilt
Simply that II isn't true | re
, piled. I know nothing Of the lady
purse, and I can easely convince yol
that | am a respectable person
"'My goodnessl' exclaimed my &C
cuser Why, the fellow isn't dea
and dumb That shows what
/. scoundrel he Isl
u rose up TO follow the policeman
and my foot struck against somethin
that was lying on the floor OF the ca
rage stopped and picked II up.
vas the missing purse.
J. Us that your purse. madam
sked. as held II up. You must hay
ID irODped II when you were looking OF
10 VI my window
I wouldn't advise him to play thi
4 game any more said the policeman