Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-12-19

~ I'D - men homes 40 esll1
puy kim IN jan fo7 all De feet = ~
lif& Just thtnk, !" ontsmptuoustJ ~
body but tool You'd ever nv hing
kke that But then. tie fslleW amt
over and above sensble. - anybody
can see"
Perhaps Jon have made = mistake. >
Suggestsd 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
cot the one. He has not Acknowledged
II has her
mot he. sir; be amt opened his
mouth yet But know. He escaped
the very nrst night aftsr stealing the
watch, and slipped up north some
where. We've heard Of his sending q
few dollars home now and again. in q
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 II you'd Hike
to feel sure, you can come along with
me. You know. Mr.. Browns way; II
he says it's him. It's him: and II he says
1t amt why then I've been mistaken.
that's ALL I'm not putting my memory
up against Mr.. Brown's-and then, II
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 irresisdbly 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 60 right up to him
and ask for a job" whispered the por-
ter hurriedly; Mr.. Hecker and 1 will
look the other way and pretend we've
got business Of our own. Now do just
what 1 say"
Obedienuy the prisoner shufled for
ward.
Have We got any work for me. sirT'
he mumbled.
u
changed.
We'll, no, 1 don't think we have any
thing Just now." he answered pleas
antly; "but let me see, though. can you
chop wood?"
Slowly the wavering eyes were lift
ed to his face; but the man seemed
dazed.
IL -hot oil diA ~
he answered mechanically; II have
done lived then he stopped sud-
denly.
well" refectively, I'VE could use
about fifty cords Of pine and oak wood
for our winter fireplaces. II you're
willing to do the work We'll 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.
IT don't think you were cut out for
detective, Thomas" was all he said.
The porter stared and changed color.
L
,ated wonderingly; "or-or Mr.. Browns
falling Off some Oh, II beg your
pardon, sir; l. 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
igure, 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.
II 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
your falling off.'"-Frank II. Sweet.