Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-09-12

A.
tainly his appearance was nos ealcu-
ated to quiet suspicion, and before h
had passed the street policemaa
touched him on his shoulder.
Excuse me, sir" he said, but I
shall have to look into that basket.
Look into my basket" exclaimed
Pierre in well feigned astonishmenA
And for why?" he added, holdins the
lid down more firmly.
Our orders, SIR
But my cat is in the basket and she
will get away"
Il must see for myself" replied the
officer, Il can't take your word for any
thing like that"
At tbs the Frenchman's eyes became
angry. His eyes smouldered like ed
hot Goals.
Il tell you, healmost screamed, its
only cat, and she will run away from
me, and brought her all the way from
la belle France for my mother-in-law."
Il can't help it if you brought her
all the way from the moon. I've got
| W see what III tuAJ basket
But tell you it's cat, and il open
the basket ever so little she will run,
and monsieur knows mother-inrlaws.
Not so?" he asked with wry face.
! Come! Unite those cords. I'm
bound to inspect that basket"
With rueful countenance Pierre
carefully united the strings. The officer
reached out his hand TO lift the lid.
Careful, careful" exclaimed Pierre
placing restraining hand on the
policemans sleeve. II don't want to
chase after my cat again. A bon dieu
knows | had trouble enough in getting
her as il is" an then he adroitly let
the lid fall away.
Instantly a black cat sprung out,
and darling between the policemans
legs, disappeared. Pierre had placed
the basket on the ground in such a way
that when the animal sprang out the
nearest way of escape would be the
shipyard, His calculations were cor
rect, and when the officer of the Law
turned, all he saw was a black tail dis
appearing through the door in the wall
enclosing the yard
The Frenchman's entire vocabulary
was then turned loose, and before he
had stopped his cursing in French and
English the policeman aim st wished
he was as far away as the cat He
honestly felt sorry he had been so In
sistent. The Frenchman's distress
was very great. He went so far in his
remorse as to offer to return with
Pierre and help him find his cat again
At this, however, the clever little
fellow Gained down.
Bon dieu!" he exclaimed, here am
| blaming you because you did your
duty! If my men did theirs half as
well I'd have the finest ship In the SER
vice. You're pardon, monsieur, offer
ing his hand with winning smile,
and raising his peaked hat IL admire
you now so much as | blamed you be-
fore. l will find my cat, again, mon
sieur and then you must join me in a
toast to Americas gendarmes," and
placing the lid again on the basket,
which had fallen over on the ground,
he picked it up and walked quickly
back to the ship.
In half an hour he returned with a
smile on his face.
1--WE got her." he said to the police
man, tapping the basket gently, land
a pretty hunt / had tool I'll warrant
she won't get out again if know IT,"
I'm very sorry, sir, put you to all
that trouble" said the officer, cycling
the basket. We'll, I'll take your word
this time"
That's right, that's right" replied
Pierre. TITS never too late to right 9.
wrong. Now for the toast do not
forget, eh?' he added, leading the way
to nearby saloon.
For some time the two men stood al
the bar with the basket at their feet
The Frenchman's ready sallies and
stirring anecdotes Of the sea kept the
crowd around them roaring. Then
when he thought he had remained long
enough to avert any suspicion that
might linger in the officers mind he
took his basket in his arm, and accom-
panied to the corner by the biue.eoated
officer of the law, hailed passing
and was soon out of sight. In the
meanwhile the black cat frisked in the
ships hold, for in the basket a fortune
in diamonds was buried beneath some
superfine tobacco.
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| Maxim Irop Mith Ct.z4.i.t.