The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-03
a WOx11as1,S Love.


One OF the booking-clerks down at the
Waverly Station was one forenoon i'm the
act OF giving change for pound note 90
a gentleman booking for one OF the local
trains. when something peculiar about
the half-soveregn he was paying out
caught his eye. and made him pause to
examine it. II had not the look OF an
ordinary counterfeit gold coin, OF the
kind manufactured with elaborate skill
at prices varying from one-quarter TO
two-thirds of their current value: on the
| contrary, Il had an old and half-worn APP
milling OF the edges. Nor was Il bright
as counterfeit fresh from the manufac-
turers but dull I'm lustre, and apparently
a little dirty and greasy with passing
through grimy hands or pockets.
Thus far the coin would have passed a
hasty scrutiny-and had already passed
that Of the booking g-clerk--but when
dashed down on the counter had no re-
sponsye musical ring 10 give out 1t was
duh and inert as a lump OF lead--but
clumsy cast coated with gold.
Its a bad one" said the clerk In dis
may. pausing 10 think. und!sturbed by the
and iosting at the little window when
did take it?-ony a minute aso--f re-
member-that dirty customer who came
first with a pound. which 4 couldn't
change"
1t was an awkward plight. but there
was not a moment TO lose. With some
difficulty the lad got another 10 take his
place AT the window. and with very little
hope OF success ran along the platform
"A IA 49,.
Eagerly peerlng into every compartment
and into every face he passed. he at last
came upon a ragged looking man seated
In a smoking compartment IN the act OF
lighting stumpy little clay pipe. The
man had a worn and "wauf like look.
and appeared 10 have all his luggage and
personal effects in knotted-red cotton
handkerchief lying on the seat beside
him.
''Hullo. you!" cried the clerk very
sharply "You gave me a half-soyereign
to change didn't you7"
Yes. did. was the astonshed answer.
given without any appearance Of confu-
sion.
That was enough for the clerk. He
sprang into the carriage, snatched up the
little bundle. seized the man by the collar.
and roughly hustled him out of the car
riage, making him break the clay pipe in
out to two or three of the busy officials.
who instantly surrounded and secured
the prisoner beyond the possibility of es-
cape. A policeman was soon got hold OF
and to get away from the crowd which
instantly collected. they hustled the man
into an empty waiting room, when he at
once repeated the question he had been
seeking in vain from the first
What is II all about? what have-.I
done?"
Passing bad money. The half-sover-
eign was bad one" said the booking
clerk
"Are you sure?" cried the accused with
| a startled look, which every one present
thought very ceverly assumed.
quite sure"
'Then I'm done" exclaimed the pris-
oner. who was dressed in the torn and
| dirty overals OF broken-down working
man. I'm done, for have another"
| and there and then he put his hand in his
| pocket pulled out greasy old purse,
| and produced another half-sovereign OF
! the same date and make as that detected
| by the clerk.
ANY more of them about your asked
| the policeman, with knowing grin. as
he took possession OF tie coin. after
| demonstrating It's spuriousness.
mo more; / got them from gentle
man in change for pound just outside
| the rail OF the booking office" said the
man. with wonderfully calm look. II
wonder II I'll ever see him again. l Gamma
( afford 10 lose so much. I'm a puir man
oot o. work, and dear kens when I'll win
| I'm again"
| Every one grinned, aud the policeman
assured him be need not give himself any
! concern on that account, as he would In
all likelihood be provided with work for
some years to come.
/ Then. for thee FIRST time, the prisoner
looked concerned and angry, and vehe-
mcnty protested his innocence. When