Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-02-14


That man has my purse, I am perfect
" sure of 1t; and shall give him in
charge the moment we get to Rugby.
"It was clear that I must bolt from
the carriage the instant the train
reached the Rugby platform. and be-
fore a policeman could be called. The
train was already slowing. and hasti-
IL gathered up my rug and umbrella.
and prepared to move toward the door
"'No. you don't. my mani! said
Mrs. Scoble, rising and taking possess
sion of the door by the simple process
of thrusting half of her ample person
through the window.
81 saw at once that the game was
up.
"'That man has picked my pocket
said Mrs. Scobile, as soon as the
policeman opened the door. Search
him and you'll find my purse in his
possession. It is marked "a. D. S."
and has four five pound notes. two
sovereigns and some change in 1t, be-
sides my ticket
"'What do you say to this? the
policeman asked me, evidently i'm
pressed with the certainty Of my
guilt.
"'Simply that it isn't true replied.
I know nothing of the lady's purse.
and 1 can easily convince you that I
am a respectable person.
"'My goodness! exclaimed my &C.
cuser. why, the fellow isn't deaf and
dumb. That shows what a scoundre]
he isl
81 rose up to follow the policeman,
and my foot struck against some
thing that was lying on the floor of
the carriage. 1 stopped and picked
it up. It was the missing purse.
lis that your purse, madam" I
asked, as I held it up. You must
have dropped it when you were look
ing out of my window
81 wouldn't advise him to play
that game any MORE said the police
man, severely. Let me tell you, sir.
that if you travel under false pre-
fences you needn't be surprised if you
find yourself in trouble. You'll have
to give me your name and address, in
case anything more comes Of this
Il gave him my address as soon as
1 could get away from the carriage,
surreptitious five shillings and asked
him not to give my name to. Mrs.
ScOble.
Il saw ScOble on the platform as
the train drew up at GreencrOft, but
he did not see me, for | had concealed
myself behind the curtains Of the car
riage. l watched him until his back
was turned and then sprang out ana
bolted into the cloak-room, which was
close at hand. / hoped to remain there
y,Yntil Scoble had left the station, but
I was disappointed. The porter in at
tendance, finding that I had no par
ticular business with him, immediately
suspected me of designs upon the
property under his charge and told me
l must not stay in the clOak-room.
tried bribery, but the action only con-
tirmed his suspicious. and he roughly
ordered ne to go about my business
Or he would have me arrested. Just
then Scoble spied me.
"'Why, here you are, after all:' lie
exclaimed. Where on earth have you
been"
TIE niece had returned, and was
standing looking in beWilderment, frs,
at me, and then at her uncle. Sud
denly she took in the full meaning o,
the situation, and, after saying to me,
is this Mr.. Johnston?' burst into un-
comfortable laughter
There never was anything so con-
tagious and irresistible as that laugh
since the world began, and the flash Of
the girls miscellaneous eyes would have
made John Calvin smile even in the
Get of burning a hereto. l could not
help it. but in another moment | found
myself joining in the girls laughter,
while Scoble stood and gazed at Us
with an almost frightened expression
The niece was the first to speak
"'Uncie,' she said. there has been
4 mistake that would have been PEI
fecly awful if Mr.. Johnston had not
been a real humorist and seen the
funny side Of it. Auntie has driven
home for she could not wait any long
er, and we all three will walk home
together, and you shall know all about
it,
Il hesitated second and then said
to myself that l would meet fifty
aunts sooner than say goodbye to the
niece before | had convinced her that
I was not always stupid and that l