The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-11-21

Quie4 suspicion. ana before hs had
passed the street policeman touched
him ON the shoulder.
EXCUSE me sir" he said, but
shall have to look into that basket"
Look into my basket| exclaimed
piorre In well feigned establishment.
sand for whyT he added, holding the
lid down more firmly.
"Our orders sir"
but my cat is in the basket, and she
Will get away"
II must see for myself" replied the
officer. 81 can't take your word for
anything like that"
At this the Frenchman became an
cry. His eyes smoldered like redhot
Goals.
al tell you" he almost screamed. 'It's
only cat. and she will run away from
me. and brought her all the way
from la belle France for my mother
in.law."
II can't help IT If you brought her all
the way from the moon. I've got to see
what's In TINT basket
But, l tell you. it's cat and If
open the basket ever so little she will
run. and monsieur knows mothers-in-
law. Not so? he asked, with wry
face.
Come! Unite those cords. I'm bound
to inspect that basket"
! With rueful countenance Pierre
J carefully united the strings. The oth-
Ger reached out his hand to lift the lid.
Careful, carefuI! exclaimed Pierre,
placing a restraining hand on the po-
lcemaus sleeve. II don't want to
chase after my cat again. lie bon DIeu
knows had trouble enough In getting
her as 1t is" And then he suddenly
let the lid fall away.
| Instantly black cat sprang out and,
/ darting between the policeman's 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
shlpyard. 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
inclosing the yard.
The Frenchmans entire vocabulary
was then turned loose and before he
had stopped his curslng in French and
English the policeman almost wished
he were as far away as the cat. He
honestly felt sorry that no had been so
insiStent. The Frenchman's distress
was so very great. He went so far IN
his remorSc as to offer to return with
Pierre and help him find his cat again
At this, however, the clever little
fellow Gained down.
Bon Dieuw he exclaimed. Here am
| blaming you because you did your
duty. II my men did theirs half as well.
I'd have the finest ship in the service.
Your pardon, monsieur" Offering his
hand with winning smile and raising
his peaked cap ~ admire you so
much now as blamed you before.
will find my cut again, monsieur, and
then you must join me in toast to
Americans gcndarmes." And placing
the lii again on the basket, which had
fallen over to the ground, he picked 1t
up and walked quickly back to the
ship.
In half nm hour he returned with
smile on his fuce.
"I'vc got her. he said to the police
man, tapping the basket gently, and i
pretty hunt had too! I'll warrant
she won't get out again II know it"
I'm very sorry. sir, put you to all
that trouble" said the officer eying
the basket "Well, I'll take your word
this time"
That's right that's right" replied
Pierre. "It'e never too late to right n
wrong. Now for the toast. do not
forget-eh?" he added, leading the way
to nearby saloon.
For some time the two men stood Mt
the bar with the basket at their feet.
The t'renchman'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 lingcr in the ol1icer's mind. he
took the basket on his arm and, ac-
companied to the corner by the blue
coated officer Of the law. hailed pass
Ing cur and was soon ont OF sight In
the meanwhile the black cat frisked
In the ships hold. for in the basket a
fortune In diamonds was buried be-
meath some supernue tobacco.
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