Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-30

4 catch that eVaSlve gentleman? ! Hanged if know! If we-can't find him-here's an amendment to the l plan-we must get 8 substitute for 1 him. Money will enable us to do so.'' I There's more sense in that" said Bristow.
 I ''So I think there must be at least one man in town-perhaps two-who for a couple of hundred dollars would
 be willing to acknowledge himself a thief and serve few months in prison 1 if convicted"
 Burglary, especially in the night time, is a pretty serious offense,'' re- ! minded White. "Still, the fellow X never actually broke in anywhere" 'EWe can hire a good, smart lawyer 4 to defend him and perhaps get him off," suggested Snow. "All we want is to prevent inquiry as to our where \ abouts last Tuesday night" ! "A lawyer grumbled White; more money!"
 ! ''Here comes 8 tramp" cried Snow, suddenly; ''the very chap we want. A warm cell ought to be welcome change from the cold barns and colder haystacks that he has probably had to put up with these cold nights. Let's sound him."
 The trio were standing in the pulp lie square. The stranger drew near, 8 ragged, hungry looking fellow. Hello, my man!' hailed Snow; "don't go that way-it leads to the lookup. Come here. How would you like to, earn a couple of hundred dol- lars without working?" The tramp opened his eyes in amaze ment. Snow was forced to repeat his question.
 s'Wot doin'?'' asked the stranger.
 There's been burglar doing no end of mischief in this town of late, and one of our friends is wrongfully suspected. Now, we want you to act as substitute-a sort of voluntary scapegoat--to save the good name of our friend. If you will consent to go to the police station, give yourself up and admit you are the thief, we will make you present of $200. Good pay; what do you say?'
 The gentleman of the road smiled, pondered minute or two and then replied:
 Make it tree hundred, gents; den I'm yer man. might halter go to prison fer a year or two, yer see"
 "No such thing. We don't want to see you punished too severely. We'll hire a, lawyer to defend you. He'll keep you from getting severe sen- tence; that's what we'll pay him for. You may get off scot free.''
 I,a I,IouoIf 1 dred or shut up"
 White, the penurious, nodded assent.
 "All right" said Snow; ...three hun dred it is. Remember, you are the burglar who has been operating in. town for the past two months. You needn't admit that, of course. You are simply the fellow that walked into old Browns henshed last Tuesday night-remember the date!-and took couple of his hens"
 T won't forget it. Now wot about de bribe ?"
 "Well pay you the money just as soon as you confess and are locked up.'
 "An' have de jail blokes take de poodle away from me? Niti"
 "Well, what? Will check post dated de?''
 "Naw I want cash in advance. I'll send de money by mail to a feller I kin trust. Den I'll go an give myself up, an take my medicine. You gents can keep yer eyes on me all de time an if try to fool yer yer can tell de police I confess bein' the thief dey want. Yer word will be taken all right"
 So it came to pass that Luke Var den, after receiving and disposing of the $500 contributed by Snow & Co.,, went to the police station and con- fessed that he was the much-wanted thief. He had entered MT. Browns henhouse on the previous Tuesday night and stolen some of that gentle mans hens.
 Varden's case was sent to higher court; in due time he was put on trial, convicted, and sentenced to the peni- tentiary for eight months More than one person in Benton breathed more freely.
 One day early in the following sum mer, Deacon Snow, who had quite for gotten all about the burglars substi- ute, received a letter which caused him first to swear, then to laugh. He gave the missive to his brother-in-law. White read:
 ''Mr. Thomas Snow and Friends. Gents, desire to thank you again for the $3O0 you kindly gave me eight months ago for acting as a substitute for the Benton bur glar. It may surprise you to hear that was really the burglar you gents wanted to catch. When I met you was on my way to the police station to give myself up as I had got tired of my line of busi- ness and wanted to be sent away for the winter. The 300 plunks will work in handy for my summer vacation. Yours with thanks, LUKE VARDEN.'
 ssSo the $1oo I won at poker in Feffer's roadhouse that Tuesday night went to that scoundrel of tramp" | ejaculated White.
 My net 1oss,' murmured Snow. reminiscently, twas $50 $1oo to the substitute and $50 lost at poker. What will Rristow say? His net loss was $125.''
 Such being the case, it is not very difficult to guess what Bristow saids-- Boston Globe.
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