The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-02-03
81 am not 4 thief.n

81 do not know. Your actions
are very suspicious. lou can ex-
plain matters TO the chief Of police.
There must be reasons why YOU re-
fuse to be searched. If you are
honest, you can have nothing to
conceal"
A hollow laugh rang through the
room. Was it possible the bold in
truder dared to laugh at them? 1t
was the laugh of despair, and as
such it smotc upon the heart Of the
host, who looked troubled and per-
picked. His enforced guest saw the
look, and it suggested line of ac-
tion to him.
"Send these men away" he said,
pointing to the group of alarmed
guests crowding in at the door. He
was glad the women had remained
below stairs and not come to gaze
upon his discontinue. He did not
know that they were locked up in
fear and trembling in q distant par
lor.
"We won't gop chorused the
group. "He may want to murder
you
81 don't think he will" said the
host, who was really soft hearted.
'I'll trust him, and you fellows can
go to the ladies. I'll call if 1 need
help"
They went, rather glad to be out
of it, and the two men, left togeth-
er, eyed each other, one waiting for
the other to speak. They were ex-
actly opposite in appearance, one
rosy and rubicund, the other thin
and anxious, meager travesty on
successful man.
81 refused to let you search me-"
said the professor slowly, because
oh, my God, how can I acknowl-
edge it'll am a thief!''
The other man started and moved
toward the door. Then he waited.
81 have stolen from you-here,
let me show you, and you will know
why I could have died easier than
to have those people gloating over
me. See here-and here-and
here"
He took the valuables out of his
pocket one by one. They made
strange exhibit as he piled them up
on the table in front of him. They
were roll of dinner bread, a pate,
sweetbread rolled in g leaf of let
tuce, a chicken breast, a bit of
toasted bread and a caviare sand
wich. He brought them out to the
last crumb, with the manner of one
who lays his life on the altar Of sac
rifce.
"Great heavens, man, what does
this mean?" asked the astonished
host.
cit means," replied the other SOL
emnly, "that my sick wife and my
little children are starving, and That That
l pilfered from my share of food at
your table to give them, for my rent
is overdue and the money I earned
is already spent
SsBut what did you eat yourself ?"
"More than I have eaten for
many day. But now do with me
what you will"
"Would you mind putting these
things back into your pocket?" in
quired his host vaguely. CHOW come
with me-" He took him by the arm
and led him downstairs and into the
presence Of the shaking guests. Ct
L made bad mistake, my friends"
he said. s"This gentleman has proved
himself perfectly innocent Of any
attempt at crime, and I must beg
you to remain silent as to the events
of this evening. He is under my
protection from this time, and you
viii all agree with me that we are
extremely sorry that such 9 mistake
should have occurred"
OF course they all agreed with
the sentiments of their host, what
ever they were, and Professor
Smythe was allowed to take his
leave amid profuse apologies.-Mrs.
ne. L. Rayne in Detroit Free Press.