Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-01-05
~ Of the Fountain and toe oppoYtusi.
" of escape was better there.


y Of escape was better there.
Shorty held out his hand, and the
boy took it confidingly. He was very
young and had never been imposed
upon before.
Shorty knew that there was great
risk Of being seen from the house, but
should any one appear he had decided
to take the case from the boy and
make a run for 1t.
He was all professional now. Once
on the other side of the square and he
would be safe.
I'VE must be sure not to let the
fishes get it." said the boy, "'cause my
mother thinks lot Of it,
"I'H see that the fishes don't get it
all right" replied Shorty.
you see," the boy went on, my
father gave 1t to her just before he
went away. My mother says we won't
never see him again. 1t makes her
cry to talk about him, an she says l
must be a good man like he was an
take care of her now"
Shorty began to feel uncomfortable.
He was sorry the boy had told him
this. Somehow 1t seemed almost like
robbing the dead. Yet it was so easy,
and he was in need of the money.
Shorty did not know 1t, but he was af-
hicted with vivid Imagination. He
saw the mothers grief at losing the
last gift OF her dead husband. He saw
her apprehension when she discovered
that her son had taken the jewels
even in play. He also saw the boys
terror when the case was taken from
him.
And yet it was so easy and the OPP
portunity had come without his seek
ing. There was no one near them.
He stopped suddenly and grasped
the boy by the shoulder.
The child's eyes opened wide in af-
fright, for he saw that he was in dan
ger of something. The man looked
very cross and different now.
Don't you open your mouth or I'll
kill you!" said Shorty savagely. Now
listen to me-
You're a thief an I'm liar an a
thief, The goldfish don't know or care
anything about diamonds. l told you
that to get you over here so l could
get that thing away from you. know
all about diamonds, an care lot
for 'cm too"
The boy, too frightened to stir or cry
out, trembled in the clutch of the man.
You've been playin a bad game
Shorty went on, IAN you've met a real
burglar, one who really steals things
| l,oI 60
listen to what | tell you, an don't you
ever forget it.
"You go straight home an put that
thing where you found 1t an never
you understand me-never play that
kind of a game again. You needn't
tell your mother, because she's got
troubles of her own, an it would only
make her feel worse IL she knew you
took it. Do you understand, GU will
you promise?'
The boy gulped and nodded his head
quickly. All he wanted was to get
home; but, young as he was, he realiz-
ed that he had done something very
wicked
Shorty smiled at the forlorn, fright
ened little figure. Then his face grew
red. and, bending over, he hurriedly
kissed the boys curly head.
Cit" he commanded, IAN don't you
stop runnin' till you're inside that
door"
The boy brushed the tears from his
face and started.
Hang them kidsv' said Shorty,
That's the second time they done me
out of good thing, but I'll bet that
one don't play burglar any more"
With a pleasant, respectable feeling
under his coat he watched the boy
mount the steps of the brownstone
house. Then he turned away and re-
sumed his walk uptown.