The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-22

mitted, and that. therefore, am illegally
been I s vaty g Holmes ssr0r 9 aas
would have done better to have trusted
TT was not the wife, it was the chill
dren," groaned the prisoner "God help
me, would not have them ashamed Of
their father. MY, God What an expos
ure What can do?''
Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him
on the couch and patted him kindly on
the shoulder.
you can hardly avoid publicity. On the
other hand, If you convince the police au-
thorities that there is no possible case
against you. do not know that there is
their way into the papers. Inspector
Bradstreet would, am sure, make notes
upon ANYTHING which you might tell US.
The case would then never go into court
at a e. ,,... ,o,,r. or,o, t,a nr,.on.r
Imprisonment. aye. even execution, rather
than have left my miserable secret as a
family blot to my children"
you are the first who have ever heard
my story. My father was school-master
in Chesterfield, where I received an ex-
cellent education. I travelled in my
youth, took to the stage. and finally be-
London. one day my editor wished to
| have a series Of articles upon begging
in the metropolis, and I volunteered to
supply them. There was the point from
which all my adventures started. 1t was
only by trying begging as an amateur
| that I could get the facts upon which to
base my articles. When an actor had.
ing up, and had been famous in the
| greenroom for my skill. took advan-
| tage now Of my attainments. painted
| my face, and to make myself as pitiable
a
one side Of my lip. in g. twist by the aid
of small slip Of fesh-colored plaster
Then with a red head OF hair and an APP
busiest part Of the city. ostensibly as a
match-seller, but really as beggar. For
seven hours I piled my trade, and when
returned home in the evening found,
to my surprise. that had received no
less than 26s 4d.
| IT wrote my articles, and thought Mt
tie more Of the matter until. some time
had a writ served upon me for s25. I
was at my wits end where to get the
money. but sudden idea came to me.
I begged a fortnight's, grace from the
employers, and spent the time in begging
in the city under my disguise. In ten
days I had the money and had paid the
well, you can imagine how hard It
was to settle down to arduous work at
| a2 a week. when knew that i! could
earn as much in day by smearing my
face with little. paint, laying my cap
on the ground and sitting still. 1t was
long fight between my pride and the
money, but the dollars won at last, and
day in the Corner which 1 had first
chosen, inspiring pity by my CHASTITY face
and filling my pockets with coppers. Only
one man knew my secret. He was the
lodge in Swandam Lane where could
every morning emerge as a squalid beg
gar, and in the evenings transform my
self into well-dressed man about town.
This fellow, a Lascar, was well paid by
me for his rooms, so that knew that
my secret was safe in his possession.
We'll, very soon I found that 1 was
saving considerable sums Of money
do not mean that any beggar in the
streets of London could earn 6 700 a year
(which is less than my average taklngs-
but had exceptional advantages in my
power Of making up. and also in facility
of repartee, which improved by practice,
fand made me quite a recognized character
in the city. All day a, stream of pennies,
varied by silver, poured In upon me, and
1t was very bad day in which failed to
take &2.
GAS I grew richer grew more ambi-
tious, took house in the country, and
eventually married, without any one hav-
! ing suspicion as to my real occupation.
My dear wife knew that had business in
the city. She little knew what
Last Monday I had finished for the
day, and was dressing in my room above
the opium den, when I looked out Of my
window. and saw, to my horror and aston
ishment, that my wife was standing in
| the street. with her eyes fixed full upon
me. I gave a cry Of surprise. threw up
my arms to cover my face, and. rushing
/ to my confdant, the Lascar, entreated
3 to me- I heard her voice downstairs but
r knew that she could not ascend Swift
ly threw off my clothes, pulled on those
Of a beggar. and put on my pigments, and
so complete a disguise. But then 1T oc-
}. CURED to me that there might be search
r in the room, and that the clothes might
betray me. threw open the window re-
j had inflicted upon myself in the bedroom
}. that morning. Then I seized my coat
. which was Weighted by the eoppsrs which
n leather bag in which I carried my takings
I hurled it out of the window, and it dis
appeared into the Thames. #; The o the
9 moment there was a rush OF constable:
up the stair, and a few minutes after
q found, rather, confess. to my rehef. thai
instead of being identified as Mr.. Neville
& ST. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer
!, IT do not know that there is anything
else for me to explain. I was determined
!, to preserve. my disguise as long as pos.
It dirty face knowing that my wife woult
: be terribly anxious, I slipped off m!
9 ring, and confided 1t to the Lascar a
" a moment Wnen no cOuSCaDle was WdtCu
d Ing me, together with a hurried scrawl
IS telling her that she had no cause to fear
n "That note only reached her yester
}, day." said Holmes:
:: GOOD God! What week she mus
i. "The police have watched this Lascar.
l. said Inspector Bradstreet, and cal
quite understand that he might find It diff
d ficult to post a letter unobserved Prob
t, ably he handed 1t to some sailor custome
e Of HIS who forgot all about it for som
l. days"
o 'That was it," said Holmes. nodding ap
h provingly; # have no doubt Of it. Blu
:, have you never been prosecuted for beg
Many times; but what was a fine I
'e 1T must stop here, however, sal
p Bradstreet. 1T the police are to hus
:, this thing up, there must be no more
le Hugh Boone"
to Il have sworn It by the most solem
le oaths which man can take.
Ill 'In that case I think that 1t Is probabl
er that no further steps may be taken. Blu
ce IL you are found again, then all mus
IS come out. I am sure, Mr.. Holmes, tina
Is we are very much indebted to you fc
r having cleared the matter up wish
- knew how you reach your results.
d. "by sitting upon Ave pillows and consum
ne ing an ounce Of shag. I think, Watson
that II we drive to Baker street we sha
a Just be in time for breakfast.
e. REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
ri New York Press.
Up Concerts are nice thing to keep ma
TO from having a good time.