The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-29
THE EVENING STOR 7
Pocketbooks and Penitcnec.
(By Mary Bowman9

!
Then I shall search these people |
myself" snapped the old lady. Not
ten minutes ago I paid my fare out of
that purse and no one has left the car
since. It must be here, L tell you.
insist that you find it.
The policeman looked about the car
hopeIessly. Douglas spoke up.
Il think" ne said quietly, that the
quickest way to get rid of this nom
| sense will be for the rest of US 10 per-
NIT ourselves TO be searcned; am
sure none of US win object. There IS
merely a mistake somewhere. Here
officer, do your duty.
He stepped forward and with rapid
movements the policeman empued nus
pockets. The other four men IN the
/ car followed his example. Then an
] expectant hush fell over the passeh-
gers. There remained only the hve
women who. with the eXclted col COIL
plainant, comprised the passengers.
| One of them stepped forward.
I'll let any woman in the croWo
search me- she said. The woman
who had lost her purse pounced upon
her and with eager fingers paved
over her gown, emptied her purse
upon the seat and 5umbled the thlhgS
! out of her hand satchel.
! Next, she called, as she left her
victim to replace her belongings as
| best she might.
Three other women came forward in
| turn, submitting with no good grace 70
! the examination but the last one sat
Il do not propose to be searched
she said quietly. "You have no right
to do so and it is absurd to suppose
that 1 could have taken your purse
/ have sat in this corner ever since
entered the car and I have not been
near you. refuse to permit you 70
touch me"
ant triumphantly. ''I knew 1t would
not be difficult to locate the guilty
one
At never saw your purse cried the 1s
steal purses. Officer, here is my caro-.
You must know my father by reputa-
ton"
II can't help 1t, num- said the ofa-
/ Ger. "All the others have been search
ed and if you refuse to submit
He stopped short; the girl had ourst
Look here cried Douglas. "Stop
this thing I took the purse"
The others turned with one accord
! toward him. 81 took it he repeated
defantly. "Ofcer, do your duty.
The policeman laid his hand upon
his arm but the owner of the purse
burst out in protest
"CSive me back my purse" she cried.
ct will not let you take him away until
ssF4ave to keep it to use as evidence"
was the short explanation. Come
around to the Fifty ninth street staloh
to make complaint. can't wait mere
any longer Come on" He renewed
his hold upon Douglas, but his way
was blocked by the woman
"At least I insist that you count the
money in my presence. she oeihahU-
ed siI have that right
"AIl right" said the policeman IN
tired voice. "Give it up young Iei-
~ Il haven't got it, stammered Doug
las to whom this was a very unexpecI-
la II.
'eWhere did you drop it?'' asked the
officer. Elm your pocket
"Where the window drops ooMn,
explained Douglas more gloiy. tG GU
can find it when the car gets to the
saw ~ want it now" persisted the VIC
tim. IT insist that it be given me at
0-i One of the men leaned over the
Iedpe at the back of the seat. There
was a space of about two inches pc
tween the window sill and the PACK OF
the seat, where the sash was droppeu
in pleasant weather.
ss4This is where you were sitting" ne
called, 'fbut I'm hanged II can see
The victim made a rush for the win
dow and began to poke energeucally
INTO the SPACE with her umbrella, but
without result. The policeman surrey =,
luneasiIy. ct can't hold up this car a. an
dav.', he announced. You go on 10 me
!
iiO .sTbat,s what echoed the inspector,
who had come up. Ihere ny CT q
lied I'M behind Keep 'em moving.
The policeman turned to go, put
lust then one of the women passelise ls
sprang toward the woman VINO Mas
lrneeIine upon the seat busy with nef
= / fsTinc ssrThere'S your purse now, She
c1iad as she pulled aside the skirts OF
! the long cloak the victim was WeaIiils-
: eft slipped down inside and the chalh
caught on the braid. 1t must nave
, been there all the time :.
ssThen why did this man cause ne
all of this excitement?" demanded the
victim, turning in her majesty 70 Gun
front Douglas -
: noIiceran took a firmer hold upon his
: cIub. s'I thought it might, stop all TINS
fooIine'' confessed Douglas. And you
see. I'm a story writer, and wanted
| to see how it felt to be arrested.
ssT've a good mind to let you see how
If feels to be pinched for disorderly
: conduct" began the policeman, pu :
there was a quick, unseen transfer OF
> something from Douglas pocket 70 the
oficer's palm and the threat died away
in a benign, Let this be a lesson 70
! YOU" as the officer climbed OH the car
There were many curious giances
directed toward Douglas, but he met
2 them calmly. and stared politely but
placidly at the girl in the far corner.
He rose when she did and left the
/ car at the far crossing, but ne fingered
at a drug store window, and II was
not until the girl was half way down
2 +ha block that he caught up with her.
s'Bessie." he cried, won't you speak
to me9 I only got in last night, and
was on my way up here when you got
on the car. Is there still no nope Ior
: me?"
"Do you think you deserve forgive
ness" she asked, when you make your
self so conspicuous on the carp
ftTf for Vo11T sake he said. SQII-
1.-The idea of telling people" she went
on. ignoring his last remark. chat you
were an author looking for expert
ences!"
} Il had to have some sort of excuse, .
he aafanasd ..and that was the best Z