Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-04-06
POcketbOOkS and
PenitenCe
BY MARY BOWMAN


AuEil I nuuAl rthAAM hANNN ENNiAN MY
self" snapped the old lady. Not ten
minutes ago ! paid my fare ont Of that
purse ana no one has left the car since.
1t must be here, / tell you. l insist that
you find H."
The policeman looked about the a
hopelessly. Douglas spoke up.
Il think" he said quietly, that the
quickest way to get rid OF this non
sense will be for the rest OF us to per
nit ourselves TO be searched. am sure
none Of MS viii object. There is merely
a mistake somewhere. Here, officer. do
your duty"
lie stepped forward and with rapid
movements the policeman emptlcd his
pockets. The other four mon Ia the car
followed his example. Then an expect
mt hush fell ovcr the passengers.
There remained only the FIVE women,
who. with the excited complainant,
comprised tle passengers. -Four OF
them stepped forward.
'Tll let any I'm the crowd
search me-" she said. The woman who
had lost her purse pounced upon her
8AAA MAAA tNkAA hAENAo NAM ~ UNtA hNI
gown. emptled her purse upon the seat
and 1umbled the things ont Of her hand
satchel.
"Nextg' she called as she left her vic
Gin to replace her belongings as best
she might.
Three other women came forward I'm
turn. submitting with no good grace to
a1a Uxu yeft.aff,r. It.N NIn IunN -,. 80
quietly In her seat.
Il 10 not propose to be searched"
she said quietly. you have no right
90 do so. and it Is absurd to uppose
that l could have taken your purse. l
have sat In this corner ever since / en-
tered the car, and l have not been zeal
you. l refuse to permit you to touch
me-"
You see" exclaimed the complain
ant triumphantly. II knew It would
not be difficult TO locate the guilty
one
Il never saw your purse!' cried the
girl In the corner. 81 have no need
10 steal purses. officer, here is my
card. You must know my father by
reputation
Il can't help It, num-" said the Off.
Ger. "AlI the others have been search
ed. and If you refuse to submit
He stopped short. The girl had burst
Into tears.
Look hereE" cried Douglas. "Stop
this thing. l took the purse"
The others turned with one accord
toward him. Il took It," he repeated
delantly. "Oficer. do your duty"
The policeman laid his hand upon his
arm, but the owner Of the purse burst
u in protest.
Give me back my purse! she cried.
Il will not let you take him away un-
I'll l get my purse"
"Have TO keep it to use as evidence"
was the short explanation. Come
around TO the Fifty-ninth street sta
ton to make complaint. l can't wait
here any longer. Come on" He re-
newed his hold upon Douglas. but his
way was blocked by the IN
"At least l insist that you count the
money in my presence" she demanded.
Il have that right"
"All right" said the policeman in n
tired voice. "Give 1t up, young fell
low
81 haven't got It," stammered Doug
ms, to whom this was a very unexpeet-
ed turn. IL dropped It,"
Where did you drop lt?" asked the
ofieer. IN your pocket?"
where the window drops down." ex-
planned Douglas more gllbly. "You
can find it when the car gets to the
stables"
Il want IL now" persisted the vic
tim. II insist that it be given me at
once"
One Of the men leaned over the ledge
at the back Of the seat. There was a
space Of about two inches between the
window sill and the back OF the seat,
where the sash "a dropped in pleas
ant weather.
This IS where you were sitting" he
called, ~but I'm hanged II l can see It."
The victim made Il rush for the win.
dow and began to poke energetlcally
INTO the space with her umbrella, but
without result. The policeman stirred
uneasily. Il can't hold up this car all
day." he announced. you go on to the
stables and come over TO the station
house with IT,"
That's what" echoed the inspector,
who had come up. There's fifty cars
tied up behind. Keep 'em moving"
The policeman turned TO go, but Just
then one Of the women passengers
sprang toward the woman who was
Kneellng upon the seat busy with her
dshlng. There's your purse now!" she
cried rs she pulled aside the skirts OF
the long cloak the victim was wearing
at slipped down inside, and the chain
caught on the braid. 1t must have been
there an the time"
''Then why did this man cause me al
OF this excitement demanded the vic
tim, turning In heT majesty to con
front Douglas.
He went red for a moment. and TN
policeman took a hrmer hold upon hi
club. 81 thought II might stop all thii
fOOling." confessed Douglas. "And
you see. I'm a story writer. and
wanted 10 see how It felt TO be nj
rested"
1--WE a good mind to LET YOU see how
Il feels to be pinched for disorder.