Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09

shortes' cut. an 1 was jes a-strollin'
q see. Taking walk to enjoy the
morning air" And the wieider of the
night stick smiled as If pleased with his
irony. Then catching sight of the bag, he
asked abruptly:
Whats IN that sack7'
Oar amt muffin in dat but little
rooster"
The officer laughed at this admission.
which only confirmed his suspicious
You don't say So" with affected sur
prise: suppose he's out for an airing, too
BOOSTERS like to roam round at night
We'll, dis one don't like it. sab, but he
can't hep hisse'f-"
| joinder.
In haste to enlighten his grim custodian,
James continued: He b'longs ter de
family
"Oh, yes, guess he does; but he wouldn't
belong to the family much longer IL
hadn't been around"
why, ye sholy don't spec I steal dat
chicken?" said James, indignation getting
the better OF his fright.
The only answer derisive laugh-a
laugh that expressed more plainly than
words a doubt of the others statement
Eager to remove a too evident suspicion,
James hurriedly explained: -'Ye see dat
hous over yonder7 De standin' back
in de groun's7 Well. OATS whar 1 lives
| Mighty spectacle family dey is, too; couldn't
'duce 'em ter keep a spicous pusson No,
sab; We jes ask 'em bout James" Then,
by way of introduction. "dat's me-" And.
cheered by the thought of q blameiess
connection, James grew hopeful.
You mean to tell me you live In that
house?" asked the officer, doubtfully.
Oats whar live" was the satisfied re-
ply. why, you must know all bout my
people: rs seen we paradin' roun de street
| mos cherry night an / couldn't help mir
In yo' fine 'pearance jes feel SO saie
when I knew We marchin' up an down dat
beat. I go to sleep, an don even dream"
Feel pretty secure, heyf'
"Yas, sahi Safe as In a church"
'Weil-that amt my beat. haven't been
over there In year"
James was not discouraged. 81 don't
see how could be 'staken. but you gem
men look so much like, It's hard to tell
one from t'other."
The officer was silent moment but
he kept repeating to himself darkey-
bag-a rooster-just as IL these words
were part of some catchy refrain. The
circumstances were suspicious enough to
arouse his professional prejudice but
the man might be innocent after all
and 1t would be wiser to proceed with
caution and avoid a mistake His next
words made this decision apparent
Now see here. 1 don't believe you
know what the inside of that house looks
IKE, but III give you a chance to prove
you're not lying before 1 lock you up
Wen go over and have those people iden-
tify you"
James looked at the familiar place
light, then at the officer, and stood ir-
resolute. There arose before him a face
that was grave and reproachful; and yet
another, and darker one, that regarded
him with silent Scorn; and he fancied he
could hear the ring of Lucy's contemp-
tuous laughter and her singing words
that cut like the lash of a whip. It did
not take him long to decide; better the
lookup than the certainty of her endless
derision.
Watching the effect Of his offer. the
policeman noted this evidence of wayer-
Ing, but mistook its cause.
Don't like the ideaT he asked
oh, l likes de Idea well nough, but
We see I hates to .sturb Miss Mary. She
don sleep sound in de fust part OBJ de
night, an de only real res she gifts is in
de early mo'nin'. Pity to spile it-but
dar's need to Spite It," he suddenly
clean fo'got 'em. Dis way, Tom" he
called. Gracious goodness, but rs glad
ter see EN-. You sholy know our boys7
pe bovs rannS sm sv S o ds
de debbil. Oh! oh! dey'u tell ye rs no
chicken tief. Cose 'pearances agin
well, should say they were"
"Yas sahi I amt 'temptin' to deny IT,
but you'll 5es laugh when dey Glars up
de myst'ry."
Tom and his companions were hurry
ing toward the place of meeting. when
the shout of James attracted their at
tention. The sight OF their confederate
In the grasp OF the law stopped theIn,
and they looked sOrely puzzled; but the
light was now bright enough to disclose
the face of the officer, and with evident
recognition they came confidently on
Taking In the situation with quick per-
ception, the greeting between Tom and
the guardian OF the peace denoted pre-
vious acquaintance Stepping apart from
the Others they exchanged a few words
In subdued tones, but their look of
amusement gave way to one OF serious
ness as they Joined the waiting group.
Tom do you know this fellow?
Tom looked at the smiling James without
the slightest recognition.
81 think have seen him somewhere. His
face IL familiar"
Go long. Tom: quit yo' foolin'-"
Il found him proving around the
Smiths barn., said the ofncer; what do
Can't imagine"
"A rooster"
Tom eyed James gravely. That looks
serious. Bean stealing chickens. guess"
atom, amt ye 'shamed-"
mo doubt about 1t. Tom: caught him
with the evidence in his possession. But
he has the impudencs to deny It: says You
know all about him..
Il know . chicken THEIR And Tom as
sumed look OF righteous indignation.
81 afn't no more chicken tief DEN
'0f course youn lock him MP. oflcerr
we'd. / should say 50. !"
The face OF James was STUDY "a rap1dly
changing emotions; at f1rDt he seemed
amused 1t fanc1ed pleAsAntry: then sur-
pTixo wa1 followed by indignation. doubt
a1d aux1ety. and he glanced from one 70
ano<her 81 speechae. uuuhas: untf nnaHy
end ~ The absurd situation.
g &n66ouay = 10ok ~ diGnppofnfment ro-
r36pn4 Tomsp Wlrfhfn1ne9s Now. lsn'f
naxd 1,.eks and ~ pointed to ths