Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-03-22


There remained only the five women,
who, with the excited complainant,
comprised the passengers. Four Of
them stepped forward,
"I'Il let any woman in the crowd
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 jumbled the things out of her hand
satchel
'Next!' she called as she left her vic
tim to replace her belongings as best
she might
Three other women came forward in
turn, submitting with no good grace to
the examination, but the last one sat
quietly in her seat.
II 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 en-
tered the car, and have not been near
you. refuse to permit you to touch
me-"
you see," exclaimed the complain
ant triumphantly, Il knew it would
not be difficult to locate the guilty
one"
II never saw your pursew cried the
girl In the corner Il have no need
to steal purses. Officer, here is my
card. You must know my father by
reputation"
II can't help 1t, num-" said the Off
Ger. "All the others have been search
ed, and If you refuse to submit
He stopped short. The girl had burst
into tears.
''Look herer' cried Douglas. stop
this thing I took the purse"
The others turned with one accord
toward him. II took it," he repeated
defiantly "Ofiicer, do your duty"
The policeman laid his hand upon his
arm, but the owner of the purse burst
out In protest.
GIVE me back my pursew she cried.
II viii not let you take him away I'M
I'll / get my purse"
"Have to keep IL to use as evidence"
was the short explanation. Come
around to the F'ifty-ninth street sta
ton to make complaint. | can't wait
here any longer. Come on" He re-
newed his hold upon Douglas, but his
way was blocked by the woman.
"At least | insist that you count the
money III my presence" she demanded.
81 have that right"
"All right" said the policeman in a
tired voice Give 1t up. young fell
low
IL haven't got It," stammered Doug
las, to whom this was q very unexpect-
ed turn. IL dropped It."
where did you drop it," asked the
officer. 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 1t now" persisted the vic
tim. II insist that 1t lie given me at
once"
One of the men leaned over the ledge
at the back Of the scat There was a
space OF about two inches between the
window sill and the back of the seat.
where the sash was dropped in pleas
ant weather
"This is where you We're sitting" he
called, "but I'm hanged il can see It,"
The victim made q rush for the win
dow and began to poke energetically
into the space with her umbrella, but
without result The policeman stirred
uneasily 81 can't hold up this ear all
day." he announced. "You 20 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
fishing. There's your purse nowP she
cried as she pulled aside the skirts OF
the long cloak the victim was wearing.
at slipped down inside. and the chain
caught on the braid. I. must have been
there all the time"
"Then why did thls man cause me all
of this excitement" demanded the vic
tim, turning in her majesty TO con-
front Douglas.
He went red Tor a moment, and the
policeman took a firmer hold upon his
club. Il thought 1t might stop all this
fooling," confessed Douglas. "And,
you see, Pm story writer, and
wanted to see how 1t felt to be ar
rested"
"I've n good mind to let you see how
IL feels to be pinched for dlsorderlY
conduct" began the policeman, but
there was a quick, unseen transfer Of
something from Douglas pocket to the
officers palm. and the threat died
away in a benign, LET this be a lesson
to you," as the officer climbed Off the
car
There were many curious glapceS Ill
rected toward Douglas. but he met
them calmly and stared politely but
placidly at the girl in the far corner.
He rose when she did and left tho
car at the far crossing, but he fingered
at n drug SIoTc NllluOMt uiiN ~ N''" 49,
until the girl was halfway down the
block that he caught up with her.
"Bessie," he cried, won't you speak
to me? | only got In last Right and
was on my way up here when you got
on the car. Is there still no hope Tor
me?"
"Do you think you deserve forgive
ness" she asked, 'when you makS
Yourself so conspicuous on the carr
at was for your sake" he said softly
"The idea of telling people, she went
on, ignoring his last remark, that you
were an author looking for expert
enccsr'
IL had TO have some sort of excuse
he defended, "and that was the best
could do on the spur Of the moment
"Whatdid you want to do 1t for, any
how!y she demanded.
ITO prevent you from being search
cd" he explained. II was afraid thai
some one I'm the crowd might have slip