Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-10-25


had caused the people the afternoon
before.
"A mighty serious one for You 10
try 10 spring on the people here. even
il We are little country town." shot
back the sherifI, CURLY,
Il don't go without a warrant de-
elaFed the now frightened Gibbs. edg,
ing away from the officer,
And here II is, Come. hurry up and
get those buds on. said the sheriff,
pOking the professors trousers with
his cane, Got Il in thereg"
Got what" demanded Gibbs.
"The roll. Say. but you are good
actor You play the innocent fine"
Now. let me tell you. officer.
don't know what you're talking about,
| am alone here. and innocent. All
| ask is show, and will clear my.
self"
"You better be looking for show
10 clear out. especially considering the
big roll you took" suggested the
sheriff.
What's the charger" shouted Gibbs,
hotly. Let me see IT," and the sheriff
handed him the warrant.
Il never knew, saw, heard or read
Of James McDermot & Son." declared
Gibbs before he had made much
progress in reading the warrant.
you must be great mind reader.
not to know the name of the man who
was fool enough TO let you open his
safe yesterday afternoon. My, but
you're an innocent one!" declared the
officer.
Explain" and there was a pleading
tone in the voice of Gibbs that really
touched the sheriff's heart.
It's easy; $3.50 put in their safe last
night; and 1t isn't there this morning
and the safe wasn't blown, up,
either. You tricked the old man into
letting you get the combination, and
the calculations are that some time
between bed time and getting up time
you slipped out o. here, got the safe
open and took the gazuma. Now, do
you see?"
Take me to Jail" gasped Gibbs.
How are your wheat investments
proving? Making your something, are
they?" asked modest little woman,
with gentle voice. addressing the ell.
der McDermot the following day, she
having paid him for some dimity.
I'VE don't deal in grain here, only
general merchandise" replied the mer-
chant, his face showing the surprise
he felt over the strange question from
the strange woman.
1t is very kind of your clerk to
invest your money for you and save
you the worry of the rise and fall OF
markets, very kind, indeed" rejolned
the lady, calmly.
Our clerk has been with us II
years and would do nothing of the
kind without consulting u.s." said Nc.
Dermot, somewhat warmly
Il don't care if he has been with
you so years. she spoke clearly, firm
ly; he has invested your money in
wheat, and it was so considerable OF
him, too, to go to the city at nigh
so that it would not interfere in any
way with his duties in the store"
Madam, what do you mean by such
nonsense?" shouted the merchant witt
, more temper than he had shown il
many years.
Compose yourself, my dear sir
compose yourself" she said, softly
then, turning quickly, shrieked
Look at that guilty countenance be
hind YOU" and She pointed her finger
straight at man of middle age, whC
. was nervously lingering a graNsh mus
-. tache, his face ashy pale, his eye
l downcast.
!, you have my husband in jai
charged with stealing your money.
, continued she, earnestly; "mone,
) taken by that trusted confidential clerl
$ of yours. Gibbs may be a fool, blu
he is not a thief. This man may no
be fool, only as all thieves are fools
but thief he is for sure. When m,
husband unlocked that miserable SAT
y of yours, this clerk saw his opportuni
:, 'ty to take the money out at night an
:, throw suspicion on Gibbs, stranger.
i What were you doing in the cit
last night?" she said scornfully to tn
, clerk. why did you go under cove
, of darkness? When | came on tn
= early morning train and saw you ge
G on at the city, who was the man tina
a came into the car with you, and t
whom did you talk about the prospect
= of the market going up? Who's
. money did you invest? You know an
= l know 1t was the Identical $3.50 yo
:, made this man believe my husban
stole"
- The accusation came with such fore
= and truth that the bewildered cler
a could not hide the guilt he felt.
= The first indication Gibbs had ths
'" Mrs, Gibbs had come in response {
his telegram saying her to Hurry I
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