Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-06-21
POCketbO0kS and
PenitenCe
By MARY BOWMAN
Copyright, 1905, by Beatrix Reade

"Then l shall search these people my
SELF" snapped the old lady. mot ten
minutes ago 1 paid my fare out of that
purse and no one has left the car since.
1t must be here, tell you. insist that
you find it,
The policeman looked about the car
hopelessly. Douglas spoke up.
II 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 l am sure
none of lis will object. There is merely
mistake somewhere. Here, officer, do
your duty"
He stepped forward and with rapid
movements the policeman emptied his
pockets. The other four men in the car
followed his example. Then an expect
ant hush fell over the passengers.
There remained only the five women,
who, with the excited complainant,
comprised the passengers. -Four of
them stepped forward.
'I'll 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 l 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, II knew it would
not be difficult to locate the guilty
one"
II never saw your purse!" cried the
girl in the corner 81 have no need
to steal purses. Officer, here is my
reputation
II can't help it, 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 here" cried Douglas. 'stop
this thing. took the purse"
| Tho otbarc, %,,r,oI7 1r;%l, ,,a
toward him. 81 took it, he repeated
deiantly. Officer, 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 pursev' She cried.
II will not let you take him Away I'M
til 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 woman.
cat least insist that you count the
money i'll my presence" she demanded.
81 have that right"
Cali right" said the policeman in a
tired voice. "Give it up, young fell
low
81 haven't got it." stammered Doug
las, to whom this was very unexpect-
ed turn. "I-I dropped it,
"Where did you drop it?" asked the
officer. .'In your pocket?"
"Where the window drops down." ex-
planned Douglas more glibly. "You
can find it when the car gets to the
stables"
81 want it now,' persisted the vic
tim. 81 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 was dropped in pleas
ant weather.
"This is where you were sitting" he
called, "but I'm hanged If can see it."
The victim made rush for the win
dow and began to poke theoretically
into the space with her umbrella, but
without result. The policeman stirred
uneasily. 81 can't hold up this car 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
kneeling upon the seat busy with her
fishing. There's your purse now!" she
cried as she pulled aside the skirts Of
the long cloak the victim was wearing.
ct slipped down inside, and the chain
caught on the braid. 1t must have been
there all the time"
"Then why did this man cause me all
Of this excitement?" demanded the vic
tim. turning In her majesty to con-
front Douglas.
He went red for moment, and the
policeman took firmer hold upon his
club 81 thought it might stop all this