Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-09-27
The Pickpocket's
Scarab
By CHARMING POLLOCK

CopyrIGht. lsOe. by Joseph D. Bowles.l

|. Mrs. Duncan Osgood. being a woman
lof great presence OF mind, did not
scream when she felt hand. probably
the hand OF the street car passenger
sitting beside her, crawl stealthily into
her pocket.
Mrs. Osgood was intelligent rs well
m self possessed, and she knew that
cry would instantly project the thief
tn the rear platform. whence he might
costly step to the pavement Consid-
ering tho emergency hastily. Mrs. os-
good did the very best thing that could
have been done under the circum-
stances. She dropped her own hand to
her skirt and clasped the intruding
digits as firmly as she was able. In
stantly the digits aforesaid were
wrenched free and the young man on
her right hurried out OF the car.
Mrs. Osgood held her pocket for
few moments while she decided to hold
her peace. She could feel that her
purse was safe and she realized that by
that time the young man must be In
tho same happy condition. Since moth
ing had been lost. nothing was to be
gained by creating disturbance. Mrs.
Osgood remained on the car until II
reached Seventy-second street, where
she resided. and then. her self-satis-
faction showing In every movement,
she walked home. i
That night, while she was dressing
for dinner, her maid remarked: II put
your new ring in the jewel box, ma
dam"
MY new ring?" inquired Mrs. os-
good.
1.-The one in your pocket" replied
the maid. 1T wasn't wrapped; just
loose like"
"Ah!" quoth Mrs. osgood. LET me
see It."
Il was a curious trinket OF the sort
known as q burial scarab. Doubtless.
hundreds OF years before 1t had
adorned the hand OF some spiced
Egyptian gentleman boxed and con-
signed to a polytheistic paradise. More
recently, Mrs. Osgood felt certain, 1t
bad slipped from the finger OF another
gentleman bound for place remote
from any paradise whatever. In fine.
the ring unquestionably was the prop
erty OF the pickpocket, and Its present
posesssor had foiled thief only to be-
come a thief herself.
1.-The funny part Of It," said Mrs. os-
good while the fish was being served.
"is that can't bring myself to hope
that anyone will ever claim the thing.
It's the most extraordinary scarab !
ever saw"
IL shouldn't think of wearing II" re-
turned Mr.. Osgood. 1T might be in
fected, or, for all you can tell, 1t might
he symbol to identify you as men,
bcr OF some criminal society"
"Oh, that's too good" exclaimed his
wife, and attacked the fish.
A few days later she advertised In a
paper that the owner of a fine Et,yp-
tian scarab lost on a Columbus avenue
car might have the same by the simple
process OF describing his property. The
notice also contained the reassuring
information that no questions would be
ssked. Notwithstanding this promise
OF consideration for tender con-
science, no one ever called to claim the
ring. and, after time, Mrs. Osgood
began wearing II herself. 81 have
strange Partially for things out OF
place." she commented, "and 1000
year-old beetle bound to the third fin
ger OF ones right hand may certainly
be said to be out of place"
Don't be surprised" her husband
admonished, III some anarchtstic-look-
ing ruffian stops you on the street and
esks for the countersign."
Mrs. osgood laughed again. Deep In
her heart she did feel a little uneasi- |
ress, but, as she wore the ring evening
aftei evening and the prophecy OF her |
lord and master was never fulfilled,
even this slight fear left her. On the
first night of the Conried season she
selected the ornament from large
number OF others and carried 1t 30 far
into society as D Left, in the Metro.
politan opera house. There 1t excited |
attention, particularly
from q thin, nervous woman IN a loud |
gown and the adjoining seat.
The thin, nervous woman proved to |
be anything but an agreeable neigh
Dor. She fdgeted restlessly in her
chair and expressed her annoyance at
the contact of Mrs. Osgood's opera |
cloak, which had been thrown care
lessly over the space of seat-back be-
tween them, by frequently plucking at
lie soft folds. At first Mrs. 0sgood laid |
these gaucheries to standardization.
an opinion born OF her husbands
laughing remark: "She goes out after
every act and is worse every time she
comes back" Subsequently, however.
Il was agreed that the offender prob
sbly was merely ian outsider" VINO
didn't know how to conduct herself.
ssrhere isn't any bar in the foyer, IN
thers?" Mrs. OsgOod asked during one
u the intermissions.
Mr.. 0sgood said there wasn't.
well, thenl" returned Mrs. Osgo,,d.
adding: Besides. noticed that she
.Imply walks about. Perhaps thiI is