Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1908-01-10
SAilAk.iAl .aAikiit,. .lAaiAkk
! BESSIE'S !
! PICKPOCKET z
By SrARcIr N" WILLS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
By NARcIH rf'"wILLIs


pockets are about. Some pretty seri
) our robberies have occurred lately. not
80 far from here either"
Bessie Pembrokes blue eyes open
ed widely Bessie was only IS years
old and she was about TO go 10 the
city 10 purchase several things for her
maiden aunt who was about 10 be mar.
rled DO you suppose ! should see
real robber, a yeritable highway
mann That would be an adventure, "
she said excitedly How will he
Iookg What IS he like. anyway"
Mr.. Pembroke smiled with amuse'
menf as he noticed the eager, inter
ested expression on Bessie's face.
I Well. there's not much prospect OF
your meeting one he said, but II you
should chance to, you might find him
very polite and entertaining. In all
probability he would not be noticeably
different from any other stranger;
one would reasonably suppose there
would be nothing in dress or manner
20 particularly attract attention
The next morning came bright and
clear and Bessie Pembroke stood
upon the platform with her mother
and sister waiting for the train which
was TO take her on her eyentful jour
ney
Take care OF yourself and be
sure TO go and see Cousin Annie.
Helen called after her as she hurried
into the car.
Bessie found an unoccupied seat, |
and putting her cape and bag beside |
her. settled herself comfortably as the
train steamed on. She took out her
book and soon became so interested
In her story that she hardly noticed
as the conductor shouted the names
OF the way stations until Monmouth
Junction was called and several pas
sengers came aboard The seats were
almost full. and and as Bessie glanced
around to see how the newcomers
would fare "a deep. serious voice near
her asked;
"Wnl you allow me to remove your
bag. miss. and take this seat?
Bessie bowed assent. and raising her
,ycs. saw man. tride abo'e the me-
lum height. with fine figure and a
ace not handsome. but certainly pos
.essing an agreeable fascination that
nahe The gin glance shyly up from
ler book at 81 more than once during
ne next half hour. there was nothing
lbont his attire foppish or SNOWY his
,lothea were of fine material and in
good taste. and were protected by
iark gray ulster.
placine his grip beneath the seat
ma drawing daily" from his pocket,
ic az once became Immersed in the
rows and obliyioas, apparently, to all
hat was eoing on around him.
Thus some time passed. then Bes-
he closed her book and furtively
watched the stranger at her side She
egan to wish he would say some
hing. the Journey seemed rather mo-
otonous She was becoming tired
ma had an idea that he might be
ute entertaining II he chose. Pres
ntly. as she made slight movement.
or book slipped from her lap and fell a
5 the floor The gentleman az once
cached for Il and returned It to her. g
anciug at the title as he did SO. s.
The Leavenworth Case me said; e
,ne OF Katherine Green's produc b
ons. Are you fond OF detective
ories. MISS c
BESSIE lancied that he looked at her Il
little oddly as he asked the ques-
on Then he spoke OF different au- al
iors and their writings. OF foreign nj
,etches aud travels, Truly he was ..
,stly entertaining and Bessie was an G,
,preciative and delighted listener. ca
Now It Glanced that the seat direct. SC
behind these two fellow travellers b,
as occupied by an elderly country sa
an aud a young law student and dur.
K pause in the conversation Bees /
: heard the countryman remark sc
Veil. / cant say as the administra. m
IN Is to blame. but Il strikes me Ia
ere Is a screw loose somewhere. or
r. officials would show more prompt an
ss aud energy in dlscharging their so
ties Gil
Right you are. sir" responded the br
mig law asplrant IT Is remark on
10 how negligent and dilatory our co
lice and others Ia authority to carry ms
{ the laws are Why. hear there
~ be one or more Burglars on this a |
rs train bat IN venture TO say to
'yll ride snmolested and likely fir,
ough fleece some unsuspecting pas. sun
lger in the bargain VIII
Bessie Pembroke's heart throbbed Ma
dis. her fathers words rushed into yo,
mind az once and her hand stole tiol
Silly into her pocket
FOR few moments Imagination pic tin
ed al the rerils she might be in. cha
! which she was utterly powcrless n
avert. she could not change her ma
L. as the cars We're crowded. so wa,
ans she determined 90 preserve her ~
seuce Of mind and her aunts money wa,
.Wlse. whatever happened. wol
'hes were rapidly approaching adv
mel through which the train must VIII.
Is and she felt a strong present n