The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-25

suggested an unpleasant possibility.
His clothes were so worn that the frail
calico might give way and every gold
en- coin rattle forth to the pavement.
So with one of Mr.. Abingdon's shil-
lngs he made his first purchase, ca
pacious tobacco pouch with snap
mouth, for which he paid ninepence.
Then he adjourned to an aerated bread
shop and ordered some refreshments
While the waitress was bringing bis
cup of tea and piece of cake he con-
trived to slip all the sovereigns but one
into the tobacco pouch.
He did this with his hand In the
pocket itself. and more than once there
was a pleasant clink as the coins fell
into their novel receptacle.
A man sitting near caught the sound
and looked up suspiciously. Philip
whose senses were very much on the
alert today, realized that his action
was somewhat careless. Without even
glancng at his neighbor, he took out
his remaining couple OF shillings and
the three pennies, and affected to count
them with a certain degree Of astonish
ultut, dS IL ooLhC "CIC Ahe
ruse was satisfactory. The man gave
him no further heed and soon quilted
the restaurant.
Philip rendered the odd sovereign in
payment Of his bill. The girl cashier
seemed to be surprised that such .
ragged youth should own SO large q
sum.
"All silver. please" said Philip, when
she began to count his change.
He would take no more risks IL he
could avoid them. Not a single police.
man in London would have failed to
arrest him at that moment were his
store of gold revealed by any chance
Yet Philip was rich honestly, and there
were men driving away from the city
at that hour whose banking accounts
were plethoric with stolen money. For
their carriages the policemen would
stop the traffic. In neither instance
could the guardians Of the peace be
held blameworthy. such is the impor.
tance of mere appearances.
The boy. during his short and terribly
sharp tussls with London life, hao al
ready grasped this essential fact, and.
with great skill and method. he set
about the task of altering bis own
shabby exterior
In a side street leading out of Gray's
Inn road he found a secondhand
clothes shop. Here he purchased
worn, but decent, blue serge suit for
s shillings sixpence. pair Of boots for
5 shillings. cap for ninepence, wool
en- shirt for 2 shillings and a linen col
lar for threepence.
He haggled sufficiently over the bar
gain to suit the needs of a scanty
purse.
1--WE cut 'em dahn low enough" said
the shopkeeper mournfully. Things
isn't wot they was in the ole clio line,
let me tell yer. Not but what you do
want new rig-aht.''
Yes" said Philip. 1--WE got a job
and can't keep it unless look decent
For the life Of him he could not bur
lesque the cockney accent, and al
Alough he used the simplest phraseolo-
- the man glanced at him sharply
Philip ratified all his silver and cop
9ers on to the counter. He counted out
16 shillings sixpence
Not much left, is therer' he said
We'll, look ere said the man
Gimme fifteen bob. You're q sharp
lad. You'll myke yer wy all right
Mex time you want some buds come to
me an I'll treat you fair"
Thank you very much said Philip
surprised by this generous
act Il certainly will not forget you"
You can change in my little back
room If you like. That lot you've got
on amt worth tykin' 'ome."
Il am obliged for your kindness, but
1 must be of now. 1t Is late, and
haye-a long way - 90"