Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-25

to have patience. A friend approached
and Whitla walked into a sea Iuded cor
ner Of the hotel and talked to him in
monosyllables. His eyeiids tu-itched ner-
vously. He rubbed his hands and silently
prayer for the quick return of his boy.
THE BOYS RETURN.
Tn the meantime little Willie. tho
Kidnapped boy. feeling comparatively
safe IN the hands Of his kidnappers.
for ne was being treated kindly. ami
Eve At this time does not realize v.nat
terrible danger he was In. was being
prepared for his return to his father.
The woman at the candy store had
done her duty. She communicated
with the csptors OF the boy and told
them that the father had made no at
tempt TO trap them. The kidnappers
were satisfied. Hut whitla senior de-
clines TO ame the woman in charge
OF the confectionery store and almost
dAres the police to locate her. SO the
boy was brought from the hiding
plAoe-where II was no one knows
30 a car line In the East End OF tho
city which would bring him into town
quickly. The k~idnapper. according to
Willie. was cheerful enough. The
mysterious n and the youngster
skipped In school-boy fashion toward
the trolley line. testing in the mean.
time.
SENT NOTE TO CONDUCTOR.
A few rods from the car line the man
stopped the boy. Pulling a pair OF
smoked glasses from his pocket, he ad-
justed them to the lads head with the
remark: you'll look better in these"
The sides Of the black yarn cap were
pulled carefully over the boys ears. A
slip which Willie was TO land to the
conductor. was put in the boys pocket.
It read send this boy 70 the Hollenden
ftotel double quick"
With all arrangements made and his
tracks apparently we'll covered. the kid
napper took the boys right hand in his
bra why left and they continued briskly
along ward the car line. The lad
skipped gaily with his companion, the
promise OF seeing his dad and ina
urging him forward. The chatted with
each other. Willie says the man told
that II anybody asked him who took
to the ear line to tell them it a
mfr. Jones"
Just tell them FOUR name is Jones,
too" II O want to. said the Kid
napper.
"All right. Mr.. Jones" answered
Willie.
Presently . car came into view and
the mysterious Mr.. zones drew the
boy closer to him.
We'll, Willie you are going down
town now and you will see your papa
pretty SOON" he said.
This delighted Willie. He swung
on to the car quickly. according to
boys faro and then got of he car
and disappeared after waving "A
friendly adieu. This farewell salute
to his little captive was continued IN
til the latter IN the car had disap-
peared into the inky darkness Of the
night.
THE BOY RECOGNIZED.
The boy gazed about the car for a
familiar face. He saw no one he knew.
Presently Edward Mahoney. who is a
l7.year-old boy OF jolly visage. came
into the car. He sat down in the seat
with the boy. Mahoney. like most
every other person in Cleveland last
night was looking for little Willie
Whitla, the Kidnapped boy. SO when
his eyes lighted IN Willie he started
a conversation.
"Uhat's your Manner he aueried.
"yones,' answered Willie. true to his
kidnapper friend.
But Mahoney was not to be fooled. ne
called his friend Ramsey over from an
other part OF the car and showed MIN
Willie. He suggested that It might be the
missing child. Then Willie showed them
his tranefer slip. saying that no should
be puk of at the Holiendsn Hotel. and
they were convinced that they had ac-
eomplshed more than had all tho sleuths
IN the country.
BOY ANXIOUS TO FIND PAPA.
The boys. now willing companions. took
Willie to the hotel. He skipped through
the doors ahead Of them and into the
lobby. The boys partly lost track OF
him in tho crowd, 50 anxious was the
y~oungster 70 catch a glimpse Of a face
he loved. And then again. Mahoney and
Ramsey were not sure of their ability
as sleuths when they got IN view OF
an audience.
WINE OlOnt zee !" tdNncf' HioeHo' w
sister In tho hobby. walking over to the
clerk he asked have you seen my
papa"
."Who Is he. boy?" he was asked.
"Oh, I'm MI. Whitla's Willie" he re-
piled.
The crowd nearest the boy who heard
the words rushed In around him. The lad
was showed Or against the hotel counter
and the scene closely resembled q panic.
THE FATHER FINDS HIM.
Acrof the lobby the father. his ayes
red from weeping. heard the piping voice
OF his son. Frantic Will 10Y at the sound,
ne rushed through the once corridor
and in a moment WIS fighting his way
through the spectators. Piunging and
squirming, knocking by-stander right
and left. the frenxied parent made his
way 20 the bewildered boy In knicker-
bockers standing solemnly with automo-
biles goggles in front Of the clerks desk.
The kidnapped boy saw his parent
coming. He opened his lips to speak.
The words were icy spoken. Grasp
ing Willie In his arms, the happy
father lifted the boy into his arms
and planted 4 score OF kisses on his
lips.
ITS my boy. my darling willie." he
cried.
Tears gushed from his eyes. He
pressed the child to his breast n
Rugged him tightly.
Willie smiled a little. He was glad
to see his papa, but he didn't realize