Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1910-09-17

course I could not help laughing.
Friend of yoursp Iasked. Sure,
he answered. Look at de shoes.
He gave me those. You bet he's
a friend. And you'll find him
straight as a string, and cheap
too. The boy turned round as he
was going out and called back to
me. Say, jest you tell him that
Blinky sent you, win you? Well,
was SO much tickled by the
cubs effrontery that / determined
to bring the watch in here the
first time I left my Office. You
see the result.
The jeweler nodded.
know the boy, he said. think he is
rough shell with a sweet kennel. 1t
may be that be will prove worthy man.
hope so, said the stout man. There
is something attractive about the scamp.
Well, good day. You may see me again.
The door closed behind the stout man,
and moment or two later was reopened
by the boy. He looked about him care
fully before advancing.
How's business2 be asked in his hoarse
whisper.
Better and better, replied the ieweler
with quick smile.
Saw fren' Of mine just beatin' il fer
bis tourin' car. He was in here just now
wasn't heP
Yes, the ieweler replied in bis grayest
tones. And he had something pretty
serious to say about you.
But the boy was not abashed.
Get anything off his rolf he asked.
The jeweler shook his head reproach-
fully.
want to talk with you as soon as 1
have q little time, he said. Can you
come in later2
Aw Iain't goin' away, the boy replied.
I'm goin' to hang around here an keep
me eve out for bad men. seen q fly
chappie from down our way littl5 while
ago, an I'll bet he's out fer somefn wort
while. II Wuzz up fer two years de las
time-an' it's pretEels to doBghuuts de
police don't know he's in town.
He stopped suddenly and drew back.
A man had entered the store. He was a
medium sized man, a little pale and
slightly stopping, and he wore glasses and
carried cane. He came directly to the
proprietor and nodded pleasantly.
I want suitable gift for lady, he
said in an easy way. A friend of mine
recommended your shop. He was here a
short time ago. Stout man, well dressed
rather red face. Don't you recall him ?
He's ]. D. Borden, the big mine operator.
He says you're all right.
The stranger was delightfully."- polite.
The ieweler murmured something about
being gratifed by Mr.. Borden's good
opinion. Mr.. Borden was gentleman
and a connoisseur.
OF course hs.is, said the stranger. He's
all that and then some. Pretty good
stock of ringsP
Not 50 very large, replied the jeweier,
but choice.
lam not prepared to 20 much above a
couple of hundred, said the stranger.
The jeweler opened the sliding door at
the rear of the case and drew out tray Of
rings. As be stopped to reach it the
stranger shot swift glance toward the
front window.
The next instant he was smiling over
the rings.
What is the price of this? be asked as
be drew out one of the circlets and held
it SO it would catch the best light. He
turned little as he asked the question
and was thus enabled to take q quick
survey of the interior of the store.
The girl clerk was at the rear OF the
room showing an umbrella to young
man accompanied by an elderly woman.
The man clerk was behind the opposite
showcase exhibiting berry spoon in a
silk lined box to very stout old man.
The price of that ring is $225. he said.
The stone is well cut.
With extreme elaboration the stranger
placed the ring in its place in the tray.
HoDk, honk, sounded an automobile
horn from the street beyond.
And then startling thing happened.
The stranger suddenly struck the
jeweler in the face with his left fist. It
was hard, swift blow that staggered and
stunned the surprised man. Before he
could cry out the stranger had snatched
up the tray and with three steps reached
the entrance. Passing out, he closed the
door behind him and swiftly thrust bis
cane through the double door handles
on the outside; thus temporarily fastening
them.
/ With the tray held closely against bis
body, under his coat, he briskly crossed
the walk and was about to step into an
automobile whose driver had bis engine
running and only waiting for this pass.
enger, when boy darted forward from
the shadow of the store wall and flung
himself with wild screech on the stran.
er's back.
| So fierce was the onslaught, go strong
the impact Of the tough young body, that
the man fell beneath it, going down face
first on the curb, barely missing she wheel
Of the car, with the boy still cliDging to
bis back.
| The driver Of the automobile swore
savaRsly at this tragic interruption and
leaning down from the seat struck the lad
a savage blow on the head with the handle
OF q revolver.
Come, Jim, be said. QuickJ
But the boy, though sick and dazed,