Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-20

All the blood in Joes small body seemed to rush at
once % his heart and head 1t had all been SO quick
messed theft. He could not call out for hep-t!at
would mean almost certain escape for the thief he
himself dared not leave his place tor fear the man
would be gone before he could return.
But al! at the shopper at the acecou;Iter dis
covered her loss Joe saw that too from the corner
OF his eye. He heard the quick EXPLANATIONS, the
fumbling search among the loose bolts of lace, and
then the widening connection as Others about under
stood And then slowly and calmly, the man in the
gray coat turned and walked directly up Joes door
and started pass through it and out into the street
Joes heart stood still. Then the thief had pushed
Into the big revolving door and the door started
turn and Joe knew that in instant be would be
gone.
With sudden cry the boy leaped to bis feet
Thief! Thief! Stop him Helpl helpr he screamed.
and then suddenly as the door turned queer idea
occurred to him and he acted instantly He thrust out
his stout little leg between the door which followed the
passing man and its casing, and with sharp cracking
sound the big turnstiIc stopped. and the thief was
halted by the door and caught for the moment as If
The Shock and pain were severe. as the door shut
on Joes leg, for it had gained some momentum, but
the boy did not draw back He screamed again for
help and people on all sides turned toward him. But
the caught in the door was quick witted He
made clumsy effort to push on again. after the
door stopped and then, turning, what the boy had
done Instantly he aimed kick at the little unpro-
tected knee that pnched inside his trap, and but
for the cramped space and uncertain light might have
big young who did not belong to the store, but
who had seen it ALL and who was quick to think also
had caught hold OF the inner door ana WrenCneQ II
aside. and moment later dragging the thief out
into the open aisle.
OF course excitement was general Everybody
crowded up and before he could realize that he had
done anything remarkable Joe had told his story, and
being informed on all sides that he was good
one and brave boy and hero and many other conf
plimentary things He the shopper get her purse
and heard her say things to him which he did not
remember, though he remembered her smile And then
he suddenly remembered that his leg very badly
bruised indeed and hurt him very much and things be-
gan to grow dim around him, till the big young man.
who seemed to have taken sudden liking to him. and
who called him old man. most chummily, picked him
up and carried him to the elevator and tip into Mr..
Penfelds office.
After that Joe had very embarrassing time, for
Mr. Penield asked him MANY questions that he
couldn't help telling the whole of the story, almost as
it is here while Mr. Penelds eyes glanced at him with
what seemed enjoyment But when the story was
done, the manager said thing that settled Joc's mind
for ever on one question that had troubled him.
You're the boy who has been. helping everybody
down there too aren't you?" he asked and Joe did
not reply, he went on: 81 know I've been watching
you And now guess we H., have you help US up here
And when Tommy Murry said later that it was just
luck" Joe that he wrong though he
couldn't convince Tommy.