Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-02-23
A CASE OF HEDGING.
er eEoRee HEReERT eoAN.


lCopyright 1893. ~ American Press Asso-
ciation.l
When ! WIS studying medicine. one
afternoon was in the disseeting room
hurrying 20 ge through with subject
before the building should be closed for
the night An examination was be
fore me the rext morning and there
would be no opportunity to return TO
the dissecting room for some time to
come. had finished every member
except a foot when time was up. and.
stufiing it In hand bag used 10 carry
needed articles between the city and
the place lived in the suburbs. left
the room. intending to finish my work
at home.
On my way made one of a game of
whist 10 the smoking car with three
strangers Finishing rubber just as
my station was called, hastily picked
up my bag and left the train. on
reaching home | tossed my satchel on
a table. made my toilet and went down
to dinner. In the evening ! went ~
to my room 10 go to work. What was
my establishment and chagrin on TAX.
ing up the bag to discover that it was
not mine
was in a pickle. Whoever had
taken NY own satchel on opening it
would be Mortified TO discover a I'M.
man foot The fact would be reported
70 the police. and if the owner could
be identified would be subject TO a
charge Of murder. followed by an IF
fort TO get rid of the corpse pieccneaL
TIE wise thing to have done was
to report my loss to the police at once.
thought of this. but before doing so
concluded to look into the bag ! had
taken with n view to discovering the
owner. 1t was locked, and I was
obliged to force it.
The only articles in 1t were burglars
tools.
"Well," | said to myself. whoever
has taken my satchel Is not likely to
report his find. since by doing so he
will incriminate himself. There is no
necessity for my giving the subject
any further attention"
Were it not for one of those strange
condolences that are continually hap
pening my story would end here. A
year after my exchange of satchels
my house, or. rather. my fathers. was
robbed. | followed one of the men
downstairs, where they had turned on
the lights, and caught him by the
coattail Just as he was going out the
front door. He turned and gave me a
blow which knocked me down. He
made his escape, but during the brief
instant saw bis face recognized
my partner at whist on the Journey
when had exchanged satcheis.
wondered whether he had recognized
me, but It occurred to me that he had
not. for the light was at my back
Two more years passed. One day
while on a train a man took n seat
beside me, and when | looked at him
| recognized my partner at whist and
In the same man the burglar who had
robbed my fathers house. My first
thought was to summon the conductor
and have him telegraph ahead 10 the
police. My second was to turn up my
coat collar and pull my hat down over
my eyes so that the burglar would mol
know me. Then / remembered that he
had only seen me once, since when
had grown a beard. Thus treasured,
made a remark ia him. He replied
and we entered into conversation.
Now, It occurred to me that should
make charge of burglary against
him / would stand in a vulnerable po
sition He had been possessed of my
subjects foot. and | was uncertain
what, If any, use he would make of IL