The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-01-20
A Sudden
Transformation
BY r. W. KEENAN,
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciation. 1911.

discouraged aud felt that the only
way to pluck up courage aud get on
my feet was to light out. leave all
cares behind me aud strike n uew
field. My wife's father-an excellent
man, by the way-agreed to take cure
of my family till could send for them
or return to them restored In health
and pluck.
left America sick and dlsheartened.
A man sick Is usually mun dlsheart-
ened. and when he ~ obliged to go
away by himself 60 recover his health
he feels us II the bottom has dropped
out of his life. I never expected to see
my family aGain. However. the sea
voyage helped me. and by the time
reached Africa felt able to do some
thing for myself.
went TO work In the Kimberley dia
mond mines where | learned to tell
diamond when | saw H.. no matter IL
II was In the rough. One day in walk
ing across II ileld-{ su ", one and recog.
nized ii ut once. II was as big AZ Il
small English walnut and about the
same shape. | peunced upon 1t. look
ed It over and. sure was right about
1t being II diamond. put II In my
pocket. Even II of poor grade IL
would make me rich
| nude up my mind to return to
America with my end. so. procuring
little chnmols skin bag. put the
diamond In 1t. tirst marking my name
on the bng in ink Then took trav-
cling wagon for the coast.
There were hnlf dozen OF us trav-
cling together. but only two OF my
fellow passengers attracted my atten-
ton. One WIS big. rough looking
man. who sat beside me, noticeable
for his villanous appearance. The
other w,ls little mun IN the garb of
curnte of the English church. He
was reading his prayer book most of
the Understanding TO be only Interested
In holy nintters. a typical British pur.
son Of the Inferior grade, one OF those
miserable creatures who for some dirty
work done II lord gets living. though
this one. being In Africa. 1t appeared
more likely that he was missionary
clergyman. ".te
1 hadn't been sitting long by the big
rough man. whose accent marked him
for u Yorkshire man. when | thought
of my diamond, which was IN one of
my pockets next to him. ciapped my
liantl on the i,lacc where K should DO
and. 10. II WIS gone!
knew II had pissed into the pos
session OF the Yorkshireman. But
what was TO do? 7 was unarmed.
and could nee the butt OF his pistol
extending from Ills hip pocket. | look
cd over the passengers to see if there
was one ! could rely on to help me In
claim my property, But two Of them
We're women. aud the men In the
conch. except the two huye men
toned. were weatiy chaps. who ap-
peured 10 have very little STUFF In
them. There seemed nothing for me
4. 20 dO, bntdwalt tin, we got to the end
OF the route. teep the mnn 10 sight at
oil hazards and taRe' my chances for
an OppOrtunityt0 10 recOver my diamond,
This decided on aud did not show by
word or net that had been robbed.
The opportunlty came sooner than I
looked for t. Suddenly the wagon
was stopped 10y Single Han who or
,dprpd us nii out aud to tine up. ms
rond agents do IN western America.
Only the curate refused. and he mp
penred Ia do 40 FROM nblect coward
ice. Rctreatlng 90 Ear corner. he
begged the robber not TO XIII him.
The robber threatened to do so II he
didn't get out at once. but the clergy
nun only whlmpercd aud covered his
face with his hnndS, The rohbcr
transferring his vcyolver 20 his left
hand entered The wagon. seized the
little mnn by the collar with his right
hand and was quilting him out when
q sharp crack rang out and the robber
fell bnck out Of the wagon dead
II there wns any tlfe iefi In him II
WAS knocked out by the curate. who
jumped on him with both feet.
never saw small man grow big 20
quickly IN my life The next thing he
did wnS to plant his fist under the
Jaw nf the Yorkshlpman, who, re.
covering from the surprise OF the cpl
sode. was putting hls hand 10 his hip
for his revolver The big man did not
have Time to get M before the curate
was on him. hammering him In the
'fncc with n Dcrrngcr tlnving stunned
him. ne ,onk n pair OF handcuffS out
OF his poekct and ciapped them on hls
wrists.
"Whnt can do Tor you?" I asked
OF the larsnn,
"Get things In order 70 80 on I'm
lack Sharp OF Scotland Yard. This
man was the others pard. have been
following him 10 take him TO England
I SAW him rob YOU. and know he was
here 20 help the other"
] did ny he directed. got the driver
Into place. and. dndng some rope un,
der Il seat Jack Sharp bound the
prisoner firmly Then we proceeded
on the journey Sharp took my gem
out OF the mans Sorkct and handed It
TO me. go, safely home with It had
IT ground and turned Into cash.