The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-12-20


then doubled back and took a frest
course. Whats the use of a pick
pockets tryin' to live straight? Who'd
hire me? amt used to work anyhow
| s'pose there's no hope for an ex-con
vict That's what the papers say any.
how. It's good stuff too. It's great tc
have the papers on your side. Il
makes slippin' back seem easier"
He trudged along, now and then
casting wary glances to the rear.
Now, If there was any one who
cared, anything to live for, know ]
could make good. But 1 amt got a
soul. Nobody cares or depends on
me, nobody
Clang! Clang! Clang! A church
bell high above changed the tenor of
his musings. He sneered. "'An We
who are heavily laden'-I know the
system. Bring your troubles here and
shift 'em to some one else's shoulders,
preferably the devils. but shift EN-"
He turned the corner. At the very
door of the church, half buried in the
snow, reposed a market basket.
Holiday marketin', eh?" He pick
ed it up. Heavy" He peered
through the door, but all was solemn
dark within. "Doin' penance, sup
pose Well. here's a practical one for
carelessness." With the basket on his
arm he turned the nearest corner.
Our friend had Christmas dinner.
True, it was all rncooked. True, he
had no home to take 1t to, no place to
cook it. Rather useless bit Of petty
larceny 1t would seem. But each to
his trade. The crooked mind is ever
one OF expedients. He saw a restau.
rant.
Sure! I'll get them to cook my din,
ner Theren be some left over.
Maybe they'll take it off my hands,"
A plausible story bubbled forth.
80 l want you to cook these
things opening the basket, "and
Ply He stole a glance at the con-
tents. The lid fell shut. He stared
stupidity at the attendant.
'All shall be cooked as monsieur
Wishes" with elaborate gesture as the
waiter reached for the basket
81 guess you amt quite qualified to
roast this-yet" Our friend mopped
perspiring brow with his disengaged
hand. where's the nearest police sta
ion?"
Three blocks up the street. And If
monsieur will leave his basket while
he is away But monsieur had bolt
ed out the door, and for several mo-
ments much perturbed waiter won
HaraI -Ir
much perturbed man with basket
wondered how.
"Any story I'd tell 'em would sound
fishy. Then there's my picture in the
gallery. A record for good behavior
don't go very far. Great Scott! They'll
find the pocketbook on mer'
That thought lent wings to his feet.
The police station diminished in the
distance. What to do with the bas-
ket that was now growing heavy on
his arm--that was the question. No
use going back to the church. 1t was
left there with intention.
I'm the devil, all right. Somebody's
shifted the responsibility to my shoul-
ders. The first time I've been near a
church in years too. Well, I've got
my lesson. Not again for me-"
He thought of sitting down to work
his problem out. Those were likely
steps where that officer was passing.
Hurrying to his goal, he passed the
law. Their eyes met for an instant,
long enough TO thrill the basket man.
The officer hesitated as If searching his
memory. There was no hesitation
from the man behind.
You got me once" he muttered and
raced up the first fight of stairs at
hand. plunged into an entry and In his
excitement pressed the private belk
The officer turned back. There was
no one in sight Musing over the re-
semblance he rounded the corner of
his beat.
Steps sounded on the stairs. The
knob turned Well. he could ask II
they had any rooms to rent That
would explain his ringing of the bell.
A sweet faced. white haired lady ap-
peared In the doorway.
"Do you rent rooms?" he blurted.
II do not" The little old lady drew
herself up, her tone a trifle naughty.
The man muttered an apology and
turned away. The door moved toward
the jamb. A wall, unmistakable In its
origin. came from the basket Three
steps of the fight the man measured
in move.
"One moment, sirl" In the voice
above authority spoke unquestionably.
"Oh. ma'am, pleasew That policeman
had got on the light fingered ones
nerves, In abiect fear he turned.
my poor manF The kindly old
lady saw only the humble pleading
of a father to save his child from the
inclemencies of the weather In that
moment her dear old mind had built
romance around this situation, of
which the hero was the basket man.
She sought no explanation. Merely
to do good on such a day was suf
ficient to her Was not this the ami
versary Of a child who centuries be-
fore had not even basket to lie in?
HNopna an INV noor man cnma I'm f" |