Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1912-03-08


how the thief could have got the pock.
etbook.
There was but one moment" she
said. that it was out Of my posses
sion. l was sitting In the waiting !
room and candy boy came along.
had small coins inside my glove. and !
laid my bag down on the seat beside |
me while paid for some candy"
"A candy boy is the most dangerous
thing girl can meet" said Mr.. Spark.
line dryly. The girl looked up at him,
but rs his face was perfectly serious
she continued:
"A man sat in the seat next the one
in which had the satchel."
what Gid be look like?"
II haven't an idea."
complimentary"
"What do you mean"
"You evidently weren't attracted by |
the mans appearance"
Again she looked at him.
Are you sure you wouldn't recog.
nize him again."
mo. wouldn't"
The couple talked for three hours.
which seemed but one. and when they
were within q short distance Of their
destination the young man turned to
the girl and said impressively:
Ibid you ever take the 6rst step in
crime7"
mo-" she replied in establishment.
II have"
"Oh. heavens! Are you criminal:"
II stole your pocketbook."
'You stole my pocketbook?" 4.
"Alas. must confess it."
''But you have loaned me half ~
much as 1t contained"
THAT came from remorse."
''Rut II seems to me the remorso
came very quickly"
II couldn't bear to see you troubled"
She looked at him sidewise.
II don't believe word you say"
He took the portemonnais from his
pocket and handed It to her.
"Please don't have me arrested" he
pleaded. Il am the child Of poor but
dishonest parents. who taught me to
steal when was little boy"
II thought you said something about
drst crime"
Ibid 1: They taught me to lie too"
"Poor childv'
"When l saw you lay your bag on
the seat between you and me could
not resist the temptation. oh. why did
you leave 1t there?"
I'm 80 sorry. didn't know was
tempting any one. Why don't you re-
| form?"
II haven't any one to reform me-"
but Is it necessary that you should
! have some one for that? Can't you
do it yourself:"
| mo; I'm too far gone"
what do you want any one to do
to help your
"Why. l think that If could see
you once a week and you would en-
courage me might pull through to
permanent reformation"
She thought awhile. then said:
IF you really think l can help you
/ shall be very glad to have You come
every Saturday to tell me that you
haven't picked any ones pocket dur
ing the week"
"Oh. how thank you: know you
can save me and make an honest man
Of me-"
1.-The only thing that troubles me-"
she said thoughtfully "is that l must
tell father. and I'm afraid he'll OBJ
1ect."
Tell him to SO to Mr.. william
Evans. - Locust street He is in
terested in me and knows something
to my advantage"
When they reached the station the
penitent handed the girl out to a car.
riagc. and she drove away. giving him
M encouraging smile and promising
to let him know the decision in his
case. She told her father about it. and
he gave her 4 scolding. But she
forced him to make the inquiry Of Mr..
Evans. When he had done so he said
to his daughter:
Isis. the fool killer is coming this
evening to carry you away"
''What do you mean. papa"'
Evans. whom | have long known.
tells me that this man is Jack Spark
line. his nephew. worth half Il mil
lion and full Of the Old Nick. I've
given permission for the youn. rascal
to CALL
but he did steal my purse
''Of course he did. and with view
to making your acquaintance"
"Oh. my goodness gracious: And
told him he might come on Saturdays
to assure mo he hadn't picked a pocket
durn. the week..