Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-10-31


of impulse. To this he attributes most
of his successes and all of his trou-
bles. Whether the troubles overbal-
anced the successes or not is a deli
cate subject.
One of his wild l-Nulses swept over
Garble's soul as he turned to gaze into
the face of an excited bellboy The
bellboy had dashed madly through the
hotel lobby and around the cashiers
glass cage and then had grabbed Gar
BILE by the elbow as he stood counting
out bills.
well, what's the matter?" asked
Garble, as the boy suffered with ex-
element.
Garble and Rockton had been stop
ping for few days at Chicago no.
tel Now they were preparing to de-
part. They had dropped their bags
over on the other side of the lobby as
they came downstairs
So the bellboy suffered as he grab
bed Garble's arm. Say" he gasped,
them your bags over on the other
side-a the lobby? BY the door,"
"They are" replied Garble. Why"
well" said the bellboy, there's a
man trying to steal EN-! You'd better
come quick!"
1t was then that Garble was obsess-
ed by his sudden idea. He shut his
mouth, which he had opened to ex-
plain the matter, and stuffed his
change into his pocket with an exag-
gerated display of haste.
Where is hep" he growled, as he
ran after the fleeing bellboy.
Across the lobby he deserted Rock
ton walking away with the two suit
cases, headed for the checkroom
where they were to have been left
during the day.
Spurred on by authority, the boy
seized Rockton.
"Here!" he cried "Whachu dom
with them bags?"
Rockton turned a mildly surprised
face upon his captor and then glanced
smilingly at Garble in the rear. He
wondered why Garble looked so sour.
Why" he said easily, "one of ems
mine, and the other is his" indicating
Garble.
The boy turned upon Garble a
look which spelled complete under
standing.
How about that for nerve?" he
asked
He's an old hand at it," said Gar
BILE, stepping up and frowning upon
Rockton. Drop EN-! And we'll have
to see about you"
Garble pointed to his name card in
the tag on his suitcase. Clever of
him." he commented to the bellboy.
What do you mean to" began
Rockton, Indignantly,
Garble transfixed him with a stony
stare. Il mean to hand you over to
the police for grabbing my grips;
that's what / mean," he said distinctly.
Then he coughed. He had to, because
Rockton's face was so funny. Call
the house detective!" commanded he.
Amusement, rage and the shock re-
duced Rockton to a state of incoher-
ency, which was easily taken for a
sign of guilt Moreover, the house
detective was feeling unusually sus-
picious that day. And Garble was i'm
pressive.
you come with me-" the detective
told Rockton.
AS Garble, with unholy glee, gazed
upon his miserable friend, he thought
of an added touch. They had been due
to take luncheon with Miss Nedden
and her mother at one o'clock and, If
the truth must be told, there was quite
a contest on between Rockton and Gar
pretty Alice Nedden.
This mans liking for my grips has
delayed me-" he murmured. 81 have
an engagement at one o'clock and /
don't believe I can make it unless l
call taxi"
Don't call one" suggested the
house detective. You'll have to come
along to the station to prefer
charges!"
1t was then that Rockton, catching
a glimpse of the CONSERVATION on
Garble's face, braced up. He even
grinned. They sat glaring at each
other all the way to the station and
then Rockton had his innings.
Look here" he said to the question
ing officer at the desk He says he
can describe all the articles in both
grips! Well, so can I! Why isn't
my word as good as his? / tell you,
If you'll investigate this you'll find
he's the guilty man! He's trying to
steal my property by having me lock-
eG up"
its all a joke" protested Garble,
watching the clock hands.
Il think I'll look into this" said the
desk sergeant, ponderously.
Which he proceeded to do, with all
the frills of red tape known to a con-
scientious city policeman.
With the combined and disguised
aid of the hotel clerk and two business
friends, after they had related the
history of their lives from birth and
S$~~~~~~~~~~S~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~-~S~~ 80
Il Married Vogt ID