The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-18

And pctey. feebiy protestins. soon.
found himself after much showing.
in d sumptuous private 5ttice on
the third floor Across a large fiat
topped desk q young man covered
at him then bafked an order to the
clerk.
Please, mister, sobbed the ur.
chin, don't send for tn cops. I
didn't steal EN- They dropped
outa III wagon. Honest, they did,
l seen 'em fall out an was jes'
lookin' at EN-. Please mister, I
amt got no."
Officer" broke In young Nc.
Wilson, to Dan Rouke who had JUS.
entered, we've caught the young
scamp who's been stealing from
our wagons. He's got tho goods
there now. See"
"oh, Mr.. Rouke,' Petey. tugge 1
at Dams coat. Honest, I amt been
stealth. These-skates fell outa tn
wagon. found ON honest I did.
ain't--'
Arc ye sure, Mr.. wilsop7' ask.
cd Dan, hesitatlngly. ~ know this
lad-know his mother, too. They're
honest folks. Maybe there's some
mistake-maybe he did find"
Hes got the skates, hasn't he -
snapped Wilson, impatientIy "And
he don't deny they're ours. We
must make an example Of him.
Besides" with snug righteous.
ness, isn't he trying 10 spoil some
child's Christmas? Do your duty.
officer. Tako him away. And, err.
have the hearing day after tomor.
row. Tomorrow's Christmas, and
can't get away from my"
"The hearin' II be tomorrow"
snapped Dan grlmly, as he reluct.
antly collared Petey. "At 0 sharp, =
he added, leading the sad little
prisoner out Of the office.
Spoil some chlld's Christmas"
echoed Dan, an hour later, US he re-.
turned to the Wilson corner, aft 81
consignlng petey to the caro- Of tho
matron. spoil that kids Christ.
mas. Aud his mummy's too. Be
CAD, tn kids honest. know It
An he's goin' to have a good Chris.
tmas too-lf I can help IT,"
Dan looking over at the Nstro'
polltan Dairy Lunch, saw It was
dark, and Mary had gone home.
Christmas wouldn't be happy for
him-wlthout Mary. And Just thel
thought struck him and he dash.
cd into the corner drug store and
wriggled into tiny telephone
booth. He got her boarding house
and then, after a minute, heard her
voice.
Mary he spoke hurriedly, "dlt!
IN see a little kid pick up some
skates in Wilson's alley about aa
hour ago?"
yes she answered; then puz.
element in her voice gave way t,
mischief. "Did you lose 'em? And
how did YOU know I saw it,"
II saw you looking out" he an
swered, ignoring the flippancy
Whenever I'm ut that corner, its
You be lookip' for. But, Mary I'ri
askin' ye t. met me at the station
house at tomorrow morning."
Dan, are you crazy? Tomorrow's
Christmas day" I.
II know It." he answered sober.
~, "but not for that kid, Young
Wilson's had him pinched for steal.
in tn skates. He'll be tried befor,'
his honor at tomorrow. viii you
be there?'
Dan heard her answer "Yes" and
thought her hesitation due to disap
polhtment. He knew differently at
the hearing.
"Aud So" flared Mary. as wilson
and his clerk concluded their tes.
timony the following morning, "so
ye're calm this little kid a theft"
"Why not. Miss Miles, protested
Wilson, smiling at her ingratIating'
ly, and earning a frosty frown. HE
had the goods and. they're ours
and no one saw then fall from the
wagon. Except the boy, and he's
-"
"And except me-" snapped Mary,
viciously 81 happened to see him.
was looking out of the lunch
room in the direction Of your OF.
flee"
81 feel honored. It's
"You needn't shot back Mary,
"and you wouldn't II you knew my
opinion. Oh, l admit I've changed
my opinion some. Yesterday was
thinkin' what fine thing It would
be to enjoy all that wealth. AMI
! thinkin' how I could get some of II
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