Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1906 — JOHNNY FINDS THE “TICKS.”' [ARTICLE]

JOHNNY FINDS THE “TICKS.”'

Youngster Examines Papa’s Watch and Mamma Gets Excited. A youngster’s desire to learn what made the ticking of a watch caused the finger of suspicion to be pointed at an innocent 'woman one day last week. The mystery was not cleared until the child had completed his search for the “tick” and brought the remains of the watch to his mother. “The case,” said the detective who investigated it, “occurred last Thursday. A woman came to headquarters and said her htisband’s watch had been stolen from bis waistcoat, hanging In the hallway at home.. As there was no one but her son Johnny, six years old, and a woman in the house, she wanted the other womafi arrested. After assuring her such action would be taken If necessary, I went to the house. “I found the woman’s story, as to the loss, correct. But the suspected woman, when questioned, disclaimed all knowledge of the missing timepiece. “But the climax was brought about by little Johnny, who had "been conspicuous by his absence. He suddenly came Into the parlor. In his hands he held a bunch of springs and the case of what was once a valuable watch. “ ‘Oh, mamma,’ he said, ‘here is where the ticking came from that I heard in father’s pocket this morning. I have been taking it apart lor the last two hours. I have found it at last under this big spring.” “Needless to say, there was an apology by the mother. This was followed, I suppose, by a stance In the woodshed, where Johnny was introduced to a slipper wielded by his irate mother ” —Washington Post.