Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 26, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 December 1875 — Page 2

N&,

••-ill

THE MAIL

A

PArER FOR THE PEOPLE.

TKKKt: HAUTE, DEC. »4, IK75.

BAUTS STOCKING.

Hang tip baby* stocking: lie wirr you don 1 for««*t! Tb« dww util« Ultupled darllni:

Hh iw'or «aw Christinas y«U Bui I've told ber *11 about it, And she opwued hi hit l»luf eye*, And I'm rarenhe antl«r«tood me,

Hbe looked so funny and wine.

Dw, dear! what a tiny stocking ?, It do«»n't tak- mucb to towl£ Bueh little pink toe* as baby"*

Away fiwu tbe frost ami wild. But then for the baby'* Christmas It never will do at all: Why. Haata Clao« wouldn't bs looking,

Fur an) thing half wu wnull. 1 know what w«'H do fur boby:

I've thought of th«? very best plan: 111 borrow a Blocking of grandma— TUe loiuwkt thai ever I r*u A«d youil hang by ntiue, dear moU«r lUgtat lier» In the corner, so, And write a letter to Hauta,

And fasten It on the toe.

"Writ®, "This 1* the baby's stocking 1 hat hangs In the corner here You never have seen her, Hanta,

For *he only came this year But she's ist the blrssedent baby, And now, befon- yc»a go, Ju*t cram her (Stocking with good tea.

From the top clear d»wn to the toe.

Striped Carpet-Bag

OF,

HOW I Hi'EST CUIUSTMAS.

"This has been something: llko Christmas," Frank I*yton said, an he closed ti»e door ott the last guest, and conoiiiK into the parlor, stood with his back to the Are, and glanced around the

fileaaant

room. 'Vliurch in the raorn-

ng, a big dinner, and our friends in the evening- Not like ono Christmas I shall remember mv life long." "Tell us of it," said ul« cousins, sim ultaoeously, each drawing a chair closer to the fire.

It is a long story." Just the time to hear it. Go on." Well, if you will." He seat«»a himself in a large chair crossed his legs, threw his head back, and taking up a paper-cutter from tho tab!#, playtxl with it as he talked. •'I had l*»en for many years in tho ooap'ov of Thom A Co., the notel banker*, as their confidential clerk. My principal business was traveling from place to place for theui, exchanging the fames of banks for specie, and shipping the specie toNew York and other pointa. It was not a very soothing occupation, or one calculated to make a man sleep well and have pleasant dreams, but there was a certain excitement abont it -which kept me alive, for it was necessary to have all one's wits about one, and be constantly on the alert, while at the same time appearing careless and indifferent.

I was so woll known as Thom it Co's Agent, when I entered a town where tbero was a bank, bag in hand, the men I mot generally turned to look at me, giving a peculiar glance at my luggage, which was «ften a small fortune. How tho bankers hated to see tne. Often when I presented their issues, amounting to ton, twenty, sometimes fifty thousand dollars, payable in specie, they would give ino all the trouble in their power, doling it out In small denominations, which would take time to count. As a general thing, however, they were courteous, although myself and carpetbag were never welcoino visitors.

It had been a very busy wason. Tnere had been an unusual demand for speoie, snd I had made a long trip among tho towns in Northern Ohio, ending with Mawdllion. Very tired, 1 bid reached home, thinking of having a good real, and attending a ball the

Hovers' were about to give on Christmas Eve. I was very fond of dancing. It wasaliout two o'clock when I arrived, and after setting up at tho office, and talking matters over with the principal, I went home for a wash and a fix up, peparatory to going to see the girl", and dropping in at the theaters. I bad made my toilet, tea was over, and feeling very comfortable, stood with n»y buck to the tire In the parlor, talking •with my mother and sisters, and giving an occasional pall at my waistcoat, or a!taking toy new pantaloons down in tlace over tny boot*. My mother, bleee jer memory, sat with a beaming face listening to tny talk. bad turned to the mantle glum for a laat look at my neck-tie aa I drew on my gloves, when there came two or three quick icrk* at the hell. I stepped Into the hall and opened the door. 'Luckily I caught you before yon went out,' said Mr. Thom, Sr., for it was bo. 'I afraid I should be obliged to search half the place of amusement tor you.' knew in a moment he meant bun4 Inees, and tny Invitation for him to en* t«r was not a very cordial one. am obliged to request von to be off the tint thing in the morning. We received an order by the lato mail for a large amount of specie. Hare are fifty thousand dollars, ten on and the on We are very anxious to have it shipped before Ctuiatmaa.'

He was in the room by this time, and held carpel-beg towards me, I gtaneed at it an he Spoke, aud saw It w*i not the one 1 usually carried the money in, but some sort of striped enormity of* very common pattern. The

A 'ikt. »aa ita it

has I n*©d for'this purpose was irtade of a olees »f earpet or a peculiar patiam, which I bed selected for the purpoes.

my eye might detect it In a moment among a do*en other*. «That is not bag, Mr. Tbo«, I Mid, in not an altogether pleasant lone. •I never carry tnooey in a bag like

know but your bag was put In the vault, end when I eame to leave John bad gone with the keys. I was In hurrv and thia was bandy, so 1 throat them fr. It £r

I did nM like It, hot merely remark--d toad rather have tfce other.' He Mve u»e bto in*tn»ctione and left. In

verv-

^elf

BSiiSi

good humor I saw the money

Sowed *w*t in a nlaoe of safety. wit& tlotberto gtisrd it, lbr ahe always InStted"" taking care oi it when we were »o bave It in the boneo over ^ifflLtb#* I ml*ht *t"^at it, ^L mr warn and she bad pteeM of ^7 wam twi ttw\rt*J voitul dn» JJlSi it wbpre no mortol would dream ^rvhiug. Then went out prepared *7!!pr******•** mn*u oflrbo"

mr

door, with oft-repeated admonition* to be cautious. I buttoned my coat clotty and stepped out Into the twilight of the deeerted streets, and found was anow-

It was a long walk to the depot, and I met but a couple of peiaons in ita whole length, one a watchman. My own trend was tho only sound that disturbed tho sileaee, and it was muffled by the falling snow. I feltmore than my wonted anxiety, and more than onee turned my head to look behind me.

Once on the train, I placed my bag under my bead, passing my arm through tne handle, and went to sleep, with the abandon to poaltion that a tired man always ha* in the cars. It was uncomfortable at best. Every now and then I would shift tny body, open iwy and look around, th*n fall asleep again. Several hours passed. Finally I roused myself, gave one or two vawna, looked at my watch—it was nearly noon—stood up an°l shook myself, then walked forward and got a drink of water, and remained some mintitea at the door, looking out at the snow. The ground was white, and it was still falllug. I returned to my seat dreadfully bored.

There were not manv persons in the car, and I fell to observiug those who were. Several old ladien, a woman with a baby, and some business men, sst here and there. Immediately in front of me sat a figure in half mourning. I thought I knew—ves, tho tatea had oertiuHly beeu kind to tue—It was she, Jennie, a ptettv little widow, tho wife of my most intimate friejid who had died two years before. We were very intimate, and had always called each other by our first names. I—well, I always ha»l a sneaking tenderness for her. Close besido her on the same seat fat a fat, wheeav, disagreeable old man of between fifty and sixty, with a most disgusting cough, who I know bad been but throe months a widower. He was making lovo to her I saw that. Sho had got as close to the window as possible to bo out of his way, with her veil down and her face pressed close against the glass, was looking out. Her coyness onlr made the old fellow the more eager. lie edged closer and whispered the honeyed words, tho sweetness of which his cough would break in on. "Very much amused, I threw up my feet and sat watching them, determined that presently I would go to her relief. Just then a rough looking man crossed the car, and, taking a soat beside me, began to ask questions. I replied in monosyllables, still watching two widow. Directly he said: 'You seem to be very careful of that carpet-bagof yours.'

I looked, and saw that as it lav beside mo I had unconsciously passed my arm through the handle. Annoyod, I said carelessly, 'Yes, it has my best clothee in it. It makes a good pillow, though.'

Giving it a toss, I landed it in the rack just above the widow's head. She started at the shock of its lodgment, and turned her head.

Why, Frank 'Jennie!' San* ecremonie I was out of tny seat, and turning over the one in front of her, from which I could havo a full view both of tny carpet-bag and her face, I took possession of it, apologizing for my rudeness in startling ner. She forgave me, but the old gentleman growled out hia complaints at my intrusion, to which neither she nor I paid any attention. Disgusted at our lively talk, he soon relieved us of his presence, when she informed me that she had only met him once before to-day, and that ho had been making love to her ever since they left the city.

I expected to sVp at transact my business, and be in time for the evening train up. So when wo reached there I told Jennie I would see her at her uncle's, in where she was going to spend tho holidays. I got off when the station was called, and mado mv way to the bank.

There bad been quite a heavy drain on the vaults ol the institution there and my visit at this time was a particularly unwelcome one. The usual meaus or annoying and detaining mo were resorted to, and I was barely through by three o'clock.

Weary and hungry, after disposing of the money as instructed to do, I hastened to a hotel for refreshments. I made a hearty meal, and was again ready to take tho train for

It had not ceme, so, taking a chair by the stove in the bar-room, I entered Into conveniatlon with the people who came In and out, and was aatoniaked to find they knew all about my business, and what had brought me to their town —even to how much money had drawn from the bank, and how I bad disposed of it.

The time for the arrival of tho train came and passed. There was ho train. There were rumor* of Its having run off the track, been detained bv the storm, Ac. I began to feel dreadfully chafed and put out, lor every moment's delay now made my rhanee of getting home by Christmas night leas and lea*.

Tho hour* passed. Peoplo dropped off to th«lr homes. The bar was closed. All lights were put out but one. The hotel clerk and I remained the solo oocupants of the room and were undisturbed, except by the watchman of the establishment, who occasionally came in to warm and announce that It got colder and colder and snowed harder and harder.

Btill the train did not come. A Her some Ulk tho clerk foil asleep on the settee, and I on two chairs. I drow close to the stove. It was near morning when I aroused the derk, watehmsn. and most of the house bold by the terrible noises I made followed by 'murder murder!' screamed at tho top of my *©iee. I bad the nightmare, cansed by my unpleasant poaitton on toe chairs— thouttht some one waa throttling me, and r'

(ng

dnartara Although

lew and"**"*? «ben I got op,

bathed Ww« w*

1

awoke floor, gathered arovhad •«. "Mv vexation seemed now to have reached Its height. I wee more anxiooa than ever to get a way. but there was no train yet. I uv»k consolation, however, In the knowledge that tt I could not be at the ball 1 oould spend the evening with Jennie, In t«it even this

irospect seemed to grow l**e as morndawned and no whittle we* heard. I did not enjoy the little laUfha and kos made at tuv expense bracket, tb«-«K whose slumbers I had dmurbe«|. "1 stood at the door, lookin* out upon Ike snowy tandseape—the jtietU was covered over afoot deep-when I heard the train blow. It came in slowly and after some delay proceeded on Its wav again, taking inyeel! and earftet-bag along, the fetter having been all night la the hotel safe. •Weprogwwwsd slowly, making many stoppages, and did not reach C—— until badness twan were over. I went to a hotel where I waa well known, and where there wae a email vaolt,where the proprietor kept hia valuable* and those ol nis guest %, part of the hotel having prvDOQKly been an Institution requlnnp such a place. I ftnaght the proprietor, gave my bag Into his hands, and saw it locked up then going to nay room, I dressed myself for a call on Jennie.

1

WiHXM

She was glad to see me. There were half a doaen others present, and we had a merry evening. I told tho story of her flit adorer in the cars abe gave a laughable sequel as to how she got rid of nlm, and many a It was late when I lei

Ho was leaning over the desk. He raised his head and looked at me, and without a word unlocked tho safe and took from it the key of the vault. There were three other bags there, but none like mine. Ho stared at me and 1 at him. "'Where is It I said, hoarsely.

He shook his head. I was about to speak, when ho glanced over hia shoulder, then back at me, with a warning look. A largo, thick-set man, with a sort of bull-dog appearance, was leaning over the counter, beside the desk, attentively regarding us. '"joe locked the door and I followed him out. He told one of the employes of tho establishment to remain there until ho returned, and wo weiit un stairs. As the door closed I heard tho big inan say, 'That man 1ms lO'st sonufilng. Who is he

Whew we reached my room, Joe closed the door and locked it. •"Who has taken it?' I asked, as I leaned afpiinst the bedstead, feeling faint and ill. "'Hurke, I am afraid.' "'Burke! who is Burke?' 'Burke the gambler. lie caine here last night about nino o'clock, and asked to have a bag he carried put in the vault. I put it in for hirn. At eleven ho came back and said he wanted to get something out of it. I gave it to him. After he had opened it he tossed it over, saying, 'It may as weli stay there until I call for it.' Early this morning, before breakfast, ho was here again after tho bag. Wo never allow any one behind the railing, but while my back was turned getting the key he came through and when I opened the vault he snatched It and went out quickly. I did not say anything to him, for lie looked as though* he had been drinking, and was In a Cad humor, and I did not want to get into a fuss.' 'Where did he go "'I do not know to somo oftlie gambling saloons, I suppose.' 'You are sore he took the bag

I was examining tho clothes. There was no tnark upon them. They were of fine material one of the shirt bosoms had Insertion in it there was an elaborate dickey, numbers of false cutis, hemstitched pocket handkerchiefs, socksall clean, and just such things as one calling himself a gentleman would be likely to bave, but there was neither initial nor name. '"He took a bag like that. Tho farmers when they come to town and sell tbeir produce keep their bags hero in the vault, and no ono but Burke and Farmer Juckson have had one out.' '•I felt myself shivering. I stood a moment to think. "'Wo must keep quiet and find him,' I said. I moved to tne door. "'I will go with you. The reputation of the house is at stake. We must seem na enrol ess as possible. That fellow down stairs la a friend of Burke's, lie suspectod something. I believe the whole thing has been mado tip between them. They have tracked you, and Burke has watobed hia opportunity and played his game of exchanging tho bags, while Iawson hangs around to report what is going on, for thev are verv seldom here.' "I started at'this and turned over the whole Journey in iny mind, but it did not seem to mo his surmises wore correct. I believed Burke had really mistaken the b*g*, but whether when he found hia mistake ho would return the forty thousand dellara or not, was the question. ••Joe had thrust all the things bfck again, locked the bag, and we went down fctalra. The big man waa standing by the stair as we went In he looked at m© curiously, and I stared at him with agate that my anxiety ma*© defiant. He aeem©d about to answer It, but Instead took a seat. Joe passed out of a door at his back, making a sign tn me. I was in a ft»ver of Impatience, but I waited a few moments before going out at the usual entrance and Joining him, *Cbm© this way," he said. We cioas 1 lt» the back of the premise#, and came out on an alley. Aa we rapidly traveraed it. he continued: I have set a watch an Dawson. We will go to all the gambling-places aud see If we can And' Burke.'

ed

M'First,'

rjUcc

TEKRE TTATJTE hat HP AY EVENING MALL.

joke went round. left the house, con­

gratulating myself that I had made some considerable progress with the fascinating widow. Matrimony began to take shape and form in my mind. ••.My sleep that night was long and sound, snd it was lste Christmas morning ere I awoke, I dressed leisurely, and ate my breakfast almost alone, the dining-room nearly empty. As 1 aroee from the table,a sudden desire seised roe to have a look at that carpet-bag. I never liked to have it long where I could not see and examine it. I sought the proprietor. He had pone np on the late train the night before to spend Christmas with some frieuds. The clerk, his son, whom I knew very well, took the keys and accompanied me to the vault. There lay the hag. I took it up. We joked about its contents and I passed on up to my room with it. I threw It on the bed, and happening to see an acquaintance pass the open door, I spoke to him and became in and talked a fey minutes. As he left I took up the bag to return It to the vault, for I was going to attend Jennie to church, when I bethought me to open it. The key was on my watchguard. I whistled an air Jennie liad sung the night before as unfastened my vest and brought it forth. I turned the key and opened the bag. It was full of clean clothes. "One moment I gazed in blank astonishment. The next I JerKed every article out. Shirts, drawers, pocketliandkcreliiefo and socks. That was all. Some one had taken my bag fur theirs. Leaving the clothes there, I sprang down the stairs. I had just sense enough left to force the frightened expression from my face and try to speak calmly as I addressed tho clerk,for there wero soveral persons in the oflice. '"This is not inv carpet-bag, Joe. Mine is like it, but this is a newer one.'

f[ot

I said, 'we had betters** the

tmrbaps we can hear of him

Through them. At least they will know his usual haunts.' A few moments walk brought us to an office, where we saw the bead of the force. We tnad« no unnecessary wmmunications. We wanted to see Burke: there might be trouble, and wo desired aid stationed where we could mil upon it if there waa Joe waa altogether opM*d to thia line oI proceeding*. He w» sure Burke had taken the bag with a knowledge of Ita content*, and would have told the storv and called in the poliesjbut I insisted oofc.

P9 fhi

We were advised where we would be sure Vo And blm, or to hear of him If not thevts with the addition tint he waa bard up, was drinking much, and when thia waa theoaae waa vary desperate and reckless. *»Tbls Infbrfliaflon lightened my load attttle, for I did not take Joe* vWwof the oeae. I argued if he was drinking, as they represented, bo would not oaie to put oo clean clothes and as there waa

I" fr

r,

Iff-*

nothing but clean clothes in hia bag. might not seek to open it. This was my only hope. Ruin utterly atared tne in the face. I had made up my mind I would never return to if I did not recover the money. ••Leaving the police office, we were hastening to the place where we were told waa liia haunt. As we returned to the corner came upon Jennie. She did n^t anvil# when she saw me her brow ww tfO®dy,and she looked angty. It tlasheI upon me in a moment that site hsd been waiting for me to attend her to church. 'Mr. Ijayton,' ahe said, ooldly then raising her eyes to my face, khe quickly drew her hand from ner muff and laid it on my arm, exolalming, 'What is the matter,*Frank?'

I told her. Joe had walked ahead. 8he would not detain me, but turned l»ck and walked with me. She knew my business and what I had come to for. A look «f distress came In her evw, and her face clouded aa she heard. Joe was waiting at the corner, and she parted with me before we got there but she gave me such words of hope and encouragement ore she retraced her steps that I felt no matter how this misfortune turned out, she would be the same.

It waa a quiet-looking house that we approached. I knocked at the door. It was cautiously opened by a middle-aged man. In answer to my inquiry, if Burke was there—we were friends, who desired to see him on urgent business, ho said he did not know, half closed tho door, and held it while he closely scrutinized us.

I insisted upon entering to see, and made a step forward to enforce my words. With 'No you don't,' he was about to close the door in my faco.wben somo one within told him to 'Hold on,' and a well-dressed, good-looking man of about thirty made his appearance. He glanced koenly at me then, seeing Joe, addressed him cordially. The old man, who held the door, said: «Thoy want to come in to seo Billy Burke.' •"Yon can enter if you please, gentlemen.' said the new-comer, stepping aside -bat Burke is not hero. He was sent for this morning, and has gone to tho country tut will bs back to-night. lUlly had some trouble hero last night, and the old man thought you might not mean him fair.'

I asked, but ho said ho did not know in what direction Burke had gone. He would certainly be there that evening, and he invited us to return. He had leit only about an hour previous.

Wo turned away utterly foiled. What to do next I did not know. It was hardly possible the day would pass wiibout Burke's opening the bag, if, as Joe insisted, he did not already know Its contents. As wo walked back to the hotel I wont over it all in my mind. Could Joe be right If so, I should put it directly in the hands of tho police, and to this 1 had a strange repugnance. Burke had been at the gambling-house all night had been summoned from there early in the morning had called befcre breakfast for the bag. IIo must then havo returned there, according to tho man's account of when he left. Had Dawson been the person who summoned him I was revolving all this when we readied the hotel door, and I went in to the bar to see it Dawson was still there. As I reached tho door a servrnt catne through with a note in his hand. 'This was just left for yeu, Mr. Layton. The lady wanted to see you sho went out the ladies' entrance a moment ago.'

It was was from Jennie. I rushed around tho corner, saw her tiguro going down the street, ran after her, and called. She stopped and turned. I was up to her in a moment. 'O 1 Frank, just think I saw him, and ho had the bag!' "'Saw him! Who? What?' My bag?" I said, glancing at the note in tny hand, which 1 bad opened, but not lead.' 'I will tell you. I was in tho church thinking of your trouble, and could not attend to the sorvieo. There is a vacant lot next the church, then a livery stable. I sat by one of the side windows, and was gazing listlessly out, when two men walkod quickly up to tho stable door. They spoke to a man there, who went in, and in a few minutes a lK»y led out a sleigh, and tho two men got iu and dtoro oir. Ono of them was a good-looking man with good clotlios on, that looked tumbled, as though he had boen sleeping in them, and his linen was not clean. This man carried a carpet-bag, like the ono you threw in the rack on the cars, and he set it in the bottom of the sleigh when he got in. I could not keep my sent. I aroso and came out of church—I was so convinced tho man I saw was the one you were searching for. Wnen I

to the church door, the boy who hsd ed Out and held the horso was passing. I stepped up alongsldo of him and arfced MVlio was the man who got in toe alelgh—the one who gave you that money Ho had the half dollar in his hand. "•Why, Billy Burke, the gambler. Thev say he is a dreadful fellow, and it is easy come, easy go with his money, and he's not particular bow it's got, either. Ho is a gentleman, anyhow. This is the first Christmas gift 1 havo had vet." l'lcrf» Ui another.' I doubled Ids half, at the same time asking: 'Where was he going 'To see his mother, I beard him tell the boss, and the other man said she wa* like to die.' •"Where doea she live?' 'At 11 sixteen miles off.' 'I left blm as soon as I heard that and came here.' She stopped her quick, eager, excited narration wiUi a guab. I wauled to throw my arms around her and hug her right there In the street, and why I did not I do not know. Mv eyea must have spoken my wlshee, for she drew l«ack from me and said, taking out her pocket handkerchief, which she held to bcr IWce, 'You know I would do anything for you. you were such a friend of "poor Alljert**.'

When Joa beard this he first ordered something to oat, then his 'lather's best horses to be put to a sleigh. 'I kuow the road as well aa I do these stroeta,* he said.

I oould not eat, and while be satisfied his appetite 1 walked the floor in a tumult of feeling. I believe every minute of that day impressed upon tne, and to I owe most of "It was a little a we reached the village. Joe'a whole soul was in the matter. He said Burke had tricked blm and be was determined to be even with blm.

these gr»y hairs,

after 3 o'clock when

He drove without stopping. driving would have been fast enough lor me. On Inquiry we found that Mrs. Burke lived about a mile distant. We bad to turn off the turnpike Into road whieh divetged aha**,, dJfrtanee frpn* the village.

v-,

*It look us but a little while to the boose. A small frame dwelling, in a bleak and lonely spot st the foot of a hill, whieh seemed almost buried In anew. We could track a vehioteail the wsy to the door. I became terribly excited as we neared the bouse, for I exported a ronooanter. Before the sleigh stopped I jumped out, and striding tm the door knocked loudly, forgetting that sick new, perhaps death, waa within.

The door waa opened by a very respectable old woman. I asked for Mr. Burke.' 'He is not beret He has gone.' 'I mean Mr. Billy Burke. Wo were told he bad oorne to see his mother, who waa sick.'

I said thia almost savagely. 'So he oome, but ne bas gone. She was like to die, and we sent for him. He cam« this morning, bnt she took a turn, aed la better, lie said it would kill him to stay here, and he went two hours ago. But be will be back to-morrow.' 1 suunhjed back into the sleigh. I cah tell very little about that ride back. I only know the alternations of feeling I went through that day aud uight utade me ten years older. He bad the money, and bis business at was to stake it at the gaming-table. That was my fixed idea. It was after uight wbou we drove into town. We had talked but little. When the sleigh stopped I looked up and saw wo were before the livery stable that" Jennie had described as being near the church. A man came out at Joe's hallo. "'Has Burke got back •"Yes.' "'Do you know where I can find him?" '"No reckon he is somewhore losing his own mouey, or winning some one's?

Joe drove on to the hotel. "•I will visit every• gambling-house in the town this night, out 1 will find him,' I said. *1 will pursue biui to the death.' I waa dos]erate and reckless: I ground my teeth when I thought of him squandering that, the loss of which would ruin me. I felt that my business character was at stake. This misfortune might be put down to carelessness, ignorance, want of forethought. Some might even sav 1 was a thief, and all owing to that detestable bag.' 'I am bound to see you through this,' was Joe's remark as wo stepped upon the pavement, and ho throw the reins to tho hostler. 'Wait a moment until I get my barker.' He ran in, and came out with two revolvers, one of which he banded me. •"We strode through the streets almost in silence. It was gay and bright outdoors. Sleighs passoa and repassed with jingling bells. There was music, and lights gleaming on tho snow, aud merry pnrtios jostling each other in the thoroughfares. 'The man who objected to our entering the heuse in the morning adtui^ ted us readily enough now. We passed through a narrow nail, dlmlv lighted, and mounting the stairs came into a hall bright »nd warm. A man stood at a green baize door, who threw it open at our approach. "'It introduced us into a room that was largo and brilliantly lighted. There wore some eighteen or twenty men in it, most of thom at play. Our entrance was little noticed. As we crossed the threshold Joe took the load, for I had never seen the man Burke whom we were seeking. We paused ineide the door a moment ana glanced around. Then Jon walked straight up to a table at which there were several men, ono of

whom

s'ood with a short stick or rulor

in his hand, tfhich rested on the table, and on this ho leaned, with his hands clasped, watching the game. 'Mr. Burke'—the man turned at tho sound of his name and the tap on his shoulder—'you got a oarpet-bag from me this morning, and by mistake took one that was not j'ours. I wish to have the bag back.' "•The gambler rnised himself, and, turning round, stood erect, lie was unshaven, uncombed, wore soiled linen without a collar, and his face was bloated, and dark and ugly in its expnssion. ••'Carpet-bag,'he said, 'I had a thing the old woman sent down with niy clean clothe.s in. It is not fit for a gentleman to carry. If you want that you can havo it. I tossed it out at JetTs. and told him to keep it until I came back that way. '"I felt like springing at hiin, but Joe tr«l on n\y foot, and I caught his eye as ho turned around to go. By this time every one In the room was looking at us, 'attracted by Burke's voice, which was loud, insolent, and aggressive. "With a'good evenin',' Joe reached tho door. I was In front. I turned my head as it closed on hitn, and saw the man Dawson speaking eagerly to Burke.

We were not long in reaching the street. There was a policemen not ten steps from the door. Joe knew him. •Don't let them follow us,' he said, as we went by him. We wero not three doors off when we heard loud talking and scuttling at the house we had left. We dartod up an alley and run for life. Out of bteath wo reached the stables of the hotel, and ordered horses instantly In that sleigh. While they were harnessing them we rushed In for overcoats and wraps.

You were right, be has not opeaed tho bag,' Joe gaspau. 'It is at Jeff's.' "•How far?' •Ten milea.' 'Did you see Dawson "'Yes, we shall havo a rido for it. They will try toget there before us. We havo not seen the end of It yet.'

We went back to the stable©, the horses wero not yet ready. We walked impatiently to the far end of the alley planning. As wo turned to come back, a small sleigh with two men In It cut bv the opening at a break-npc^ pace 1 grasped Joe's arm. 'Burke and D*w»n

'U

r*They

4 4

"•Yes, and they havo John Harts mare, the lH*t trotter In the wuntrv.' Wo ran to the stable. Joe buckled

the last strap, aud we were in and off at apace which made the people stop and look aa wo pasaad, thinking that we were run away with.

Soon on the tnrnpfkf w® kept up our twee. 'We have two boras* to their one,' said Joe, and he gave them the whip. •But our* are not as fresh. I believe I can trick tbem yet unleastbey are up to the same thing. There Is a country road about three miles out thatahortens the distance two mi lea. They have been nick at it I wonder how they got "art's mareT knew Dawson was not hanging around (or nothing. He has found out sil about vou. and knows there waa monev in tliat bag.' 'lie did not spare the whip.' 1 hear the bellsrof a sleigh ahead,' I mid presently. 'There Is no use in theae tell-Ul" things. Ktop a moment.' I lumped out and tore the bolls off the horse* and threw tbem by the wayside.

This delayed us a little, but directly we heard tbe'balls again. 'There they go,' said Joe. 'We will know la a few momenta if they take the turn.'

We flew along notaeleaaly. They were Just before us a few momenta, and we bad them in sight. Two or three lengths more and Joe turned hia borsea Into a mad they bad passed, and In a few minutes the sound of their bells came to us from a distance. This way had been but little traveled, and was heavy. It wax bitter cold, and although than waa no moon, it waa light on the turnpike, but here the road waa narrow Mid aim, for It ran through a wood*.

The horses stumbled and pitched, and Joe whipped. My excitement became intense, oould hardly keep In the aletgh. On we went.

As we emerged from the otKUlt road Into the turnpike «galn, Joe

mtry •did,

«'iy *7

--O

:r

'we have but a half mile now, and thev are behind us.' I arose to ray ftoct, Sr:i

itched violently forward, and cut my forehead ou the front of the sleigh, dashed the blood from inyey&a With my hand, and hold on, listening to 'Jiear them. "The half mile was passod Iiko wind, and, with the horses pantingUko pursued hares, and flecked with foam, we drew up at the little inn. Tho bouse was dark, no ono seemed to hear us. It was about 1 o'clock. I sprang out, ran up the wooden stops or the porch In front of the house, and had raised mv hand to knocK at the door wbeu adarU object lying on the little bench which ran round the porch caught my eye. I sprang toward it. It was the cafnet-bag, safe and sound, apiece of pink twine 1 had twisted around the hasp, showing it had not been opened. 'I have It! I have it I called aloud to Joe, as I sped down the steps and iuto the sleigh, hugging it closely. "'Bequiet!' he said sharply. 'Thev are comlrg.' It seemed as'though 1 could realise no danger with the bag in mv possession.

It was nearly ten o'clock when 1 awoke the next morning. I was soon out of my room and down stairs,searching for a messenger to take a note to Jennie, who had saved me by the Information she had given of Burke. I mado an appointment with her after bank hours, and then sought .loo, who wus in the stable at work over the horses, who were very much the worse for their yesterday's exertions. Nothing had as yet been heard from Burko and Dawson.

It was not many minutes ere I was, hag In hand, on my-way to the bank. I havo never had a more satisfied moment in my life tlmn that in which I laid my packages on tho counter there and began to count my specie. .Something of our adventure began to bo whispered about. I was questioned, bwt salu little. Humors reached tho city that there had been some sort of an encounter the night previous on tho road. Theso resolved themselves into stories of a midnight attack, a highway robbery, a broken vehicle, and a dead horse. Soon these began to take proper shape. It was Hart's mare that Burko had seized as It stood liarncsssd to a sleigh at the livcry-stablo door. Hart was in a stato of frenzy. Tho truth came out at last. The maro was dead, tho sleigh shattered to pieces, and Burke and Dawson gone.

The whole sporting world was in tumult. Men stood iu groups talking of it, ami piled mo with all sorts of questions as soon as appeared on tho nlreet. I gave thom but little satisfaction. for I desired no notoriety of that kind.

The first thing I did after reatdiinjc my room at the hotel was to lock my door, take my knife and cut that carpetbag into strips, which I thrust in tho grate. No savago ever enjoyed the tortures of his victim more than I did seeing thowo strips burn."

Frank had tecomo excited during tho latter part of bis narrative, aud had risen and stood ujon the hearthrug with his back to tho fire, his hand* liehind. him. There waa a suppressed quiver in his frame, and a muscular twitching at tbe corners of his mouth.

His cousins had listened without a word. Mary said, "What of tho widow, Frank?"

A shade pa*«ed over his face. Ho took bis pipe from the mantel-shelf, a match from the box, lighted it, and gave several puffs before bo answered. 1 went to mk Jennie that afternoon. My gratitude partook almost of adoration. I coald have worshiped ber. She looked no handsome and Was so seductive and fascinating, a* she listened with eager interest to my narrative, now sitting with ber bands clasped in her lap, and ber rose-bud mouth half opeu. Then, as I ended, lumping up, clapping ber hands, and, In fmnulaivo excitement, almost throwing her arras abeut tn« one minute, to retreat tbe next, and la blushing confusion informing me 'sbo took such an Interest tn me for poor Albert's sake.'

I left her that night, feeling I did not eare to go through life without her. There was uo engagement. Sbo only half responded to my ardent declaraUona—lndeed, one moment would laugh at mo and the next give me such a look, while ahe tapped my arm with ber pretty finger.

I left the next morning at early dawn. I wrote to ber, of courso, and she aoswered with letters exactly like

"s

were" comTng—wero near. 1

could bear the balls plainly. Wed id not titop to listen, and I had scarcely regained my soat ere the hones were off up tho road at the same furious pace. The road from Jeff's was for more than a mile perfectly straight, and aa. soon as they rounded the turn near the bouse \ve would be In sight.

Suddenly the noise of the belli stooped, the night was still,' and In the alsolate silence sounds could be beard a longdistance. "•They have reached the house,' said Joo and he laid on the whip, and tho horses bounded on. Presently wo came to another ono of those side roads. 'I will try it,'Joe remarked. 'After a detour it orings us again into the turnpike like the other we took. They mayhead us, though, if Jeff, tells them how'.' "We talked little. I saw Joe was anxious. I grasped my revolver, and determined 1 would only give up that bag with my life. '•The moon was rlsiqgt and things looked weird in tho fhint light as wo dashed through the woods. The snow clung to the horses' hoofe and impeded them/but Joe had no mercy. Ho did not allow them to falter for a moment. The foam flow from their bits. Tho country was so still it seemed llko a vast grave. But was it? Yes there was tho Jingling of bells. 'Jeff has told them,' said Joe, 'they have taken tho road to Bryant's .Station, and will head us.'

He stood up and "lashed tho liorsen for ten minutes. Neither of us spoke. Then we came out into the pike again, and heard tho Inillsas though they wero bv our side. Five minutes more, and wo saw them. They were emerging from an opening a little ahead of us.' 'Too late,' Joe muttered.

At that moment they saw us. Dawson was driving. Asweeanio iu view, Burko with an oath called to us to stop. Joo took no heed, and a pistol-ball follewod tho words. I had braced the bag between my knees and stood up as Burko's shot went crashing through tho back our sleigh. I drew tho trigger of my revolvor, which I had pointed at tho white spot on the mare's breast. Thero was an awful plunging, crashing, and dashing, followed by other shots, in tho midst of which our frightened linrses tore down tho road at a speed which rendered useless all attempts to control them. There were no obstructions so thev kept tho middle of tho turnpike, until through sheer exhaustion they subsided, and brought us Into about half-past two in the morning.

The first thing was to put that bag in safety. Then Joe and 1 sat d« to a hot supper, at which wo talked »r tho events of tho day. Joe was jubilant, as woll lie might be, over his share in tho adventure. I nover was more quiet in my life. The sense of relief was too great after all I had suffered to permit of any boisterous outbreak of joy.