CRIPPLE FRED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 51

CRIPPLE FRED.

Bt Mtjbbat Aston.

Chapter lll.— The Dog-stealeb. The return of Fred and Sammy to Fuller's Hants in charge of the police sergeant, whose instructions from the inspector to see the lads safe home in a cab were carried oat to the letter, caused a considerable stir even in their own densely-crowded neighbourhood,and the comments from several bystanders betokened great interest. Among those present when the vehicle drew up at Fuller's Bents was a thick-set man of a somewhat sinister aspect, which was heightened by his wearing a catekin cap of unusual form. He took particular notice of the boys, and on caching sight of Tiny he could not restrain a cry of both surprise and pleasure. "My word," he muttered, " why there's the very bidentioal leatle flawg wot 'er lldyship paid me five quid fur when I found the leetle orittur in Eaton Square. I ain't forgot them goldinga suvrings neHber--they did me a lot o' good, they did. Why, one o' the things I bort wiv era was thia era ole 'at." And he removed his headgear and turned it over reflectively and admiringly as he pondered. Then, calling to an ugly bull terrier that was watching him from a respectful distance, he directed his steps to an adjacent beer shop, where he proceeded to make some inquiries as to Cripple Fred and Tiny. The information be gained was evidently satisfactory, sine* the man, who followed the oalling of a dog-Btealer, chuckled loudly and ordered an extra pint of beer for bis informant, who was the potman — that is, a man wbo delivers beer at the houses of customers who order and can afford to pay for it— a oustom practised in the old country much in the same way that bread and meat are delivered by tradesmen here in tho colonies. • " See here, S»vipe3," be eaid to his friend, "I've just seed a hold frend o^jnine-a tiny tarrier dawg— a tale topper." •' Ah," returned Swipe*, " I fexpex, Billy, yon mean a 'avin' of a nearer look at 'iin ugin 1 " " That air so, an' before very lo&g, I'm a thiukin'," replied Billy. Then |he proceeded to fumble in the inside pocket of his shooting jacket, and presently produced a dirty piece of newspaper, from which he took a small piece of a davk brown substance, and-havirig inhaled a long sniff at it exclaimed: " It's as sweet as a nut, Swipes ; no mortial dawg oould resist bit." 11 Wot's that, Bill, you're so sweet on 1 " ' « Wot 1 don'tcherknow 1 It's baked liver," eaid the dogstealer. . " Baktd liver 1 " repeated Swipes. " I never 'card tell on it aforo." " Well, Ball .1 cae say his you're a' simple hignoramus," said I ill. ll Fancy, never 'card tell on baked liver I " and Bill indulged in a loud guffaw indicative of the utmost comtempt for the ignorance of his friend. Then, fearing that he had said too much to him, he proceeded fo explain that "No dawg, owsumdever well fed; can resist a bit o' baked liver —a calf's if yer can git it. I chucks 'im a bit ; 'c snaps hit up ; I snaps 'im up. In 'c goes 'ere," pointing to his great inner pockek "Off I goeß wiv 'im— five quid reward an' the trix done." And then the conspirators separated, Swipes returning to his usual occupation when not on his rounds of polishing the pewter pots, and Bill proceeding to lounge outside Fullei's Rents in the hope that Fred and Tiny might reappear on the scene. In the meantime Cripple Fred had related his adventures to his admiring family, who would probably, have doubted his veracity had not Simmy been present to vouch for every word, and the production of his halfcrown was proof positive if corroborative evidence had been needed, and formed a welcome addition to their slender store of money. The dog, however, was welcomed in a half hearted sort of way, since their room was quite orowded enough already; but it was felt by all that the present of a titled lady could not be' lightly regarded, and leave was given for Tiny to remain, although both father and mother would xattch rather have been in possession of five shillings than keep a dog, however valuable. Presently Sammy made his way to his home, and abont 7 p.m. Fred tore downstairs,for the purpose, in the first place, of a walk in the fresh air, for it was a lovely summer's night, but more especially to exhibit his treasure to bis many friends. - His arrival in the street with the dog in his Brms Was the occasion of an enthusiastic greeting from a number of boys and girls who were hanging about on the chance of seeing Tiny once more, and hearing all about him from Fred ; and Hairycap Bill, the dogBtealer, was delighted also, and followed closely on the footsteps of the cripple, ready ■at the first opportunity to steal the little animal, who, as the reader know?, bad already" been through Bill's hands on a former occasion, and therefore they were not ' strangers, which rendered Bill's nefarious woi k much easier. He 'had to wait some i time, however, for at first Fred hugged the little animal tightly in his arms, and it was only when he had reached the most respectable part of Holborn that he carefully placed his treasure on the ground and led him by the chain,' looking backward every bow and then to assure himself of the little creature's well-being. At length he became less careful, and presently, when he bad been delayed for a minute or two by a dense crowd caused by ■two horses having fallen on the greasy asphalt pavement, he-found when moving on again that there was no Tesponsive tug to the chain, and on looking to see the cause he saw to his horror that his pet had disappeared. The cause was quickly told him by a friendly lad, who said he had seen* a man, who wore a skin cap, give Tiny some food, toon BQBoofc the ohain from bis collar, place

the dog In his coat pocket, and move swiftly away*

£%O le conclude^