LIKE A FLOCK OF SHEEP

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 21 March 1907, Page 7

LIKE A FLOCK OF SHEEP

Taking down his hat from the rack, - Peter. Sands went to the desk to pay his bill. Incidentally he « glanced at his watch, and a moment afterward made a bolti for the dK>or, throwing it open aoiid runswjng down the street toward the station. Holding his hat firmly upon, his head, he put additional speed into his flying limbs. Several people turned to stare after him, wondering at the cause of Ms hurry, more dn- ■ terested 1 than ever when they observed the, man ""with the white apron who came out of the restaurant and tore after him. - "^ Seeing the flying man, and noticing that the tradesman following was in -a good way of -being outdistanced, several others took up the chase. Pretty . soon there was a ' rush behind Peter, .- but he: knew nothing cf it. The first thing he realised was that some one's I foot neatly tripped him up ; he rolled over in the mud, but jumped up •instantly and ' was off again. He had only gone half a block when the same, thing--' happened, to him a second time. But now•h'e was not allowed to rise ; violent hand's were laid on 'him. 'His hat roiled oat inito ithe gutter ; same one stepped on 'it and smashed it. - " Hotily angry, the man struggled to a sitting posture and looked about him*. A score of excited .faces greeted' him, and in his astonishment he forgot hasanger. - ' What's the matter ?.' he asked. ' Where's the "fire? 1 A policeman edged his. way through with some dif- < ficulty. r What's the matter ? ' he demanded. No one answered Mm. ' Who are you ? What's the matter with you ? ' asked the policeman of Sands. Just then the shriek of the locomotive was heard as it steamed out cf the station. • Sands began to dance up and down in a fury. • ' There goes my train ! ' he shouted, ' there goes my train ! ' ' - ' Can't any one tell me what's the matter ? ' asked the po^'icemani again. - - . ' lean,' howled Sands. ' Iwas running for .that train —the last train until six o'clock — and I have an appointment? in> the dlty at four. I was running f or v it; ,when a lot of you confounded, addle-pated, silly, foolish, pumpkinheaded ioshes - stepped on me. Where's 'the man tripped me up ? '■ he shouted, pulling off his coat and rolling up his shirt sileeves. ', ~"' m 1 Here now, here now,' warned the policeman, ' you can't talk live that here. Move on. Don't be disturbing the peace.'. ' Who .disturbed my^ peace ? ' demanded Sands. " Come on now — there's some reason for this idiocy. Isn't "there a man among you?' he implored ; ;c; c some one to stand up in front of me until I knock his brains out ? ' At that moment,, a round, fat fellow, still wearing - Ws white anron, anil very red in the face from his exertions, forced his way through the crowd. • - . c What has this fellow done ? ' demanded the policeman ; c state your complaint, and I'll run him in.' 1 Run him' in ! ' echoed the ej^entleman with the apron. ,c, c For what rrasnn wo'.iM «o-i " run in " monsieur ? ' ' Come now, no more fooling,' said ■ the - policeman, roughly. ' How much did he steal ? ' Thoroughly- nonplussed, the Frenchman bowed low be-fo-e c monsieur.' " - 1 I have to return to youHhe twenty-five dents change frota your- dollar piece,' he said politely. ■ You eat but seventy-five cents' worth. Allow me, monsieur ? ' Peter Sands stared- at the Frenchman, took the quarter, handled it a moment, and then returned it . with a bow as law as the Frenchman's own. 1 Permit me to return, it to monsieur for his splendid service,' he said. * And now will some one please give me my hat ? ' -_ . A man in the'crowd returned'it to tfim. • Holding it m his hands, he turned his face toward the station, -but tne crowd of listeners, now sympathisers, let Mm go mournfully. "