Halsey Co. | Page 7

the Stock Exchange. Like a flash they saw a man and boy come tumbling down upon them from the gallery. There was a party of four brokers grouped together immediately under them, and, as a matter of gravitation, they landed on top of them--on their heads and shoulders. Hats were crushed and a confused mass of humanity scrambled about on the floor. The yelling ceased when the shrill screams from the gallery were heard, and brokers ran forward to help those who had fallen. The pickpocket struck out desperately, trying to shake off Fred. In doing so he hit Broker Bryant in the face. Bryant was a hard hitter himself, and instantly returned the blow--a half dozen or more.
"Blast you, take that!" he hissed, and he gave him lightning-like blows till he sank down on the floor unconscious.
"Won't somebody hold him?" Fred cried out. "He's a pickpocket!"
"Who is he?" somebody asked Bryant.
"I don't know and don't care," was the blunt reply. "He hit me in the face after tumbling down on my head."
By this time the policeman on duty at the Stock Exchange pushed his way through the crowd of brokers and called out:
"What is it? What's the trouble here?" and he looked at the pickpocket, who was slowly pulling himself together.
"This man is a pickpocket," said Fred. "He took those ladies' purses up there, and when I caught him at it he tried to throw me over the gallery. He did throw me, but I brought him down with me."
"Good--good!" cried a broker. "Three cheers for the kid!"
The brokers cheered and then laughed.
"I am no pickpocket," exclaimed the thief, as soon as he saw the officer had him. "The boy lies. I merely---"
"Officer, search him!" cried the elder of the two ladies up in the gallery. "He has my purse and that of my daughter."
"Yes, search him! Search him!" called out a dozen at once.
Brokers held him and the officer searched him. He found the two purses or pocketbooks in his pockets.
"That one is mine!" cried the elderly woman.
"What does it contain, madam?" the officer asked.
"Money and two diamond rings. You can open it and see for yourself."
It was opened and her claim verified.
"Madam, you will have to appear against this man," said the officer, looking up at the elderly lady, and he led the prisoner out of the Stock Exchange and into one of the many offices of the building.
The lady, accompanied by her husband and daughter, appeared in the room and claimed her property. The young girl, who seemed to be about sixteen years old, turned to Fred and said:
"We are indebted to you for recovering our purses. I hope you were not hurt by the fall?"
"Only a little bit," he replied.
"I'm so sorry!"
"Oh, it's nothing," and he laughed. "It was fun to jerk him over with me."
Then she laughed, too, and Fred thought hers the sweetest face he had ever seen in all his life.
"What is your name?" she asked him.
"Fred Halsey."
"My name is Eva Gaines. I want to remember your name, for I never had such a fright in all my life."
"I'll be sure to remember yours," Fred remarked.
"Why will you? Because you were hurt?"
Fred looked around and saw that everybody also in the room was listening to the claiming of the two purses, so he went close up to her and said in a half whisper:
"Because you are the most beautiful girl I ever saw."
"Oh, my!" and her face flushed and eyes sparkled.
Young as she was, she was woman enough to know that it was honest admiration on the part of the youth. Fred seemed half frightened over what he had said and drew back. But she gave him a look and a smile that told him plainly he had not offended. He was going to say more to her, but at that moment her father turned to her, saying:
"Here, daughter, your purse is yours again," and he held it out to her.
She took it, opened it quickly and glanced at its contents.
"Young man," said Mr. Gaines, turning to Fred, "you've got the right stuff in you," and he extended his hand, which Fred grasped and shook. "I won't forget you. I have a brother who is a member of the Stock Exchange, and I want send your name to him. What is it?"
"I have his name, father," said the young girl.
"Ah, very well, then," and he gave Fred's hand another shake and turned away.
But he left a $20 gold coin in it, which Fred's fingers closed over very promptly. The next moment they were gone. Fred put the goldpiece in his pocket, while the thought flashed through his mind that the young girl was all gold herself. The officer took his name and address as a witness, and then led his prisoner away