Jack the runaway; or, On the road with a circus

by Frank V. Webster

A reward of fifty dollars was offered by Professor Klopper for the arrest of the runaway, who was charged with the theft of a valuable gold cup. Jack was not very accurately described, for the professor was not aware how his ward was dressed, since Jack had taken several suits with him. Police and others, however, were advised to be on the lookout for a boy with a dress-suit case.

“I wish I didn’t have it,” thought Jack. “But there’s no help for it now. That’s the only thing they’ll recognize me by. But I’d better be getting out of here.”

He hurried past the police station, and, just as he came opposite the entrance, an officer rushed out. He collided with the boy, and, to save them both from falling, grabbed the lad.

“I’m caught,” thought Jack desperately. But it was merely an accident.

“I beg your pardon,” spoke the officer, as he released Jack. “I’m hurrying to stop a fight down the street. Word about it has just been telephoned in. I didn’t see you.”

“No, and you won’t again, if I can prevent it,” thought Jack, as he hastened on, glad that the excitement over the collision had caused the officer to pass on without taking a good look at him.

“I’ve got to get out of town as quickly as possible,” thought the startled lad. “This place isn’t safe for me. I wonder where I’d better go? I must get my suit case, and then see where I can get a ticket for.”

He went back to the depot, presented his check, and received his case. As he reached his hand in his pocket to get the ten cents, he was startled to find but a single coin there. It was a dime. He paid it to the man at the refreshment booth, and then, walking to one side, began a hurried search for the rest of his cash. It was gone!

“Some one either picked my pocket, or else it was jarred out when that policeman ran into me,” he said. “Lucky there was this ten cents left. Now I am up against it.”

What was he to do? With no money, how could he get out of the town where, doubtless, every officer was on the watch for him, anxious to earn the reward? It was a serious problem.