Luck and Pluck; or, John Oakley's Inheritance

by Jr. Horatio Alger

"But I didn't take it, ma'am," said poor Hannah, earnestly.

"If you don't," said Mrs. Oakley, sternly, "I will send for the constable, and have you arrested at once and carried to prison."

Hannah burst into a piteous howl, and declared that she never stole so much as a pin, and called the Virgin and all the saints to witness that she was innocent.

"Give up the paper you took," said Mrs. Oakley, "and you may keep twenty dollars of the money."

But Hannah again declared that she took nothing.

"Stop a minute," said Ben; "maybe we're all wrong. When I went out of the house I saw a very suspicious-looking man coming this way."

"What was his appearance?"

"He had black hair and whiskers," said Ben, glibly, "and was meanly dressed."

"Was he coming towards the house?"