The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-12-05


everywhere. with the slight exception Of be
ing startled by the sudden appearance Of the
bank cat from the cavernous depths of the
enormous cOal-cellar. Eventually | returned
to my room and found q succulent chop
smoking upon the table, tlanked by a pewter
pot OF foaming stout which, on tasting.
found unusually soit and crsamy-indetd d, ]
iancled could detect n peculiar aroma in the
grateful beverage, which seemed to make it
more than ordinarily palatable; anyhow, l
| thoroughly enjoyed the Icpast, and when an
intensely sluMberons sensation crept through
! all my veins. my strongest effort of will prov
ed insufficient to keep me awake. While I
was still struggling against The impulse,
| Lance came to inform me that he WAS gOin q
| out to dine at his home close by, while Ben
nett was left on guard below. AS he closed
the door benin . him, my eyes shut, AID fell
asleep, but only in few moments 10 be re-
| awakened hy his voice again addressing me:
| 81 don't think I'll 90 out to dinner, sir"
! SAID he. gazing at me with strange expires
| sion.
why not?" quoth ], drowsily.
Well, sir, l don't feel very bright today
I'd rather stop indoors; and if you'd re 20
| sind as rot 10 mention to Bennett as I've
come back But you don't look yery well
yoursel!, sir, just now?"
Lance, that stout has made me most con
foundcdly sleepyI"
We'll nave bit Of nap, sir. I'll see the
place is all right-only don't want Bennett
TO know Ia here"
'Ail right replied, rather shortly, for
wanted TO be left to myself; yet was some
wat supried at his Wish for cuucealnent in
Sc trivial matter.
Again saw tue man pass out and partly
close the door, and once more drifled into
heavy but pleasant slumber Soon | was
denizen OF dreamland, aid sharer in its
grOtesQue and fantastic inagipipgs. I
thought was clnging to the telegraph wires
that stretch Ike webs over London, and per-
forming thtreo athletic feats in impossible
positions; then flew through the air toward
my home Ut Wood Gre en-, spinning rs | went
Thread of wire by which to return-a use
iess preraution, as was af once Transported
10 nc Desert OF Sahara, where f0und myself
on Gamers back careering across thu burn
ing PAIN But IN my dreams The face of the
camel was the face OF the tx policeman Lance.
and ever aud anon strange grating noises
seemed to be borne past us on the wind. The
pace began TO slacken; and. as spurred on
my steed to fresh exertiOns, / seemed to fc Il
The prick OF the rowels in my own flesh il
became sharper and more painful and gradu-
ally camel, desert, chas, faded from my
vision, and the bank once again dawned on
my awakening senses. But, though nv
aerial stced III d his surroundings had all dis
appeared. the spur unaccuuntably enough re.
manned, as my neither limbs were painfull,
reminding me.
1t was uo dream this timc-I was wide
awake. Quickly glancing round, discover
ed Lance crouchiDg down beside nv chair.
and vigorously applying pin 10 the calf OF
my leg. 10 this proceeding | was about to
enter an indignant protest, when a significant
gesture warned me TO remain mute. His
face was white with unwODted excitement. as
he rose moi cessly TO his feet and beckoning
me 10 small aperture in the wall used for
Inc transmission u books and Dapers be weer
manager aud clerks, babe me look upon
spectacle that made each i"dividual hair upon
my head TO stand erect The drawer contain
ing the stamps and gold was being hammered
WI before my very eyes in broad daylight
stooping down with hls back toward us was
man softly but swiftly forcing the lock with
chlsel. But the man-the thicf-whO WIT
ne! knew at u glance that long, lean form
II was Bennett. We both shrank hack.
Take OF your boots. sir" he " his pered, in
a low Voice. noticed that his own f., were
shoelcss. Creep round outside the counter
ard wait till give the word-then over and
help me.
i nodded assent; and then | saw Lance
crawl out upon his hands and knees into the
Office behind the shelter Of a long hiyh desk
at The end Of which he would be within a few
feet OF Bennett. crept away 10 The other
entrance OF the managers room, which led
into a large space appropriated Il. the public.
knew i must he opposite The thief st Iii.
work. Click, click, went the chisel ayaDs,
the brass lock. IL was apparently Il work OF
tine and difficulty. tn ugh he sound OF crush
ing woodwork betukened the near Accomp
lishment Of the deed How long the time
seemed. Had Lance been able 10 get close
To him undiscovered,
judged so as the chisel still continued i,s
grating work. So geiimcs it stoned for a
moment, and hen knew that the man WAS
watching the door OF the mansgrr's room 10
see that was safe und r the influence OF the
narcotic administered in my pint OF stout
Click. click, crunch, AMI the 3 hole lock AZ.
peared to come away. the drawer being ut the
same time crawn softly open.
Now" thought /. here goes"
Not yet! could hear The mellow cA.nk OF
the small nays Of gold as they were hurriedly
transferred 10 The msn's pockets: then the
.iln rustic Of many sheets al stamps told OF q
Ike destination. lisient d brenihlcssI,. Sud
denly there was yell Of mingled fright and
rage. and vsui ing at one houfd across the
counter. saw Bennett falling backward. his
throat ciuiched by tie practiced hand OF the
expolicenan. who held on W tn will, hav.
ing fprsing upon him riieDily from behind
The iSf sirangicd man struggled like a ti-nd
dealing me several u sly kicks with his long
legs - attacked him from The front But
The odds were too many, sn.. furthermore h-
- 'S"Sh ~ 'uf pitrf iu II lew IHDfnSuI9 lie
Wa overpo~ered, and his hands and T. ct were
securely fastened. Not word had been ut.
tered since the commencement Of he cor, ficf
hut nov Lance looked up AID said In q stern
voice:
tot the scoundrel at last-next things 4
pleacemau. Will you w. sir. or shall ~
ner. there was fierce attempt 70 free him.
self by the PROSTATE thief
Perhaps Ia better stop with him." contin.
ueC L4rce. "TClsfH UT g FL, IL. fr. 49,,
ute ri the station In Old jury"
selziHg nv hat WAS I. # In a .winkl;ng.
and returned in double quick time TO The
bank. accom- panied Nv a sissl ~srt men,oer Of
the itv police A few moments say the DO
iceman. ys~if, ard our chopfail-n prisoner
marching quietly 10 the station, where |
made tn fhsrye. and left him 70 he solitude
Of = c-il TIL Monday morning. On my return
IN tie bark the Sigh. wasebm an had zrriy
ed and prepared to 20 home.
Why, Lance, You mist have suspected
the t-gxzr b-forr 1hisl' -xcssi. sed
I've thought Is sometimes. sir.r he laugh
60 knew should c"p him some dr.
Then, win . frosu. .'Hesn. snesking scamp,
! hssi-ve he meant N try 70 put i; on to me or
the ~atchmsn here
Well, ATS we'll that ends well. Lance and
IT ~ss "A sl-v-r CATCH of your.. We have
nice story ior Mr.. Spodorsh Tomorrow. Good
night
Goodnight. SIR
When ~sls-d into the hank NEXT morning
fcLnd .he story vas slready kaoxp. Ls,iI-
kGs.iS 8f men were eagerly 6fseu<siYssy stsr