Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-24
TIRE COBBLER'S STORY.


was hammeriag away, polishing of
new sole which had just fit to t
customers bo-t. was in great hurry
because had promised the boots at two
o'clock, and it was now full quarter
past. [ should not have minded that
but the gentleman said he should certain,
~ call for them at two. He was good
customer, and did not wish to dlsap.
point him.
II had finished one, and was nearly
through with the ether. looked up and
was glad to see that it was not the owner
of the boots, and l kept hammering all
the harder.
:The young mamie was young
man, not more than one-and rwenty-sat
about minute, Till he got his breath.
Then he spoke up, in savage, domi-
neering way:
"'Look here, old fellow, here's a little
job want you to attend to while wait;
an in hurry
II did not like his tone; and, raising
my eyes to his face, did not like his looks,
either. For all that, he was a handsome,
well-huilt fellow-a regular dandy, l
should say. What stsuck me particular
~ was that he was as pale as ghost.
"'Can't touch your job till 1 am
through with this. l shall be done in a
few minutes
times were dull, you see, and
thought would hold on to him, if l
could.
He swore big oath, which started
me 50 much that dropped the boot-in
fact, l may say it was as good as finished
and held out nv hand for his. He had
already pulled it off.
"'How long9' he demanded, sharply.
81 examined the boot, neat button
gaiter, almost new, best French leather,
tirst-class every way; in fact one OF
Stiles best-you know Stiles is first-elass
should say the pair must have cost
fourteen dollars, perhaps fourteen-6fty,
with the leather buttons, which are
extra. The strangest part of the whole
was, that the heel had been torn of, and
the sole ripped clear away to the center
an odd sort of job, wasn't it7
"'WeE,' exclaimed the man, savagely,
what are you waiting tor2 Why don't
you answer?'
"'Where il the heel2' asked.
"'In perdition,' he mutIered; and /
have half mind to send you there after
it."
~ was frightened. I had read so
many murder cases in the newspapers,
was afraid I was to make one of them.
He looked to me as if he would not think
twice before putting one Of my own
knives through me.
1T will take q good hour I said,
and can't make neat job at that
"'Will give you thirty minutes" he
answered, taking out his watch. 'BotCh
it any way you like, only make it strong.
Thirty minutes, mind"
81 went to work with all my might,
the young man cycling me every instant.
felt all the time as if he was pointing a
revolver at me.
"'Do you object if do this with a
pCgwork2' said when I came to the
heel; 1T will save good fifteen minutes
peg away he growled. Time al
most up
II managed to get the heel on some
sort of fashion. 1t didn't Look much like
its mate-ha ha, ha!-but he paid no at
tention TO that.
ION went the boot.
SHOW button it, he said.
II did so.
HE took glance at the street, then
he fumbled in his pocket, and pulling
out rCll Of bills, threw me five.
"'There you aren he exclaimed. will
be back one OF these days for the change.
80 saying, he darted off double. quick,
and, turning up the street, was out OF
sight before l could count three.
MY first thought was that he had
given me counterfeit note. But dis
covered, on examining it, that it was
genuine, and no mistake.
"' I am in luck to-day I thought
Five dollars for thirty minutes work =
ON looking little more carefully at
the bill, perceived on one corner a drop
of something red, which did not appear
to be exactly dry. No, l can't say it was
red, like red paint or vermilion; yes, il
scas red, thong more red thar
anything else. It looked SO fresh that
put my finger on the spot, just as one
might say, without thinking of anything
particular; yet was in a kind of puz
zle, too, considering it did look, as was
telling you, quite fresh. like.
"When / put my finger on the spot ane
took it off again, something stained it
something which well, can never for
get that to my dying day. l did no
know what to do, so called to my wifi
she was in the Mt xt room ana the doc
was open. SaysI:
rs wife, come here
"sWhat wanting2" says she, as sh
ran in.
whats that on my finger2' says
holding it up.
"'Blood,' says she. How did you Gu
yourself?'
ats somebody else that's cut, Ir
thinking and I told her all about it.
"'Go right away to the policer she ez
claimed.
".And get myself locked up for Lii
.as q witness2 That's the way they serV
you in New York. I'll wait first and sc
if the papers have anything to say abor
it.
"StraHge, Mr.. P don't come for b
boots,' said any wife. Il wonder if 70
could be mistaken about his calling f
,them?"
"'Perhaps he has forgotten it himseI
and is waiting at home for them; On
here it is three o'clock"
$50 saying, took the boots and star
ed fsT my customers house. I had
good way to go, but hurried as fast as
could, thinking all the time of the SD
on the greenback and the spot on my ii
ger, for never thought to wash it off.
II mounted the steps and rang t
bell.
"Tho door was opened SO quick that
aknr4lod ond 4hnro rkcod n.r,o