The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-02-20

Insurer and banker-putting his head
out of the window but the sight Of the
revolver was enough for him.
$50, sir, you mean to rob me"
"No bandying, old fellow. Ihave no
time to lose. Out with that little blue
bag beside you, or take the conse.
quences."
Suppose I refuse, scoundrel."
"Perhaps You have no objection theI.
to al ounce Of lead. Come come, old
man, you and are men Of the world
We should know how to deal with each
other. You're rich, and I'm poor, very
poor. You have no hope to get away
alive il you refuse to deliver. Quick |!
quick before some stragglers upset my
little plan"
81 will give you half.
Chow much have you in those two
little bags beside You ?"
"a thousand pounds; five hundred in
each"
"All right, old chap. Hand out one
Of them, and away you CO."
The old banker handed out the bag re.
luctantly, saying, 81 will yet see you safe
within the dock, sir"
"Don't be too sure Of that, old man.
BY jove. Won are ulucky old fellow
after ALL" Putting his head very close
to the old bankers nose, he said, by way
Of parting salutatiOn-
Take a good look at me now, and try
TO remember the features Of the man
who robbed you. By, bye" and then
Immediately jumped inside the wall,
making for his home as quick as his
legs conld carry him, knowing that the
alarm would be all over the country as
soon ~ tho carriage could make the
nearest police station. Passing Il farm
crs honsc he threw the smoking cap in
side the palings, and in another hour
was safe and sound in bed.
Next day the whole country round rang
with thrilling accounts Of the daring
| robbery. The streets were alive in the
little town Of I'D. All business was
suspended. Little knots Of people were
scattered here and there discussing all
the circumstances. How the wealthy
old Jacob Grimes had been robbed when
about six miles from town last night,
with eight or nine hundred pounds in
specie for the bank at R---a, in the car
rage with him. The local newspapers
had leading articles on it. Placards were
posted on every available dead wall III
the locality. The police were on the
alert. All stragglers were held in Gus
tody.
George SomervilIe's thoughts were moi
the pleasantest IA he strollcd through
the streets, listening to the exaggc4icC
accounts Of his little adventure. "liov
lucky no one ever saw that cap with me
or those whskcrs," he muttered, emo
even my wife. No human eye eve
rested on them since the night Harr
Weldon threw them in my office allc
the theatrcals Mt Jackson's. Harry We
don is now at the Antipodes, and it
not likely anyone will remember n ca
he wore one night, twenty years ago.
On the following day the cxctcmcn
was at fever heat when tho news sprca
that the robbcr had been captured, an
the nstonishment of all was great whc
Farmer Browns son was marched i
custody to the police station. None wer
willing to believe him guilty. Beside
the money had not been found upo
him. But, then, old Grimes positlvcl
asserted that he was tho man VIII
robbed him. The cap he wore was
very remarkable one. 1t was found upo
young Brown, and was now III the hand
. Of the authorities. A richly got II
smoking-cap with gold band.
We find George Somerville sittn
, alone for the second time i'll his Office
J brooding.
"Funny affair altogether, by iove,
|, no circulated. al wonder how will
get tho unfortunate fellow ont of it. "
half mind to confess the whole thing.
Tap, tap, tap.
"COme in.
Enter Farmer Brown.
"Good morning, Mr.. Brown. Take
seat"
Good morning, Mr.. Somervile.
suppose You guess my business wit
you !"
81 was sorry TO hear Of your sons n
rest for this robbery. 1t must be ca'
of mistaken identity"
: "Ccrtainly. But at any rate, he mu
be defended, and / suppose can couI
o on You to do your best for him p
= "Of COURSE. What is the defence
u An alibi?'
y "Why yes. I believe so. He nevc
o left the house the evening the robber
t occurred"
/, 'But the cap-
ooh l forgot. He found the ca
next morning about twenty porches fron
the door, and foolishly wore it nil day
II must have been thrown there by TIN
real robbcr. The police, when search
ing around the place, found it with him
Hence the arrest, and now you have al
l know myself.
81 see, see. The case comes of n
the next assizes. In the meantime
will hunt up all the evidence can in his
behalf. Depend upon it no stone shall
be left unturncd."
"Thanks, good morning."
Tho expression of Georges face whel
the farmer left was study for an artist
There was n merry twinkle around hi
eye that would mako you laugh, if tn
| determined aspect Of the rest OF hi
, features hadn't held You in check. II
I never could look serious about the eyes
l They were made for fun. No matte
, how firmly tho lips compressed them
| selves. or the frown darkened on hi
: forehead the eyes refused point blank t
| join the general humor of the countc
} nance. They were always merrily twink
ling like two little stars, rs if the
scorned to be in earnest about anything
George was terribly in earnest now
The web was tbickening around him
Nothing short of some unheard Of cOu
dc main can save him. He was in
| lilammn Woull OH Grin,ou ,n,oc,;,