Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-06-03

our intention, and gone by another
route, when I became aware of the APP
proach of a solitary pedestrian. AS he
came nearer, l ran over the description
of the man / wanted-which l had
learned by heart-and at once conclu led
that this was the individual. He was a
tall, powerful, uncompromising- looking
fellow of about five and forty, muscular
enough to have lifted me up and thrown
me over the bridge into the shining
water beneath. commenced to walk
over the bridge as the man approached
it-passed him slowly, and felt sure it
was the man.
After going two or three yards, I
turned back. Hearing my step, the
purloiner of state documents turned
round.
"Well, mate, what is it ?"
"Can you oblige me with pipe of
'baccy?" I asked.
Con yes; )" handing me his pouch.
"What are you doing about here? You
don't look over-brisk. Broke?"
"Pretty nearly" I replied.
"New arrival, suppose?"
"Almost."
"Ah | there are too many carpet
Knights flooding Melbourne. Come out
expecting to make pile, got disap-
pointed, and don't like tc work for your
grub, Ell? Put screw of tobacco in
your pocket-you'll find it pleasant COM
pany on the road"
1 nearly emptied the pouch and
handed it back and, as the owner put
out his hand for it, I slipped my foot be-
hind his heel and pushed him. He
tripped and fell splendidly. was pref
ty quick in wrestling, and took hold Of
the mans throat with my left hand, put
my knees on his chest and with my
right hand felt in the breast-pocket Of
his coat. He struggled violently, but ]
thought I should succeed. I got my
hand on some papers; but, as I WIS
drawing them from the pocket, the
ruflian got hold of my right knee-car
with his left hand, and gave it such q ter.
rible wrench that 1 believed he had dis
located the joint. Then feeling my hold
relax, he suddenly hoisted himself with
his right hand, sprang up, caught hold Of
my wrists, and hurried me to the bridge
Holding me thus in an iron grip, anG
glaring fiercely at me, he said:
81 see your game there's only on,
: way of dealing with the police. Deai
men tell no tales ; so over you're going
youngster."
Suiting his action to the word he re-
leased my hands, and in the same in
slant grasped me firmly and hoisted me
My last chance seemed to lie in al
old twist 1 had learned at college. Al
the man raised me, placed my feet Oh
, the patchwork of the bridge, pushed
myself back with all my strength
jerked little forward, lowered my
head, and then fairly twisted under my
captor's arm from right to left. Ny
school experience had saved my life
for the man let go his hold with CRY
> of pain, and quick as thought sprans
' upon him.
Its all right, old fellow, take tn
papers and read them"
But in the mad excitement of the mo-
ment, and remembering my mission,
thought this surrender was only rus
y on the part of the rutfian. He sat dow
:, on the road in themost undignifed fash
ion and handed me the papers. The frs
:, one that met my gaze was headed piec
= Of police-office paper, on which wa
written : "This is your test for entering
. the force;" and was signed by the Super
y, intendent.
:. "Well, young man, said mine enemy
:. "you have passed the last m.--wit
honors, You have nearly broken m
:, wrist. But my horse is at the first road
-, side hotel. II you'll come with me II
y have drink with you, and get some col
lotion for this sprain. I believe it wi
-, be a case of splints and sick leave /; bu
i, you have done your work well. Bottle
y the arm-how it aches |" $50 did IN
knee.) ..
:, The report was satisfactory, and I wa
IA appointed permanently. Mr.. Superin
tendent's test caused me to be sent o
=, various duties which led me into man
~ :ough experiences; but never believe
myself to be so near death as when I We
u deciding my future with my superic
:, officer Chambers Journal.