The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1885-10-09
Purposely Robbed.
philadelphia Press.1

va PVSVAy AAOuUCu
philadelphia Press.l
"Down on his luck, suppose" said ono
of party of three young mon on their way
home on Sunday morning, as he pointed
to sitting figure on the steps of 913 Wal
nut street. It was nearly two o'clock.
The lonely man who had attracted the no
tice of the passing youths was reporter.
He had been ordered to get himself robbed
and this was the fifth night of his vigil.
He held out unusual inducements to
thieves and dcspondent persons by dis
playing heavy brass chain and a Rhine
stone scarf-pin as large as filbert. In his
vest pocket was a large oreide watch, pur-
chased for the occasion at a pawnbroker's,
which he consulted ostentatiously when-
ever any wanderers of the night were
passing.
"Look at that poor wretch" said anoth-
er young man to his lady companion.
"George, wake the poor fellow up. He
will surely catch cold, i" she replied.
"Don't bother him. Those stone steps
are probably soft to him."
"But, George, he looks respectable.
Maybe he has been at his club and is Ill.
He may have wife or mother sitting
up, waiting for him. Let's go back to
him."
But the lady's companion was pitiless
and the couple passed out of sight.
The reporter arose and strolled into the
block below. When he reached the corner
of Ninth he was accosted by two inebriated
men.
"Ex-cuse me, but cou could you tell me
when q car will be along"
"Don't be Tended, misser. He'sh lis
sci drunk. Pm takin' him home," said the
drunken man of the two.
The information had hardly been given
before tough-looking fellow sauntered
difficulty the reporter produced his watch
whicy he took particular pains to expose
in the glare Of the lamp. He spent fully
two minutes in ascertaining what time
| it was. The hands on the watch indi-
Gated half-past six. The owner of the
time-piece, knowing the unrclilAility Of
| the jewel, stammered out: "Quarter
| past two." The man took hasty meas
ure of the "young fellow with the watch"
and passed on.
Thereporter received a shock in front Of
| the Walnut Street Theater. A man,
suddenly emerging from the doorway of
the theatre, ran violently against him.
"Say, mister" said he, II am stranger
in the city, but want q quarter to get
q bed. I got here late tonight from
Pittsburgh, and l have lost the address
Of my brother-in-law."
Having handed the petitioner the money
the reporter had the personal satisfaction
of seeing the late arrival from Pitts
burgh entering the side door of sa-
loon. Resuming his seat on the mar
BILE steps of 9la the reporter watched the
night as it wore away. Resting his
head upon his knees he began to snore
while he kept one eye open. Soon a
man came along who needed the entire
sidewalk. He halted In front of the writer.
He was at once recognized as the man
who had recently inquired the time.
The man on the steps felt encouraged and
snored louder.
"Here's yer car" the pretended inebriate
shouted, in loud tone, but the reporter
couldn't be awakened. The man sobered
at once. He coughed, and Immediately
the fellow who was "just in from Pitts
burgh" appeared upon the scene.
"Wen have no trouble attending to
him." said the Pittsburgher. 'sHe was
pretty groggy when met him."
The first man seated himself by the
writer, while the Pittsburgher watched ur
and the street.
"say, cap, are you asleep" asked the
robber, before beginning operations.
Not receiving an answer he loosened the
attractive brass chain and, catching 1t by
the end, gently raised it up, taking with ii
the watch.
"Here you are, Pete" he said, handing
1t to his companion. "Guess we can gel
$50 on that"
The robber next removed the Rhine stone
scarf-pin and then relieved the victim Of
his scarf. Then he put his hand In the re.
porter's pocket, which contained an old
wallet bulging with wads of paper.
The fellow had some trouble getting the
pocket-book out and the reporter involun.
tarily moved to facilitate his work. This
caused the pickpocket to say:
II was just trying to wake you, mister.
The policeman will soon be along.'
The words seemed affectionate and the
reporter rather felt sorry he had nothing
valuable about him. He would have wish.
ed to placate the gentle robber who had moi
offered violence. The writer merely ac-
knowledged the obligation by renewing his
snoring, which he had forgot to continue
during the abstraction of the wallet. The
robber then went through the reporters
coat-pockets and was repaid for his search
by finding small sum Of money that had
been placed there as place of safety.
GOING TOO FAR.
"This is pretty good coat the fellow has
on,1 said the robbsr to his chum. "Believe
I'll take it off,"
Not having caltnlated on losing his coat
the reporter showed decided signs Of rest-
lessness. The man rose hastily and both
started of.
"That only makes two fellows we've
worked to-night," remarked the fellow
who had the wallet. We ought! to do bet-
ter than that Of q Saturday night. 2
prairie tre yesterday afternoon dsstroyss
several stacks Of oats belonging to GesEgl
Tower, At tEllsbury.