The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-08

managed 10 make nlS escape ny HlSS ing
from between my arms snakily, as titteo
his nature, and had rushed frantically
from the room as if he had been having
an interview with dangerous maniac.
don't know, old man, why l didn'1
kill him right there. I could have done
it just as easy. And I don't think
shall ever have better chance than then
My heart is set on gore-Jenkins's gore
and I'll not be cheated cut of my revenge
this time-not I.
Now YOU know the whole story. An
swer my question. Am I, or am not
Your devoted friend,
HARRY BRONSON.
No. II.
MARCH z, 1885.
DEAR OLD Tom: 1t was awfully good
of you to say that I am not quite a fool,
but wait until you read this. Did you
ever hear of such frightful luck as gen.
orally have9 left my Office in Park
Row yesterday about 2 o'clock. AT
Bleecker street met some friends and
we stopped on the corner. Here gave
an exhlb ton Of my :uck that would
make less sensible man take poison and
die in agony and bow-knot in the mid
die OF the floor just rs soon as Lot.
A gust of wind on its way uptown
from the Battery---harmless, spotive, in
nocent gust of wind, that had gone two
miles and never touched hat---swooped
down on my new tile and sent it rolling
up the street like college foot ball on a
most disg,aceful bender. There is no
use in prolonging the description. The
faster I ran the faster the hat rolled
through the mud between b.ockades Of
street cars and drays. trough the crowds
on the pavement block or so down
muddy gutter. Finally taking an off,
shoot it came to stopin pool of water
on side street. Two minutes later eight
policemen several thousand citizens
rushed down the thoroughfare and sur
rounded me and my hatas if we had been
malefactors of more than ordinary promi-
nence. After running behind an excited
and muddy man several blocks, followed
by the populat on OF five or six wards, It
is not within policema's nature to re-
sist making an arrest, and If had not
submitted to this outrage with meek
ness that Moses would have III ked at, I
am sure I would have been clubbed- into
the bargain. Here my same luck put its
foot in its mouth as usual. After pass
ing through a dozen streets or so, fol-
lowed by the same pestilential gang of
idlers, we reached the station house
where the Sergeant promptly dichsrged
me. After waitrng until the crowd
faded out of sight, Irushed to hat store
next door---a cheap, antique store---l
bought the only hat in it that fitted me.
1t looked like very small and inverted
tin pail on top of very large and wide
spread umbrella. only the edges turned
up in q roll. If I had worn my trousers
in my boots and looked throaghly wicked
could have passed for a cowboy even
under the experienced gaze of the most
expert desperate yet unhanged.
In nv excitement failed to notice my
peculiar appearance, but l thong ut I was
exercising sagacity beyond my usual wont
in choosing an unfrequented thoroughfare
to finish my walk, for did not fancy
provoking the curiosity of street car
riders, and Broadway with its crowds
seemed unbearable. and there wasn't q
cab in sight. Here is where my luck
Jumped on me again. Before had gone
two blocks, whom should met but May
Spalding and Miss St. George, who had
been evidently indulging in little inno-
cent daylight Summing excursion. They
did not see me until was close to them,
when, actua led solely by impulse, tried
to raise my newly acquired roof from my
head. At this moment Miss Spalding
saw me and gave scream that chilled
whas blood was not already frozen within
nv person. Remembering my hat when
it was, alas too late, I fled from the spot
like a guilty thing. A few doors in ad-
yence of where I stood when l started in
nv mad chase to escape from my Nemesis
was another hat store. Into this I dashed.
Five minutes later I re-entered civiliza-
ton, the dust brushed from my clothes,
the mud scraped from my boots, and my
head adorned with the glossiest of stylish
tiles.
/ fastened b,ck to where had fright
ened my hearts true love, but they were
gone.
Half an hour later I saw them again
seated on bench in Union square, listen
ing with sppa: ent interest to man
bended over them with his blck toward
me. As I apprca he'd them without at
tracing their attention, was enabled,
with or without my consent, to overhear
their conversation.
Whatever do you suppose we have
lust passed through9" inquil ed Miss
SpaldIng of her companion. "a most
horrible looking man met us near Wash
ington Square few minutes ago and was
about to insult US, I know, when I
screamed and he ran away"
The wretch" responded the man.
"Wlat sort of looking man was he?'
"He wore light suit of clothes, q
very broad -brimmed hat, and when he
got block or two up the street ne
lodged into a store. Then we hurried
up here where y III found us as fast as
we could come
II think Can throw little light upon
the identity of this miscreant," replied
the man in voice which I half recog-
nized. Il saw him rush into this store
from the centre of the square. He was
that Idlotic Bronson. have no idea
why he should try trick like that un'
less because it occurred to his feeble
mind that it might be smart or amusing.
I never have heard of his insulting any
ladies before, though. But I am moi
surprised at anything this imbecile might
do. 1 understand, he continued, with 8
malice nurely Satanic. 'sthat his friends