Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-10-31
Bill Truber, Burglar.

burly fellow, with bullet head set
strongly on his shoulders. He whirl-
ed the heavy packages end over end
and flung them on the dray as if they
were a hundred weight each. He
seemed just the man for the job.
In the office at the back of the store
sat Mr.. Hoskins. His back was to-
wards the window that looked out on
the alley. A man was standing talk
ing to him, when suddenly the man
seemed to notice Smith. Then he
stopped talking and stared.
whats the matter" asked Hos
kins.
"Who's that loading the boxes on
the dray ?"
Hoskins wheeled round on his re-
volving chair and looked out THAT?
Oh, that's Smith, one of the porters.
Whyi'
"Smith, is it That mans Bill Tru-
Der, the burglar. How long have
you had him ?"
Impossible! He's been here six
months or more. Gives perfect satis-
faction, / believe"
"All the same, he's Truber. Was
let out of States prison less than a
year ago. Served three years, / be-
lieve. I'd investigate if were YOU"
When the man left. Hoskins sat a
few moments looking out the alley
window. Then he called to one of
the store boys and said {:
"Ask Smith to come here, will you"
Smith came in, looking embarrassed
at the unusual call.
"Just close the door," said Hoskins.
Smith closed the door.
"See here, my man, is Smith your
name?"
The man looked up quickly at Hos
kins, then sullenly replied:
"Ain't Smith as good as any other
namei"
eyes, if it is your own. Is it ?"
"No, it amt"
"What is your name, then ?"
ats nobody's business as long as I
do my work."
"It's my business. I'll make it my
business. l don't want any of your
insolence. What's your name?"
Smith did not answer.
"See here, my man, you've got to
be careful or III give you up to the
police"
"What for p
"You know very well what for"
mo l don't. What for p
Because you are burglar. Do
you deny it ?"
"Of course deny it. was bur-
glar. I've served my time. I've
done no harm since. I've worked
hard enough for what you give me-
well, you can't work any longer
for me. Call at the window and get
your pay.
Smith did not move.
you heard what | said. Get out
of here. You may thank your stars
| don't hand you over to the police"
you've nothing to hand me over
for and you know it, or you'd do it
quick enough. I've got to eat like
other men. Who gave me away ?"
"That don't matter. The clerk will
give you what's coming to you.'
"See here, if get another job you
won't give me away will you :"
81 don't wish to have any further
conversation with you. Next place
you get, don't get it under false pre-
lenses you'll find honesty the best
policy"
The burglar drew his pay and start
ed hunting for another job. He tried
honestly for awhile, but found that a
good record in states prison was not
necessarily good business recon-
mendation. He doubted the policy
and dropped it.
At last he got place in the hard
ware store Of Irons & Co. All went
well for week, until one day he came
on Irons and Hoskins together. He
was not kept "a moment in suspense.
That man in your employ p ask
ed Hoskins. II suppose he told you
he was Jail bird ?"
Good gracious. nor exclaimed
Irons. "Is that true, Jonesi 7"
"Oh, he's Jones now, is he ?" Hos
kins went on. "He was Smith at my
place. His real name is Bill some
thing, burglar, late of states prison."
One night week Mr.. Ezra Hos
kins was in the habit of staying late
at his Office. Hoskins will never
again be so near deaths door until
finally he enters therein as he was the
next night he stayed in his Office.
The burglar was concealed within
ten feet Of him but murder and not
robbery was his object that night.
His only regret was that he would
have to kill Hoskins SO quickly and
silently that the merchant would new