Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-09-18
CRASH & COBBLE,
Cioihi,rs.


"Thank Heaven. shan't be obliged
to go far, he sighed; and crossing the
street as hastily as man might who
could not bend joint, he entered tho
store.
81 want some Clothes" he said to the
clerk who approached him. 'Some
rascal has changed mine for these in
the Turkish bath house yonder. was
obliged to wear them so far, for I'm
not at home. live out of town"
Yes, sir; very annoying; very an
noying," said the clerk. Certainly,
they're not what we might call fine
fit, sir. What shall l show you, sirP'
The best you have" said Mr.. Rufus.
Il"
Here he dived into his pockets, and
pulled out some keys.
"Hang it!'' he said. "The rascal
has taken my pocket-book! However,
I'm Job Rufus, Of Rufustown. Been in
business there thirty years. You'll let
me have them, and I'll send you down
n check; or, rather, I'll bring it in to-
morrow. / shall have to telegraph
home at once for money order"
1--WE don't do business that way in
New York." said the clerk, instantly
growing stony and folding away the
garments he had taken down just then.
"See here" said voice at his car,
''come along quietly unless you want a
row. There are two more OF us. I'm
armed and have handouts in my
pocket. My name is Burke"
Good heavens!" cried Mr.. Rufus,
retreating, "has it come to this, that
highwaymen attack one openly at
noondayP Help! some one. Help!
Thieves! Murder! Help!"
In an instant more pair OF hand
cuffs were on his wrists.
The clothing clerks gathered around
him. A patriarch with a flowing white
beard. who would have done for Moses
in a tableau, but who was really the
proprietor of the place, joined the
group.
Venerable SIR" cried Mr. Rufus,
don't see me murdered before your
eyes. I'm Job Rufus, of Rufustown.
I've been robbed already. Mercy!
Helpr'
But all the patriarch did was to in
quire OF one of the two desperadoes
whats he donep'
"a bank was the last thing" said
the man who had first spoken. "rve
been on his track week. I'm Detec-
tive Burke"
And Mr.. Rufus was hustled into a
cab. He was beginning to understand
that a mistake had been made, and
though furious, was no longer terrified.
"Who do you think l amp" he in
quired, over his handouts, of Detective
Burke.
30, gammonp" replied that gentle
man. There isn't u suit like that in
New York nor hat"
II doubt IL there is, SIR" replied
Mr.. Rufus, quite calmly.
Shortly after, in some stronghold of
the law, he discovered that he was sup
posed to be one Knowing Bill, OF Balti-
more; that Detective Burke had never
seen his face. but had followed the hat
and overcoat from description, and de-
spite his wrath and the miseries of a
day and night passed in durance vile,
IL was n JOY to him when ut last he
heard a portly, white-haired gentleman
remark:
Detective Burke, you are an idiot.
Couldn't you see that this gentleman's
story was trueP Knowing Bill has
changed clothes with him in the bath
rooms, and so eluded you. Why, the
fellow Is twenty-eight, as dark as an
Indian, and half this gentleman's age
Very sorry, Mr.. Rufus, that this has &C.
CURED"
Poor Mr.. Rufus! he uttered furious
philippe, and afterward pinned to-
gether the garments which the action
OF his strong knees and elbows-had al
ready ripped, and hurried down stairs.
To return to his hotel and telegraph
for money from home was his only
course. He could not take cah- Cab
men must be paid, and