The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-01-26
AN HONORABLE R0BBER.

club, located in the upper part OF the
city, party of eight gentlemen were
seated around table, in the center of
which was huge bowl of punch, while
glasses filed with the tempting beverage
reposed before each guest. while the smoke
of as many fragrant cigars almost obscur
ed the incandescent lights which shone
from handsome chandelier overhead.
The time was New Years Eve, and the
party had gathered together to usher the
old year out and the new one in, as had
been their custom for many years past.
At the head Of the table sat gentle
man little past the prime of life, his
dark hair plentifully sprinkled with gray,
and look about his handsome face that
denoted resoluteness and determination.
Mirth and good nature had been the
order of the evening, but as the midnight
hour approached sort of hush had fallen
up,n the company.
During this temporary silence Mark
Lennon, the gentleman referred to, raised
his head and remarked slowly: "Some-
how, the sight of that bowl of punch re-
minds me of New Years eve which I
passed twenty years ago tonight"
At this remark the rest of the company
settled themselves back IN their chairs and
prepared themselves to hear the narrative
which they felt would he forthcoming.
II was then a young man, but recently
married." continued Mr.. Lennon, ''had
comfortable home and was doing we'll in
business, when crisis precipitated by the
war caused me to fail.
''All that possessed in the world went
to satisfy my creditors, and with the few
dollars that remained l came to New York
city, took floor in a tenement house, and
started to retrieve my lost fortune.
II assure you, it was decidedly uphill
WORK. tramped the streets daily in
search Of employment, only to return at
nightfal!, tired and disheartened. Our
little stock Of money was exhausted, and
the day before New Years found US with
out bit to eat in the house, every mar
ketable article sold or pawned, aud the
prospect Of being dispossessed for non
payment of rent staring US in the face.
"By dint of earnest pleading with the
butcher l persuaded him to let us have
sufficient meat for breakfast, which, being
disposed of and trifle left for my wife's
dinner, prepared to start forth on my
daily search.
Somehow made up my mind that
would not return to the house empty
handed, even il robbery was necessary, for
the sight of my poor wife's accomplishing
face was driving me distracted.
Assuming cheerful air, which was
far from feeling, spoke hopefully cfsome
vague promise made me the day before,
and bade my wife put the pot on to boil in
time for supper, which I would bring the
materials for.
might found me, as usual, unsuccess-
full in MY quest for work, aud / should
have returned home were it not for the
memory of my parting injunction to my
wife to have the pot boiling when came
back
''Once made an attempt to beg, but
met with such rebuff that it discouraged
further efforts in that direction.
"Despite my fatigue, wandered up and
down the streets, meditating on some
wild, reckless plan for procuring money.
The only one which seemed feasible was
to waylay some passerby AMI commit
highway robbery.
"rhe footballs of pedestrians grew few
er and fewer, and I was suddenly made
aware of the !ateness of the hour by the
ringing vf bells and the whistles of distant
boats ushering in the new year.
Il was Just turning into Broadway from
an uptown street when, by the aid Of
nearby lamp post, saw gentleman com
ing towards me.
"He ives clad in full! evening dress, and
despite the cold weather was dragging
his overcoat along the ground, holding it
by the collar. His high hat was set
rakishIy on the back Of his head, while
his uncertain steps and maudlin voice
chanting . drinking song proclaimed the
fact that he was cneerfully and hopelessly
drunk.
.'As he came opposite to me he stopped
his song, and with a wild drunken whoop
whirled his overcoat in the air and brought
it down upon my head, saying in his
drunken way; Whoop! Wish her hap
n Year.
"The force of the blow drove my hat
over my eyes, and staggered me 20 that
slipped on an icy spot and fell. With
howl of triumph at the success Of his joke,
the drunken man staggered away, leaving
me PROSTATE on the pavement, almost
stunned by the fall.
"When recovered l was about to run
after him to avenge the blow, when l
caught sigh of several letters scattered on
the sidewalk, and just within the circle of
light cast by the street lamp substantial
looking wallet met my eyes.