The Newtown bee., 1891-11-06

eyes, I'm tramp and worse; I'm a
feeling and they've interfered with my
prospects more'n once. No, [ don't
mind telling of one case as [ remember
at this moment and sometimes I'm sorry,
and sometimes I'm glad. 1t was to have
been robbery, and it might have been
murder, though I've always kept clear
of that.
Me and Bill Doolin-he's doing time
in the pen for lifting gentlemen's valises
on the cars-was set to rob a house in
the suburbs. There was money and
plate, and only a feeble woman and two
children, girls at that, in the place. We
wanted to get through with the job afore
midnight, so as to take a train that
would take us out of reach if we were
suspicioned, and we walked out eight
miles to the place, and got there early in
the evening.
At the depot, we heard of a dog-a
mastiff that was kept chained day and
night-only at night it was taken into
oIAS IOuoSs Nv VIC AdS& w Jul
plans. There was park in front of the
house and | got up a scheme. One of US
would be taken sick suddenly and call
out to attract attention. The woman
and children would run out to see what
was the matter and then the other one
would slip inside and get all the valua-
bles. AS the house was only an ordinary
family residence, we believed il could be
easily done. The night was dark and
there was no street lamps, which favor
ed our scheme.
Bill insisted that was to do the sick
act and, when the folks came out, he was
to slip in and rob the house. Up to then,
it was easy enough, but you've heard of
burglars luck? No? Well, it's kind
of presentiment that gets hold of you
just at the wrong moment and makes
you weaken. o pshaw! 1t was the soft
Spring night and the pure country air
that turned my head and all in a jiffy, as
you may say, got sick of the job and
wished myself out of it.
Howsomever, was ashamed to back
down now, so told Bill not to start I'M
til | gave certain signal agreed upon
betwixt us and then [ began to groan
and boiler and call for help. There was
NO other house near, the next building
moving in the house. Then a woman
came out on the veranda. She had Ian
tern and looked out into the darkness to
see where the cries came from.
It's somebody in dreadful pain,' 1
heard her say.
She was followed by two children. Bill
was hiding back Of me among the trees
and he whispered loud,
sNow's my time
No. / said back to him, swait till I
give the signal
Then / groaned and carried on worse
than ever. / saw that the lady was COM
ing down the steps Of the veranda. Then
the children began to scream.
Don't go, mamma, don't go; you will
be killed. II
NONSENSE she said, suppose it was
papa lying there hurt and suffering q
gave another yelD, wouldn't you be
thankful to anybody who would help
him?''
With that she came direct toward me
and could see that she had good, kind
face.
What is the matter with you, good
man? What can do for you?'
Her voice was sweet and kind and all
the time could hear Bill making mo-
tions for the signal in the bushes back Of
me. The two children, pretty little girls,
had hold Of their mothers gown and
were staring at me. There was every
thing had planned for just within reach
and youth never guess what ! did. No,
+ can hardly believe it Of myself.