Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-09
will return it TO him myself tonight :
.sMar cd

] will return it TO him myself tonight :
Man, you're crazy" CRED Mike.
Il know what l am doing. AS low
as am L would not have taken that
watch from the man who once treated
me as his son. But l amt to blame
/ didn't know him any more
Here, Bill, tumble 10 yourself and be
sensible. l swear L never saw you
weaken like this
Blame me if you like, but that
watch does not remain in our posses
sion tonight" said Bill resolutely. 4
will 90 now and give it up, if l am ar
rested for it.
You won't if l Ian help it," said
Mike III an ugly mood. Give me that
watch" and he made quick move to
recover it from Bills clutch.
stand back, now," cried Bill, ''ol
there'u be trouble"
But Nike and Bob made a rush for
him, and Bill, after lodging them sew
eral times around the table, took Il po-
sition in the corner and drew his pistol
Mike and Bob hes,tated.
The big, muscular bartender had
meanwhile, overheard what the trouble
was, and his sympathy was with Mike
and Bob. Taking in the situation at
glance, he procured club and, STEALTH
ly creeping into the room through the
rear door, he rushed at Bill and com
PEELED him to drop the pistol with
swift blow from his club. Then the
three grappled with Bill for the pos
session of the watch. But weak as he
was, compared with his assailants, the
latter experienced great difficulty in
overpOwering him. They rolled from
one end of the room to the other, over
turning tables and chairs and making
the air ring with curses. Suddenly the
keen blade of knife glistened in
Mixes hand, and the next moment it
was plunged into the side of Bill.
A great cOmmotion was heard out
side.
Run for yer lifer' cried Bob. Its
the police"
Leaving Bill bleeding ON the floor
with the watch still in his possession,
the three rushed through the rear door
A moment later two policemen, a
detective and an old gentleman came
into the room.
That's the fellow who was hanging
around the church tonight. He must
have the watch" said the detective.
Bill uttered a groan and turned his
deathly pale face toward the speaker.
"Why. he's stabbed" said one of the
policemen ''We'll have to ring for an
ambulance"
Bill glanced from one face to another,
and when his eyes fell upon the coun-
tenance of the old gentleman a tremOr
went through his whole body.
"Mr. Marbury," said he with an eff
fort
The old gentleman started when he
heard his name and looked intently at
the dying man.
Good heaven! William. William"
he cried with great emotion.
"Nev-er mind me- Mr. Marbury.
For-for-give me; I took the watch,
but 1 didn't know 1t was yours.
The old man bent tenderly over the
dying form.
"Well. where is the watch?" said the
detective, gIuffly.
Here, Mr.. Marbury. When I saw
your name in it / meant to return i,
to you at once, and-and they stabbed
me for it. Take it."
With great effort he handed over the
watch. He breathed with difficulty,
and his eyes had a cadaverous stare.
will the ambulance never Gomez
cried the old gentleman.
'Too late-too-late." murmured Bill.
ga happy New Year to you and-and
An-nie."
There was one more effort to breathe,
then pause, and Bill was dead.