Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-01-16
ROBBING A LAWYER.

Six months, with hard labor, said
the magistrate to the prisoner.
"I'l be quits with you afore long,
said the prisoner to the solicitor for the
prosecution as he turned to descend to
the cells.
For Joe Renshaw felt hurt. That
particular solicitor, Benjamin Tmpany
Joe made note of the name and reg
istered resolution not to forget it
had conducted his case with zeal that
seemed to border on animus, otherwise
Mr.. Renshaw's explanation as to his
presence on inc1osed premises at mid
night might have been accepted.
Mr.. Timpany heard the words. He
saw the glance that accompanied them.
1t was not reassuring glance. If one
met it by the light OF bullseye at mid
night-ughl Mr. Timpany shuddcred.
"Cleverest craftsman going, joel"
said the sergeant in a tone almost of
admiration. Electric bells and all
that sort of thing don't bother him
bit. He can get through an iron shut
ter as if it was brown paper.
Mr.. Timpany's $ state of mind became
less complacent than ever. He had done
his duty to his client in insuring this
desperado's conviction, but he began to
wonder whether man could not do his
duty too well.
He began to think how exposed his
house was, how low the back garden
wall, how close the balconies to the
ground, how rusty the front door chain
and how insecure the window fasten-
ings. There was, however, one conso-
lation-he had six month Is start of Mr..
Renshaw.
Mr.. Ti1npany's politeness TO the po-
iceman whose beat embraced his house
and who had once been seen kissing his
housemaid was surprising, having re-
gard to the indignation he had evinced
when some time previously he had been
informed of the housemaid incident.
The six months of his incarceration
did not speed quite so quickly for Joe
Renshaw as for Gfr. Timpany.
Joe was averse to labor of any kind,
more especially to the hard variety.
He had, however, ample time and OPP
portunity for meditation on what he con-
sidered the vindictive wickedness of
Mr.. Timpany and the means for its re-
quital.
Artist as he was in his own line, in
the operation contemplated he meant to
excel himself. He would not hurry
over it; he would bide his time Every
thing comes, he reflected, to the man
who waits. He would wait-on Tim
pany.
At last came the hour when he step
ped forth a free man-anyway for a
time. He began to look about for oc-
cupation, not work. He had had six
months at that, and if he had cared for
honest work outside prison walls Il
would have been difficult to find.
One, two, three months since tho e1-
piration of Renshaw's s sentence had e1-
pired, and Mr.. Timpany began to inn
agine that he had forgotten his promise
and to sleep soundly of nights. He even
ventured occasionally to bring home
valuable documents of title and secu-
rites in his black bag and to once more
believe in the truth of the adage that
an Englishman' g house is his castle.
But one night while Mr.. Timpany
was wrapped in gentle sleep and his
pajamas thin streak of white light
glimmered for an instant along his back
garden. Bendigo, who slept with one
eye open, fancied he caught a glimpse
of something that ought not to be there
and emitted deep, warning growl.
Much to his surprise, as if by magic,
a savory piece of horsefiesh, Just suffi-
GENTLY underdone to suit the palate of
so dainty canine epicure, fell within
yard of his nose.
With the snorting growl that was his
usual expression of delight, the bulldog
rose and shifted it. Then he licked it,
and it tasted even more savory than it
smelied.
Bendigo bolted it, and seeing no NOR
sells lying about turned to regain his
kennel, but ere he could reach it his
limbs stiffened, and he rolled over with
out a groan-stone dead.
A few minutes later marvellous CEN
terbit was running its way silently but
surely through MIR. Timpany's iron
shutters.
Before long the shutter had been
quietly pushed open, replaced, and Joe
Renshaw was seated III the breakfast
room, around which his bullseye fash
was moving.
The disk of light rested a moment on
a small cabinet, the lock of which Mr..
Renshaw leisurely proceeded to neatly
pick.
'Tradesmen's bills, . he grunted, :" all
receipted. Wot a spendthrift the chap
must be throwin away his money in
payin accounts! Some folks never knows
the wally @ money. He earns his cas-
ier than does. =
Then, his list shoes making not the
slightest sound, he crept into room
which served Mr. Timpany for kind
of home office.
This is better, - chuckled the bur-
glar, espying safe in the corner, and
once again the centerDit was called into
operation. But it was tough job, and
file and crowbar had to be brought into
play, and Mr. Renshaw's brow was
moist before the door showed the slight
est signs of yielding,
If had the man as made this here,
he growIed, he'd never make no more.
MI e-l