Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1894-02-01

l
"Garn out O this or rll'- He took q
step forward with uplifted hand, but in
an instant down came cut No. upon
his wrist and cut No. across his
thigh and cut No. 8 full in the CEN
ter of his rabbit skin cap. 1t was not
heavy stick, but it was strong enough
to leave a good red veal wherever
it fell. The rough yelled with pain and
rushed in. hitting with both hands and
kicking with his ironshod boots, but the
admiral had still quick foot and true
eye, so that he bounded backward and
sideways, still raining shower of blows
upon his savage antagonist. Suddenly,
however, a pair of arms closed round his
neck, and glancing backward he caught
a glimpse of the black, coarse fringe of
the woman whom he had befriended.
''Fye got himy" she shrieked "I'll old
i'm! Now. Bill, knock the tripe out of
him.
Her grip was as strong as mans. and
her wrist pressed like an iron bar upon
the admiral's throat. He made desper-
ate effort to disengage himself, but the
most that he could do was to swing her
around so as to place her between his
adversary and himself AS it proved it
was the very best thing that he could
have done. The rough, half blinded and
maddened by the blows which he had re-
ceived, struck out with all his ungainly
strength just as his partners head
swung around in front of him.
There was noise like that of stone
hitting wall, deep groan, her grasp
relaxed, and she dropped dead weight
upon the pavement. while the admiral
sprang back and raised his stick once
more, ready either for attack or defense.
Neither was needed, however, for at
that moment there was scattering of
the crowd, and two police constables,
burly and helmeted, pushed their way
through the rabble. At the sight of
them the rough took to his heels and
was instantly screened from view by a
veil of his friends and neighbors.
81 have been assaulted" painted the
admiral. "This woman was attacked,
and I had to defend her."
This is BerInondsey SAL" said one
police officer, bending over the bedrag-
gled heap of tattered shawl and dirty
skirt. ''Shes got it hot this time"
He was a shortish man, thick, with
a beard"
"Ah, that's Black Davie. He's been up
four times for beating her. He's about
done the job now. If were you, would
let that sort settle their own little af-
fairs, sir"
do you think that man who holds
the queens commission will stand by
and see woman struck" cried the ad-
miral Indignantly.
well. just as you like. sir. But you've
lost your watch, see."
''My watchr' He clapped his hand to
his waistcoat. Thu chain was hanging
down in front, and the watch gone.
He passed his hand over his forehead.
anything" said he. mo money could
replace it. 1t was given me by the ships
company after our African cruise. 1t has
an inscription"
The policeman shrugged his shoulders.
at comes from meddling," said he.
"What'll you give me if l tell yer where
1t isl" said sharp faced boy among the !
crowd. "Will you give me quid?"
Certainly"
"Well, where's the quid?'
The admiral took a sovereign from his
pocket. Here it is"
''Then 'ere's the ticker!' The boy
pointed to the clinched hand of the
senseless woman. A glimmer of gold
shone out from between the fingers, and
on opening them up there was the ad-
mirals chronometer. This interesting
victim had throttled her protector with
one hand, while she had robbed him
with the other.
The admiral left his address with the
policeman, satisfied himself tina. the
woman was only stunned, not dead, and
then set off upon his way once more,
the poorer perhaps in his faith in human
nature. but in very good spirits none
the less. He walked with dilated nos
trils and clinched hands, all glowing
and tingling with the excitement of the
combat. and warmed with the thought
that he could still, when there was need.
take his own part in a street brawl in
spite of his threescore and odd years.
His way now led toward the riverside
regions, and cleansing Whit of tar was
to be detected in the stagnant autumn
air. Men with the blue jersey and peaked
cap of the boatman or the white duck of
the dockers began to replace the cordu-
roys and fustim of the laborers. Shops
with nautical instruments in the win
dows, rope and paint sellers and slop
shops with long rows of oilskins dangling
from hooks all proclaimed the neigh
borhood of the docks.
The admiral quickened his pace and
Strengthened his figure as his surround
ings became more nautical, until at last,
peeping between two high dingy wharfs,
he caught glimpse of the mud colored
waters of the Thames and of the bristle
of masts and tunnels which rose from
its broad bosom. To the right lay quiet
street, with many brass plates upon
either side and wire blinds Oh all of the