Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-12-12

II was not a heavy stick, but 10 was
strong enough to leave good red veal
wherever 1t fell. The rough yelled with
pain, and rushed In, hitting With both
hands, and kicking with his iron-shod
boots, but the Admiral had still a quick
foot and q true eye, 80 that he bounded
backwards and sideways, still raining
shower Of blows upon his savage am
tagonist. Suddenly, however, pair OF
arms closed around his neck, and glanc-
Ing backwards he caught a glimpse OK
the black coarse fringe Of tho woman
whom he had befrlended "IVe got
him" she shrleked. "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
Admlral's throat. He made a desper-
ate effort to disengage himself but the
most that he could do was to swing her
round, 30 as to place her between his
adversary and himself. AS It proved, 1t
was the very best thing that he could
have done. The rough, half-bllnded
and maddened by the blows which he
had received, struck out with all his un-
calmly strength, just as his partners
head swung around in front OF him.
There was q noise like that Of a stone
hitting wall, deep groan, her grasp
relaxed, and she dropped a dead weight
upon the pavement, while the Admiral
sprang back and raised his stick once
more, ready either for attack or de-
Tense. Neither were needed, however,
for at that moment there was scatter
Ing Of the crowd, and two police con-
stables, 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 veil of his friends and neigh
bors.
II have been assaulted" painted the
Admiral, This woman was attacked
and had to defend her."
"Thls Is Bermondsey SAL" said one
police officer, bending over the berag-
gled heap Of tattered shawl and dirty
skirt. She's got 1t hot this time"
"He was a shortsh man, thick, with
a beard"
"Ah, that's Black Davle. He's been
up four times for beating her Hes
about done the job now. If 1 were you
would let that sort settle their own
little affairs, SIR"
do you think that man who holds
the Queens commission will stand by
and see woman struck?" cried the ADJ
miral Indignantly.
"Well, just as you like, sir. But
you've lost your watch, see."
my watchW He clapped his hand to |
his waistcoat. The chain was hanging
down in front, and the watch gone,
He passed his hand over his forehead.
al would not have lost that watch for
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.
"Whatll you give me If tell yer
where 1t is?" said a sharp-faced boy
among the crowd. "Will you gimme a
quld?"
Certainly"
"Well where's the quid?"
The Admiral took sovereign from |
his pocket Here 1t Is"
"Then ere's the ticker" The boy
pointed to the clenched hand Of the |
senseless woman. A glimmer OF gold |
shone out from between the fingers, ana
on opening them up, there was the Ad-
mirars chronometer. This interesting
vitslm had throttled her protector with
one hand, while she robbed him with the
other.
The Admiral left his address with tho
policeman, satisfied that 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 nostrils
and clenched hands, all glowing and |
rlngling with the excitement Of the COM
bat, 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 three-score and odd years.