Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-09

MISS VICTORIA HANSON
MRS. ANNIE BoNDA. MRS. MAUD GAMAsH
to hurry out to help me catch some bur-
glars who had robbed our house. Jim ran
after the man and caught him.
But the man escaped in the crowd that
soon collected, and as none of the men
present would follow him Victoria herself
took up the trail and chased the thief
through several alleys and streets till she
met policeman, who arrested him.
Mrs. Annie Bonda of Newark is 90
years Of age, and, although she didn't ar
rest her burglar, she made him disgorge
and get out. Mrs. BonGa lives in n fiat,
and when she was getting dinner few
minutes before noon man rang the door
bell ard asked for something to cat. II
told him had nothing ready" says Mrs
Bonda, land he went away grumbling
In n few seconds he was back and pleaded
for something to eat. He must have seen
my pocketbook on the table, He appeared
to be in despair and rags, and when told
him to come i'll he said, God bless you for
helping the poor. 1 went to the stove to
get the food when 1 noticed him looking
all around tho room. Taking my pocket
book, he put it in his pocket. 1 said:
Here, put down my pocketbook and
get out
He got up and struck at me, going to-
ward the door. Then l ran into the bed
room and took n pistol from the bureau.
went for him at once and pointed it at
him. He laughed, but said:
This is no bluff; it's loaded. I'll
shoot if you don't give up my money
"Hc seemed to hesitate whether he
should advance or not, but said firmly:
IN shoot! Look out!'
With that he dropped the pocketbook
and backed out of the door, cursing me
and shaking his nst.'
Something similar was the experience of
Mrs. Maud Gamash of Nashua, a beautiful
young woman still in her teens. She was
alone IN the house, and stepping into an
other room she was startled to see q man
just entering from the hall II began to
shake and shiver with fear" says Mrs.
Gamash. 1.-The intruder was an ugly look
ing customer-the very picture of Hun
CRY Hawkins from Wearyville cut out of a
funny paper.
You are all alone, young woman.
know it, exclaimed the tramp. Now get
a move on, my pretty one, and go fetch
the money and the jcwelry.'
Il told him there wasn't any money in
the house, but he said he knew better.
Suddenly fear seemed to leave me. I
remembered that my father kept revolver
in his bedroom. Cool as if / had been
simply going to get my hat and go for a
walk with friend, started to secure the
weapon. The tramp supposed 1 was in
search of the cash for him. Dashing
through the portieres which divide the sit
ting room from the chamber, my hand
mechanically opened the right drawer and
grasped the firearm. Back through the
pcrtieres Jew and confronted the robber,
exclaiining, I am not alone. have a
friend with met
"As spoke those words raised the six
shooter and leveled it at his head. Twas
not excited. I had fully made up INV
mind to fire. If need be, and aim to xiii.
The baffied rascal skunk in his tracks, the
curl of bis thick lips and the smile Of scorn
for n woman disappearing in an instant.
Now get out Of here, shouted.
And he got. Hungry Hawkins took
his rags and his dirt and his late lamented
sneeI and smile out of TIE side door,
1t seems that Mrs. Gamash has a vein
OF hrInor as well as proper appreciation
Of dramatic situations. All honor to her
and to Others Of her sex who scare the
smile Of scorn from the lips of brutal man.
JEROME JAcouU.