The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-09-15

& 81 A asS 5e''i |. cam, a"'
~CTtD about was
just this way:
For long time 1 had been on the
track of a gang of coiners which in
my professional pride 1 had vowed to
capture. More than once 1 had
pounced down upon them in theii
haunts, and all vanished like magic
and being unable to produce proofs,
the chief whom desired most to con.
vict fairly laughed at me and my
efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance, and with some heat 1 eiac.
ulated:
you've escaped me this time,
jim Bradley, but Tn not John Spind.
Ter if You do the next"
when you catch me, hold mel" he
grinned. 'How dare You malign an
innocent man?''
Innocent then the evil one is moi
so black as he is painted" retorted.
Well, it was nearly nine months
before / again ran down Jim and his
gang; then 1 detected them in low.
wretched street near the city road.
The house they used was kept by an
old Irshwoman.
Having watched the house till /
was sure OF my game, went to Scot
land Yard, saw the chief, reported my
news, got some men, aud on one
dark, gusty winters night made a
swoop upon them.
Leaving the police 1 had brought
at a little distance, 1 knocked at the
door. Getting no answer, / stepped
back and looked up at the house.
1t was dark as pitch, save a faint
glimmer in the first-hoor window. AS
| returned 1 felt certain l saw the
blind OF the lower room move. Trust
ing, II l was being inspected, that,the
darkness had concealed my identity,
repeated my summons, when, after
a long delay, the door was opened by
the old landlady, bearing a flaming
tallow candle.
"Did you knock afore?" she said,
peering feebly at me. Sure, I'm Just
as deaf MS a post, yer honor, and don't
hear bit. Who do you want?"
Zone of your respectable dodgers,
Mrs. O'Brien," l answered, entering
the passage and putting my foot so as
to prevent the door closing. Thanks,
Did lady, l won't trouble you fur.
ther.
Giving a preconcerted whistle, my
men came rapidly forward.
"Oh, the perleesel oh, holy ST.
Patrick! have mercy upon lone widder
womanl Oh, good jintlemen, what's
The matter, sure?" shrieked the hag.
Paying no heed to these calculations,
Iplaced one policeman on guard, and
with the Others sprang upstairs.
Reaching the landing 1 found all
dark, save faint glimmer which is
sued from under the door in front of
us. l tried the handle. It was
locked.
1--WE have caught him this timel" /
whispered exultingly, for had caught
the sound of Jim Bradley's voice. al
have examined the house well, and
there is no means of egress either by
the roofs or the windows. They are
trapped. Open, in the Queens name p'
l exclaimed aloud.
"Hullo, is that you, my dear Spind-
ier?" cried Jim from within. "Happy
to see you, I'm sure! Remember what
l said; Hold me when you catch me, ,
old boy! The thing is to trap your
birdl"
81 will take care of that, Mr.. jim, "
Ireioined. | "Open, or we shall break
in the doori"
ooh, place, jintlemen-dear, good
iiutlemen, for the love of the saints,
don't make noise. There's a poor
sowl iist partin' this life upstairs, an
his dear young widdy's Almost dis
tracted.- Sorra a one of We jintlemen
hev any pity. Don't terrify the col
leen nci the partin' sowl who, sure,
has trouble enough"
"Silence, you old croneT" / ex-
claimed, "and fetch a light, or I'll
have you arrested as an accomplice. ."
With a regular howl of disappoint-
ment she hobbled away, declaring
HAS u w Uiy tiAih6 lOi U.S. luplOIluR
pity for poor, lone woman and COM
passion for the partin' sowl p-stairs.
We didn't wait for her return. Aware
no one could pass us ON the stairs, and
believing Jim might be trying to de-
stroy the moulds, we put our shoul-
ders against the door and drove the
lock from the box.
l had prepared for the light to be
extinguished and rush made.
l was disappointed. jim sat COM
posedly at the table with another man,
playing cards.
"Hullol you don't stand on cere-
mony, John, my friend, "he remarked,
laughing. 81 thought every man
house was his castle.
$50 it is, jim, until he makes it a
shield for law-breaking," l answered.