Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-10-14

aAsyS ~ EN dete ii We,
2 s. So So 5sSsi 5s% 5s@a' i came %ss 2
just this way:
For long time had been on the
track of a gang of coiners which in
my professional pride had vowed to
capture. More than once L had
pounced down upon them in their
haunts, and all vanished like magic
and being unable to produce proofs,
the chief whom L desired most to con-
Wet fairly laughed at me and my
efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance, and with some heat ejac-
ulated:
you've escaped me this time,
Jim Bradley, but I'm not John Spind-
ler 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 not
so black as he is painted, I retorted.
Well, it was nearly nine months
before l again ran down Jim and his
gang; then l 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 1
was sure Of my game, went to Scot
land Yard, saw the chief, reported my
news, got some men, and on one
dark, gusty winters night made a
swoop upon them.
Leaving the police I had brought
Mt a little distance, 1 knocked at the
door. Getting no answer, L stepped
back and looked up at the house.
1t was dark as pitch, save a faint
glimmer in the tirst-foor window. AS
L returned 1 felt certain | saw the
blind OF the lower room move. Trust
ing, if was being inspected, that the
darkness had concealed my identity,
l repeated my summons, when, after
long delay the door was opened bv
the old landlady, bearing a flaming
tallow candle.
Did you knock afore?" she said.
peering feebly at me. Sure, I'm lust
MS deaf as post, yer honor, and don't
hear bit. Who do you want?"
"One of your respectable lodgers.
Mrs. O'Brien," l answered, entering
the passage and putting my foot so as
to prevent the door closing Thanks,
old lady, 1 won't trouble you fur
ther."
Giving preconcerted whistle, nv
men came rapidly forward.
ooh, the perleese! oh. holy ST.
Patrick have mercy upon lone widder
woman Oh, good iintlemen, what's
the matter, sure?" shrieked the hag.
Paying no heed to these calculations.
placed one policeman on guard, and
with the others sprang upstairs
Reaching the landing I found all
dark, save faint glinlmer which is
sued from under the door in front of
us. l tried the handle. It was
locked.
I'VE have caught him this time." /
whispered exultingly, for I had caught
the sound of Jim Bradley's voice. 81
have examined the house well. and
there is no means Of egress either bv
the roofs or the windows. They are
trapped. Open, in the Queens namel'
l exclaimed aloud
"Hullo, is that you. my dear Spind.
ler?' cried Jim from within. Happy
to see you, I'm sure Remember what
said; Hold me when you catch me.
old boy! The thing is to trap your
bird"
81 will take care Of that. Mr.. Jim. -
Ireioined. Open, or We shall breal;
in the door"
"Oh, plaze, jintlemen-dear, good
jintlemen, for the love of the saints.
don't make a noise. There's n pool
sowl iist partin this life upstairs, au
his dear young .widdy's Almost dis.
tracted. Sorra one of We jintlemeu
hev any pity, Don't telrifv the col.
leen nor the partin' sowl who, sure,
has trouble enough"
Silence, you old croner' I ex.
claimed, land fetch a light, or I'll
have you arrested as an accomplice. 8
With regular howl of disappoint.
ment She hobbled away, declaring
she'd do anything for Us, implorine
pity for poor, lone woman and com
passion for the partin' sowl upstairs
We didn' wait for her return. Awar,
no one could pass us Oh the stairs. ant
believing jim might be trying to de
stroy the moulds. we put our shoul
ders against the door and drove tn,
lock from the box.
1 had prepared for the Light to b.
extinguished and rush made.
l was disappointed jim sat com
posedly at the table with another man
playing cards.
"Hullo! you don't stand on cere
mony, John, my friend, he remarked
laughing. II thought every man
house was his castle"
$50 it is, Jim, until he makes it
shield for law breaking" / answered