The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-09-09
A CLEVER CAPTURE.

was unarmed, while Bill had q revolver In
his breast pocket.
"Now, said Mr. Blake as the inspector
called himself, "Ill show how Joe the
Tinman was took He'd sworn as there
wasn't any man as would take him single
handed Well, as the reward for his cap
ture was heavy one, chap named Sim
mons. who was then one of the mounted
police determined TO try 1t on. So what
does he do, knowing some of Joe's haunts.
but brides a stockman, who lived In a
lonely hut on the side of a deep gully
among the hills, to let him take possession
of the place for week or SO. 1t was a
hut where Joe was accustomed to call
when he wanted to pick up news or get a
fresh supply of rum, for the stockman had
been convict, like himself and pal OF
his; but pal or no pal he sold Joe this
time, and no mistake"
I'D have blown his brains out If I'd
been Joe, " observed the cracksman, with
q savage oath,
~ honor your sentiments, Z" responded
Mr. Blake, land from what I know of
Joe he shared EN- But, you see, when
he looked in one night at the hut no
stockman was there, but in his place Sim
mons, looking the pictur' of rough shep.
Hello, where's the stockman heres
asked Joe, stalking into the hut and ap-
preaching the fire. for Joe wasn't afeared
of satan himself Besides, he was all stuck
round with six shooters and bowie knives,
so that he was caution to look at.
Hes gone.
'Gone where-dead9'
"'Pretty nigh it. He's down at the sta.
ton with marsh fever. I've been ordered
up here in his place
And who may you be, mate, when
you're at homer asked Joe savagely, for
he was disappointed at losing his friend.
"'When I'm at home, said Simmons,
still busy with the supper. If home means
England, might be lord mayor or chan.
cellor of the exchequer, for any chance
have of getting back there. But being
here where I am I'm only jailbird
"'Who do you take me for?' he asked,
with an oath
:" Il don't take you for any one but your
proper or your improper self, said Sim
mons, quite unmoved, and filling two tin
mugs with the sweetened tea.
And who am ~
"'Joe the Tinman.'
"Joe handled his pistol as one prepared
for action, but Simmons burst into laugh.
LEAVE off handling your barking
iron, he said, and take that mug of tea.
I'd advise you to put taste of rum in it,
for the nights nipper. You know where
the bottle Is, so make no bones about it.
When Old Mike-that was the name of
the stockman-sent me up here In his
place, he didn't forget to say who was his
friends and best customers
$50, Joe the Tinman and Simmons the
trap sat down to their tea together, and q
jolly night I've heard they had CT It.
"Toward morning each took to Boosting
Of his powers of doing this thing or that
thing. and among other things Simmons,
who'd been when a mere boy sort of
acrobat at circus, boosted of his powers
of jumping.
Snow, he said, 'supposing the traps
were about me and you was one Of 'em I'd
clear short man like you at bound,
and, provided you weren't armed, I'd defy
o dozen like you to catch me-
1.-THE tinman, who was bumptious In
his cups, denied this.
"'Why,' he said. IF you was to try to
leap over me as you say, I'd just up with
my arms and pin your two thread paper
legs So
"He illustrated his words by action
But Simmons only laughed.
Nonsense. I'd skim over you as
swallow Skins over q bit of water. You
wouldn't even touch my shadder as
passed.
"The tinman, drinking more rum, grew
angry.
"'I'd like to see you try it. You're
more of a grasshopper than q properly
built man, that's what you arel Come,
I'll bet you this gold watch that you don't
jump clean over me as stand now, back
toward you.'
Watch be hangedi' says Simmons.
'I'll bet you bottle Of rum against that
bowie you've got in your belt that clear
short chap like you hold up your hands
as high as you can, at jump; only give
me run of few yards.
"'Donel And drawing the bowie
knife from his belt the bushranger laid 1t
on the table"
"Gammon!" observed Bill, who had
listened with much attention to the story.
"It's a thing as Leotard, or any one O.
them springy chaps, couldn't do"
"It's only trick, replied Mr.. Blake,
ga mere circus trick-which every clown
In the ring understands. Here, I'll show
you how It's done in q minute-that Is,
I'll show you how Simmons must have
done 1t, according to my belief"
With ready obedience Bill stood up and
turned his back to the operator.
II suppose that's how the Tinman
stoods"
II should fancy 60. Raise your arms
little above the level of your head. That's
It, Throw them back little, and I'll
show you how the trick was done"
Bill, following every direction, raised
his hands high over his head, then let
them decline slightly In the direction Of
his new friend.
The latter, taking Bills wrists In his
hands, brought them gently together.
"This Is how the thing must have been
DONE" he said. "Simmons must have
taken advantage Of position that placed
the bushranger absolutely In his power to
draw pair of handouts from his pocket,
and, before the other could make move
ment, slip them on So"
The thing was done in an instant, and
before the craftsman could realize the
fact he found himself seated In one of the
chairs, his hands fettered and his captor,
calm and smiling, standing over him.
New York News.