The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-04
A CLEVER CAPTURE.

his breast pocket.
sNow, - said BIr Blake, as the inspector
called himself "I'll 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 a heavy one, a chap named Sim
mons, who was then onA of the mounted
police. determined to try it on. So what
docs 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 a week or SO. 1t was q
hut where Joe was accustomed to call
when he wanted to pick UP news or get
fresh supply of rum, for the stOokman had
been a convict, like himself, and a pal of
his; but, pal CT no pal, he sold Joe this
time, and no mistake. -
''I'd have blown his brains out If I'd
been Joe, - observed the oraeksmans with
a savage oath.
81 honor your sentiments, - 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 piotur' Of a rough shep-
herd, seated over the fire, making his tea.
g Hello, where's the stockman hereYs
asked Joe, stalking into the hut and ap-
preaching the Gre, 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.
g He's gone.
GO Gone where-dead?'
So Pretty nigh it. He's down at the sta
ton with marsh fever. I've been ordered
up here in his place
g And who may you be, mate, when
you re at homer asked Joe sa7agely, for
he was disappointed at losing his friend.
g When I'm at home said Simmons,
England, might be lord mayor or chan
cellor of the exchequer, for any chance
have of getting back there. But being
here where am 1 m only jailbird-
" Who do you take me forf' he asked,
with an oath.
" 4 don't take you for any one but youz
proper or your improper self, said Sim
mons, quite unmoved, and filing two tin
mugs with the sweetened tea.
g And who am I?'
g Joe the Tinman.'
''Joe handled his pistol as one prepared
for action but Simmons burst into laugh.
So Leave of 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 stcckInan-sont me up here in bis
place, he didn't forget TO say who was his
11CB08 ana DeSG customers.
so, Joe the Tinman and Simmons the
trap sat down to their tea together, and
jolly night I've heard they had Of it.
Toward morning each took to boasting
of his powers of doing this thing or that
thing, and among other things Simmons,
who'd been when mere boy a sort Of
acrobat at a circus boosted of his powers
of jumping.
g Now, he said, 'supposing the traps
were about me and you was one OF 'em I'd
clear short man like you at a bound,
and, provided you weren't armed, I'd defy
a dozen like you to catch me-
"The tinman, who was bumptious in
his cups, denied this.
g 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.
g Nonsense. I'd skim over you as a
swallow skins over a bit of water. You
wouldn't even touch my shadder as
passed.
''The tinman, drinking more rum, grew
angry.
d" I'd like to see you try it. You're
more of a grasshOpper than properly
built man, that's what you are Come,
III bet you this gold watch that you don't
jump clean over me as stand now, back
toward you
e Watch be hangedP says Simmons.
TN bet you bottle of rum against that
bowie you We got in your belt that I clear
a short chap like you, hold up your hands
as high as you can, at a jump; only give
me run of few yards
" Doner And drawing the bowie
knife from his belt the bushranger laid il
on the table. -
CANNON observed Bill, who had
listened With much attention to the story.
ITS a thing as Leotard, or any one O.
them springy chaps, couldn't do
Its 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 a minute-that is
I'll show you how Simmons must have
done it, according to my belief. -
With ready obedience Bill stood up ard
turned his back to the operator.
81 suppose that's how the Tinman
stood?''
81 should fancy SO. Raise your arms a
little above The level of your head. That's
it. Throw them back a little, and III
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 a position that placed
the busbranger absolutely in his power to
draw pair of handouts from his pocket,
and, before the other could make move
lnent, slip them on so.
The thing vas done in an instant, and
before the cracksman could realize the
fact he found himself seated in one Of the
chairs, his hands feutered and his captor,
calm and smiling, standing over him.
New York News.
His Two Trotters.
"Henry George, - says the Westminster