The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

Joseph had inslnooatn' ways. and made more
promises about my share Of the swag than he
ever would have kept: so IN the end CON-
sinted. He had his plans all laid az slick az
salad dressin'. We went up Fift avenoo on
the Renoone truck OF a banR-up furnitur'
house. and the sarvints let the men bear tho
sofy upstairs with me half standln' on me
head inside OF It. Say. Kunnel, II there'd have
been another story. I'd have gone dotty. sure.
from congestion OF the brain. Well. luckily.
they discovered they had me wrong end
foremost. and so hurried up. Soon l was
in the big room, with nothin' to do but
wait until night came and the sarvints
went to bed. and l could do me work in
peace and quietness. 1t was dark In the
sofy dark and soft. SO materially l went to
sleep. ls'pose II was the sound OF winder
openin' that awakened me. or me bones might
be In there yet. and through the crack OF tho
kivsr saw that the gas was lighted. waited
a while. listenin' to soft footsteps. and then l
ventured to lift up the lid and peek out.
Kunnel. there was a bloke Jest openin' that tin
box. and q jammin' the Jewels in his pocket
and from the rope on the winder sill. could
jedge that he was a seoond-story sneak.
II couldn't see his face and didn't want to
lest then so let down the lid and thought
what best could do. Should wait until he
was gone. and then take his leavin's should
spring out and neck him. with the hope OF
gettin' away before the sarvints should come
While l was ponderin'. Kunnel. instid OF actin
fust and ponderin' afterwards. squash. some
thin heavy pumped down on top OF the sofy.
nearly squshinR my liver out. tried TO raise
up. but l couldn't move. was prisoner with
no chanel OF escape except suffercatlon. 1
know'd what to expect. however. so l wasn't
surprised. an hour later. to hear q mighty
thumpin' on the front dure. and then
a stampin' and puskn' on the stairs.
The lights hared up. tho burrey was
lifted off-thats what that divil had
wheeled over and planted atop Of me-and as
bounded out there stood big perliceman
with a nlght-stck In one hand and gun in
the other. So there was nothin to do but I'M
conditional surrender I pleaded guilty as
soon as was arraiRned and threw myself on
the mussy Of the Coort. might have got 1t,
too. had l told what became Of the swag; but
you SEQ couldn't. though the beaks didn't be-
lieve mo- But II I ever ketch that sneak. Kun
mel. that wasn't contint to do me out OF me
lob. but must square hisself with the fust off,
Ger he met for future favors by squealin', say
| there'll be a cat and mouse time. and wont
| be the mouse neither"
You shouldnt feel 80, Smithers. really you
| shouldn't" observed Jake. the hospital stew.
| ard, suavely. What was a fellow to dor Let
| us put ourselves In his place. Supposin' be col
| out all right the same way he came with the
stun. and at the very next corner fell up aEins
| police. Did he want to be nabbed as o sus.
| picous character Did he want to scoot anC
git shot In the Lego Wasn't 1t wiser to say al
once. officer. you're Jest the man I'm lookir
| for. There's something wrong down at such anc
| such number. Fifty-eighth street. I'm sure Il
was. and 1t was to meet Jest such a con.
| tingency that left tn rope Arranging thereat
| 30 help me- Smithers. didn't mean that, 10
| up, will you. you're killing me. you're killing
| mel Help. Colonel: help. murder, helpl'
| The Colonel sat unmoved. as the two moi
| rolled over on the floor. striking choking
| eouging. He never stirred when there wer'
| hurried steps on the stairs. and the fat keeper
| with posse Of hallmen. rushed In and bor'
| the belligerents away to summary hearlni
| and a moro summary judgment before tn
| warden. And when he was asked why he didn'
| interfere or at least give an alarm. and thu
! possibly prevent Jake from losing an eye. ant
| Smithers, tho tip OF his thumb. hc merely re
| piled that he did not care to assume any respon
| sibility while under duress. He was an oil
soldier. was the Colonel, and perhaps the ex
ouse was most natural to reour: but the rea
| reason for his inertness, was q silent rag
| against his SURROUNDINGS, his associates. hi
| fate. which at times soorched and consumes
| him, when uc.y facts and harsh realities de
| prved him Of the defenoes which he usual
| derived from pleasant memories. sanguin
| hopes and tho sober assurances Of phlloso
| ply.