Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-07-28
TWO TIGHT CORNERS.
EXCITING CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF
A POLICE CAPTAIN.

Escape From Death Mt the Hands of
an Armed Maniac.
Eyes, we have to deal with some
queer people and some dangerous PEG.
ple," said police captain, and must
say. but not boastfully, that we now
and then have to use judgment that
Is ut once quick and reliable. re-
member several years ago we had n
highwayman in the station house who
had shot man and robbed him. He
was dangerous criminal and n
mighty powerful man. and he was in
a good position to so down for life or
be executed, for his victim was at the
point Of death. One night he asked
that be sent to his cell. had arrest.
cd him and had tried to get n confess
sion from him, but all my efforts had
been vain. He had taken n violent
dislike to me, and he had laughed ut
MI my endeavors. The deduction |
made when l heard he wished to see
me was that he had changed his mind
and intended to confess, so went to
the cellroOm and talked with him.
Captain said he in contiding
way, 4 want you to come in here and
sit down. This secret Is making
wreck of me. and l want to tell you
everything
"He seemed quite penitent, and with.
out any hesitation | opened the cell
door and sat down on the bench beside
him.
"Is Mr.. - going to dieY was his
first question.
"'The doctor says he cannot live
replied.
"'Then the chances for my going to
the chair are better than good!' asked
he.
II replied that they We're. The pris-
oner lapsed apparently into deep medi-
tation. and while the spell was upon
him he paced up and down the cell.
Suddenly he slammed the door of the
cell. placed himself before me and said
In Il rather fenrsOme voice:
"I've finished one. and If do two
can get nothing worse than the chair
Saying which, lie leaped Mt me. lead
ing ont powerful blow as he did so.
l was. of course. up and ready for
him and had n billy In my hand. He
had nothing but his big fists, feet and
teeth. any OF which lie was ready and
anxious to use. but he was twice Il
match for me even up | don't know
how did IT, If he had got the best of
me just for Il second. would have
been pounded to death; there Is no
doubt of that. raped him on the
billy. felt his blood flying over me.
heard him snarl and also felt the I'M
print of his powerful fists. 1t took me
five minutes to lay him out. and
must say that never spent five buster
minutes In my life. Oh. he's in prison
now. He's doing 20 years.
II remember another little expert
ence had that is not easy to forget.
was sitting in my private office one
afternoon when we'll built, stylishly
clad young man entered, bowed pleas
antly and snt down on the edge Of the
sofa.
81 never was down in this part Of
the city before he said, and. being
here. | thought I'd stop In and visit
with YOU
That's right rejolned. I'm al
ways glad to receive callers
II looked closely at the man.
couldn't place him ut all. 1t seemed
that l had seen him some place too.
He was about 30 years old, was stall
wart and had an attractive face that
bore slight traces Of dissipation.
beg pardon, my friend said l,
but really can't just place you. l
know we've met. but whereY
"'NO, we haven't met before.
never saw you before today in my life
Pm from Baltimore. I've heard Of you
lot Of times
1.-THE dialogue Jagged for few mo-
ments, and in that time l scrutinized
the stranger. He mystified me in a
small degree, and was Interested In
him. He broke the silence:
"'Say, captain. I've got something
very important to see you about I'll
just close this door, and it's just as well
that no one knows what we do or say.
Now, l wish first to impress you with
the Importance Of this meeting. 1t Is
the most mOmentOus occasion of my
life, and on its success or failure de-
ponds my future Captain Uhe stran-
ger leaned over and whispered In my
earl. I'm going to cut your throat!
~ was sitting with my profile to the
stranger, and he was leaning toward
me. Casting my eyes sidewise. | saw
that he held an opened razor In his
right hand. did not move immedi
ately.
$50 you're going to cut my throat?
| said. quietly turning part way
around.
eyes. captain. have been com.
manGed by God to do SO. I'm sorry.
but 1t must be done. Get ready
"That's all right, my friend. Pm
perfectly willing you shall carry out
your mission: but. to tell the truth. |
hate to get blood all over. my furniture
here. 1t wouldn't be nice to dirty up
the office. would it? Suppose we 60 in
the back room!
""That'll do. Come on rejoined the
maniac quickly.
81 got up. The maniacs back was
toward me. With one bound had
my arms about his waist and his arms
pinned to his side. then called for
help, and two officers rushed into my
office. 1t took four big men to put that
maniac In a cell. He's In an asylum
nOw."-Buffalo Express.
A wedding ring should fit the finger.
II It Is too large, It Is a sign Of shall