The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-21

carrying much money with him, and
the man with the stake, who was
searching him, uttered an oath at the
small amount of change he found. AS
he uttered it the man With the pistol
sayagely said: ssJerk out his watch,
We might as well get all we can out OF
the job.
The man with the stake was on the
point of laying hold of the chain when
there was the sound of footsteps coming
toward them.
ssGet behind the fence! We haven't
half searched him yet. Mind you keep
shut now if you dom want
The man with the pistol made sig
nifcant gesture with it, and his COM
panion pulled and pushed the bishop
down the. alley and through ragged
broken opening in the fence. The three
stood still there in the shadow until the
footsteps passed.
e<Now, then, have you got the
watch 90 asked the man with the pistol.
<3No; the chain is caught some
where!'' And the other man swore
again
1sBreak it, them
.<No; don't break it, the bishop
said, and it was the first time he had
spoken. s.The chain is the gift of
very dear friend. I should be sorry to
have it broken
At the sound Of the bishops voice
the man with the pistol started as if he
had been suddenly shot by his own
weapon. With a quick movement of his
other hand be turned the bishops head
toward what little light was shining
from the alleyway. at the same time
taking step nearer. Then, to the evi-
dent amazement Of his companion. he
said roughly:
4sLeave the watch alone. We've got
the money. That's enough.
Enough! Fifty cents! You don't
reckon
Before the man with the stake could
say another word he was confronted
with the muzzle of the pistol, turned
from the bishops head toward his own.
tsLeave that watch be and put back
the money too. This is the bishop We've
held up-the bishop! Do you hear %
ssAnd what of it? The president of
the United States wouldn't be too good
to hold up IT,
ST say, you put the money back. OF
In Eve minutes I'll blow hole through
your head that'll let in more sense than
you have to spare now. said the other.
For a second the man with the stake
seemed to hesitate at this strange turn
in events, as if measuring his compan-
ion s intention Then he hastily drop
ped the money back into the bishops
pocket
.sYoa can take your hands down.
SIR The man with the weapon low
cred it slowly. still keeping an eye on
the other man and speaking with rough
respect The bishop slowly brought his
arms to his side and looked earnestly at
the two men In the dim light it was
difficult to distinguish features He was
evidently free to go his way now. but
he stood there. making no movement.
ssYou can go on. You needn't stay
any longer on our account. The man
who had acted as spokesman turned and
sat down on a stone The other man
stood viciously digging his stake into
the ground
That's just what m staying for. "
renlied the bishop He sat down on a
board that projected from the broken
fence.
..You must like our company 1t is
hard sometimes for people to tear them
selves away from US. the man stand
ing up said laughing coarsely.
s.ShUt cp!' exclaimed the other,
Were on the road to he'll. though:
that's sure enough We need better
company than ourselves and the devil. :,
eff you would only allow me to be
of any help The bishop spoke gen
tly, even lovingly The man on the
stone stared at the bishop through the
darkness. After 4 moment of silence lie
spoke slowly. like one who had finally
decided upon a course he had at first
rejected
..Do you remember ever seeing me
before!'
40. said the bishop. The light is
not very good, and l have really not
had good look at you.
DO you know me now" The man
suddenly took eff his hat ard. getting
up from the stone, walked over to the
bishop until they We're near enough to
touch each other.
The mans hair was coal black, ex-
cept enc spot on the top Of his head
abo1t IS large as the palm Of the hand.
which was whlIe.
The minute the bishop saw that he
started. The memory OF - years ago
began TO stir in HIM. The man helped
him
Don't you remember one day back
in 81 or Sc q man came to your house
and told a story about his wife and
child having been burned to death IN a