The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-10
POLLY'S
HIGHWAYMAN.
How q Girl Carried a Pistol, /.
Prevented O Robbery and
Befriended the Robber.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,


catch my ere when glanced casually in
to the pawnbroker's window. The little,
old fashioned pistol lay on a square of
black velvet between half dozen watch
es and tray Of forfeited rings. Its ham
die, delicately inlaid with silver; its stub
by barrel. exquisitely engraved. and the
absurdly low price marked on the ticket
beside II all combined to make the pistol
q temptation beyond my resistance. /
stepped within and made it mine, think
ing, as put down my money, Of 1t hang
ing by blue ribbon beneath the scimiter.
picked up by Polly heaven knows where
and how, that made warlike one corner
of her room.
When l gave Polly the Derringer, she
was delighted. When spoke Of the blue
ribbon. she shifted.
well, lardly. shall carry it." she
said-''that is, on dark nights when ! go
out alone"
But it won't shoot" objected. "The
nipples broken"
ut will scare. and that's just as good.
] shall carry It."
And carry ii she did, again and again.
Once when ] laughed at her she shrug-
turned:
! You can laugh now, but Just wait.
Something will happen some time, and
I'll be glad had It."
Polly slipped the Derringer into a pock
ct OF her long coat, took up her purse
and the letters she intended mailing and
marched down into the darkness of the
street. She had not gone over half a
square toward the drug store, whittier
she was bound for stamps, when dark
figure emerged from an alley she was
passing and fell in directly behind her.
Polly quickened her pace. and her right
hand slipped down into the pocket of her
coat and found comfort In grasping the
pistols butt. The man .slouched up be-
side her.
"Please, lady, could You help a fellow
out bit?" he asked gruffiy.
Polly shrank from him In alarm. Il
haven't anything" she said hurriedly and
started to move rapidly away. !
He sprang about In front of her. give
me your pocketbook!' he demanded, max
ing an attempt to snatch it. But Polly
was on her guard and thrust the hand
that held the purse behind her back. He
seized her by the left shoulder and at
tempted to put hand over her mouth.
She slipped out the Derringer and thrust
1t directly In his face.
.sTake your hands of, or III shoot"
she ordered.
The man hesitated, then stepped back.
Polly covered him with the pistol.
II just think I'll keep you here and caIl
for a policeman. Don't you try to run.
II you do III shoot!'
The man stood silent and unmoving.
Polly looked him over Indignantly.
"Now. aren't you ashamed of yourself,
you great, big man, to try to hold up
woman?" she demanded. you wanted
money, of course. Well, why didn't you
try to take II from q man, then-some
one of your own size?"
Polly could see that one foot was
scraping uneasily on the sidewalk and
that he was looking down.
II had to have money" he said dog
gedy. 81 couldn't take it from a man.
! amt strong enough"
"Oh. come, now. You look big and
strong"
"Yes, but when man don't eat
Polly saw his shoulders go up.
you're hungry There was sud
den note of concern in her voice.
II amt carin about myself" he said
indifferently. Then he added, pulling his
hat down over his eyes, Its the Kids
and-and-her."
"Oh, there's a wife and children" said
Polly softly, and the Derringer went
down until It was pointing at the mans
knees. why don't you work.
"Why don't l work? I've tried to get
work." He spoke bitterly. 1--WE been
tryin for weeks. l tried all today. /
couldn't go home without money and see
them, 50 r. He spread wide his arms.
"Oh, l don't give a. He caught
himself up sharply, then laughed reek-
lessly. "It's all up. Shoot or turn me
over to a copper"
Polly gazed at his vague form for full
minute. Then the Derringer fell to her
side, and she spoke decidedly:
Come down here to the corner where
there's a street lamp. / want to see your
face. oh, you've got to come, you know"
she added, seeing that he hesitated.
He moved forward. and, side by side,
they walked to where a gas lamp was
making a feeble effort to overcome the
darkness. Then Polly saw a long face
that had been untouched by razor for a
week, a haggard face, with sunken eyes,
and cheeks and chin that had begun to
droop. 1t was the face of broken and
starved man, and the look of recklessness
upon II became Its ally. The coat was
buttoned. and a pin held the collar clsse-
~ about the neck.
"You say there are wife and Children
Polly asked slowly.
He nodded But. see here" he de
manded roughly, what are you askin me
these questions for? 1t amt none OF
your business"
"Oh. yes, but II is" Polly returned
confidently "You see, ! want to know
You said they hadn't anything-they
were hungry"
Again the head nodded. "And she's
sick" he added briefly.
"You were trying to steal for them?"
81 couldn't let 'ep starye." he return
ed apologetically, yet defantly.
"Of course not. You did just right
The man that'll steal for his wife and ba
bies IL they're hungry is enough better
than Tue ...au tbas won't" She nodded
her head at hip approvingly.
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