The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-02-09
POLLY'S
HIGHWAYMAN.
How q Girl Carried b Pistol,
Prevented a Robbery and
BeTriended the Robber,

o Prevented q Robbery and n
Q Befriended the Robber. o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The Derringer was the first object to
catch my eye when l 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 il all combined to make the pistol
temptation beyond my resistance. !
stepped within and made it mine, think
Ing. as l put down my money, of it hang
ing by a blue ribbon beneath the scimiter,
picked up by Polly heaven knows where
and how, that made warlike one corner
Of her room.
When ! gave Polly the Derringer, she
was delighted. When spoke Of the blue
ribbon. she smiled.
well. hardly. shall carry it," she
said-'that is. on dark nights when / 90
out alone"
But it won't shoot" / objected. "The
nipples broken.
1T will scare, and that's just as good
! shall carry it."
And carry 1t she did. again and again
Once when | laughed at her she shrug-
ged her shoulders indiffercptly and re
turned:
You can laugh now. but just wait
Something will happen some time. and
Ill be glad had it,"
Polly slipped the Derringer into n peck
ct Of her long coat. took up her purs,
and the letters she intended mailing anC
marched down into the darkness of the
street. She had not gone over half i
square toward the drug store, whittier
she was bound for stamps, when a darh
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 he
coat and found comfort in Ernsping the
pistols butt. The man slouched up be
side her.
"Please. lady, could you help fellow
out bit?" he asked gruiliy.
Polly shrank from him in alarm. al
haven't anything" she said hurriedly and
started to move rapidly away.
He sprang about in front of her. give
uie yOuE ut
ing an attempt to snatch it. But Poll!
was ON her guard and thrust the hand
that held the purse behind her back. III
seizrd her by the left shoulder and at
tempted to put IL hand over her mouth
She slipped ont the Derrngcr and thrust
1t directly in his face.
Take your hands of, or III shoot"
she ordered.
Tho hnSifo4nI fhnr Stonr,ri hacl:
Polly covered him with the pistol.
Il just think I'll keep you here and cal,
for n policeman. Don't you try to run
If you do. III shoot
The man stood silent and unmoving.
Polly lookrG him over Indignantly
snow. 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 it from man. then-somr
one Of your own Size?
Polly could see that one foot was
scraping uncasily ON the sidewalk and
that he was looking down.
Il had to have money" he said dog
gcdly. 81 couldn't take it from q man.
I amt strong enough"
"Oh. come, now. You look big and
strong"
Eyes, but when a man don't eat
Polly saw his shoulders 90 up.
you're hungry There was a sud
den note Of concern In her voice.
81 amt carin about myself" he said
indiffcrcntly. Then he added. pulling his
hat down over his eyes. "It's the kids
and-and-her."
"Oh. there's n 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 work? I've tried to get
work" He spoke bitterly. i've been
tryin for weeks. tried all today. ]
couldn't go home without money and see
them, so u He spread wide his arms.
"Oh. l don't give a. He caught
himself up sharply. then laughed reck,
lcssly. ATS all up. Shoot or turn me
over to a copper"
Pslly gazed at his vague form for full
minute. Then the Dcrrngcr 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 gas lamp was
making a feeble effort to overcome the
darkness. Then Polly saw long face
that had been untouched by razor for
week. a hnggard face. with sunken eyes.
and cheeks and n chin that had begun to
droop. 1t was the face of a broken and
starved man, and the look OF rccklessness
upon il became its ally. The coat was
buttoned. and . pin held the collar close
ly about the neck.
"You say there are wife and children|'
Polly asked slowly.
lie nodded. But. see here" he de-
mandod roughly. what are you askin me
these questions for? 1t amt none Of
your business"
"Oh. ycs. but 1t is" Polly returned
confidently. "You see. want to know,
You snid they hadn't anything-they
were hungry"
Again the head nodded. And she's
sick" be added briefly.
"You were trying to steal for them?'
81 couldn't lot 'em starve," he return
cd apologetically. yet defiantly.
"Of course not. You did just right.
The man that'li steal for his wife and ba
bes IL they're hungry is enough better
than the man that won't" She nodded
her head at him approvingly.
He stared at her in wonLerment. and
his loosely hung undcrjaw dropped down.
"You think so-rrally!" lie asked slowly.
"Why. of course"
"And-and if You had wife and some
kids you'd steal for 'ein?" lie WAS much
in earnest.
"If had vie and some kids. I'd
steal for thyIn," Polly rctErn2d promptly.
THAT is, if they were hungry. OF course
l would"
The man scrancd one foot upon the
pavement ncrvoEsly. Then yoa think
aint so bad"
"Bad?" Polly spoke enthusiastically.
"Why. you're COED. You're iiar!'
He stared at her with the lo0'; Of one
who canIot understand. We'll, you're i