Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-03-29
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES:
J POLLY'S HIGHW AYMhN ;
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llIIUIIII Hll MI II square OF DlacK
~ feited rings. Its
handle, dclicately inlaid with silver,
its stubby barrel, exquisitely en-
graved, and the absurdly low price
marked on the ticket beside it com
bined to make the pistol temptation
beyond my resistance. 1 stepped
within and made it mine, thinking, as
put down my money, of it hanging
by blue ribbon beneath the scimitar
picked up 10y Polly heaven knows
where and how, that made warlile
one corner of her room.
When [ gave Polly the derringer
she was delighted. When L spoke of
the blue ribbon she shifted.
"Well, hardly. I shall carry it," she
said. ''That is, on dark nights when
L go out alone"
"But it won't Shoot" 1 objected.
'"The nipples broken"
''It will scare, and that's just as
good. I shall carry it,"
And carry it she did, again and
again. Once when laughed at her
she shrugged her shoulders indiffer-
emily and returned
"You can laugh now, but just wait.
Something will happen some tim
and I'll be glad 1 had it."
Polly slipped the derringer into /,
pocket 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 block toward the
drug store, whittier she was bound
for stamps, when a 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 behind her.
"Please, lady, could you help
fellow out bit?" he asked grufliy.
Polly shrank from him in alarm.
ST haven't anything" she said, hur-
riedly, and started to move rapidly
away.
He sprang about in front of her.
"Give me your pocketbook, he de-
manded, making 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 attempted TO
put hand over her mouth. She
slipped out the derringer and thrust
it directly into his face.
Take off your hands or I'll shoot" >"
she ordered.
The man hesitated, then stepped
back. Polly covered him with the
pistol.
'I just think I'll keep you here and
call for policeman. Don't you try
to run. If you do I'll shoot"
The man stood silent and unmov-
ing.
Polly looked him over Indignantly.
snow, aren't you ashamed of your
self, you great big man, to try to
hold up a woman?" she demanded.
"You wanted money, of course.
Well, why didn't you take it from Il
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.
81 had to have money" he said,
doggedly. "I couldn't take it from u
mani amt strong enough"
"Oh, come, now. You look big and
strong"
eyes, but when a man don't eat
Polly saw his shoulders go up.
you're hungry?" There was n
sudden note of concern in her voice.
81 amt carin' about myself" he
said, indiIlerently. Then he added,
pulling his hat down over his eyes:
"It's the kids and-and-her."
ooh, there's 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. GIVE
been tryln' ior weeks. L tried all to-
day. 1 couldn't go home without
money and see them, so 7" He
spread wide his arms. "Oh, I don't
give rap" He caught himself up
sharply, then laughed recklessly.
"It's all up. Shoot or tura me over
to copper"
Polly gazed at his vague form for a
full minute. Then the derringer fell
to her side, and she spoke decidedly,
"Come down here to the corner
where there's street lamp. I 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 feeble effort to overcome the
darkness. Then Polly saw long face