The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-17
POLLY'S
HIGUWAYMAN.
How a Girl Carried a Pistol,
Prevented a Robbery aud
Befriended the Robber.

ooooCoCoooooO oooooooooooO
The Dcrringcr was the first object to
catch my eye when | glanced casually in
TO the pawnbroker's window. The little,
old fashioned pistol lay on square Of
black velvet between half u dozen watch
cs and tray of forfeited rings. Its han
die, delicatcly nlaid with silver; its stub
by barrel, cXquisitcly engraved, and the
abs,lrdly low price marked on the ticket
beside it all combined to make the pistol
a temptation beyond my resistance.
stepped within and made it mine, think
ing, as put down my money, of it hang
ing by n blue ribbon beneath the scimiter,
picked up by Polly heaven knows where
and how, that made warlikc one corner
Of her room.
When gave Polly the Dclringcr, she
was delighted. When spoke of the blue
ribbon, she shifted.
well. hardly. shall carry it," she
sad-"that is, on dark nights when go
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 it she did, again and again.
Once when | laughed at her she shrug-
ged her shoulders iudillerently and re-
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 pock-
ct of her long coat, took up her purse
md 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 aud fell in directly behind her.
Polly luickcned 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 II biti' lie asked grufiy.
Polly shrnnk from him In alarm. 81
haven't anything" she said hurriedly and
started to move rapidly away.
lie sprang about in front of her. "Give
me your pockctbook" 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
it directly in his face.
"Take your hands off, or I'll shoot"
she ordered.
The man hesitatcd, then stepped back.
Polly covered him with the pistol.
II just think I'll keep You here and call
for q policeman. Don't you try to run.
If you do, III shoot"
The man stood silent and unmovng.
Poly looked him over Indignantly.
"Now, aren't you ashamed Of yourself,
you great, big man, to try to hold up
womanT she demanded. "You wanted
money, of course. Well, why didn't you
try to take it from a man, thcn-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
gedly. 81 couldn't take it from man.
amt strong enough"
ooh, come, now. You look big and
strong"
yes, but when a man don't cat
Polly saw his shoulders 90 up.
You're hungry" There was a sud
den note Of concern in her voice.
II amt carin about myself" he said
indiffcrently. Then he added, pulling his
hat down over his eyes, ITS the kids
and-and-hcr."
ooh, there's wife and children" said
Polly softly, and the Derringcr 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" lie spoke bitterly. 1--WE been
tryin for weeks. tried all today. l
couldn't 60 hCme without money and see
them, so p lie spread wide his arms.
"Oh. don't give a. lie caught
himself up sharply, then laughed reck-
lessly. cts all up. Shoot or turn me
over to copper"
Polly gazcd at his vague form for full
minute. Then the Dcrringcr fell to her
side, and she spoke decidedly:
Come down here TO the corner where
there's 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 long face
that had been untouched by razor for n
week, a hagg0rd 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 it became Its ally. The coal Was
buttoned, and q 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.
manded roughly, what are you askin me
these questions for? 1t amt none Of
your business"
"Oh. yes, but It u.s." Polly returned
confidently. "You see, I want to know.
You said they hadn't anythins-they
were hungry
Again the head nodded. "And she's
sick" he added briefly.
"fou were trying to steal for themT
81 couldn't let 'em starvc," he return
cd alphabetically. yet defantly.
"Of course not. You did Just right,
The man thatll steal for his wife and ba.
bics il they're hungry Is enough better