The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-01-24
POLLY'S
HIGIIWAYMAN.
How a Girl Carried Pistol,
Prevented a Robbery and
Befriended the Robber.

to the paWnbrokerS window. The little,
old fashioned pistol lay on a square of
black velvet between half a dozen watch
es and tray of forfeited rings. Its han
die, delicately inlaid with silver its stub
by barrel, exqusitely engraved, and the
absurdly low price marked on the ticket
beside it all combined to make the pistol
temptation beyond my resistance.
stepped within and made it mine, think
ing, as 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 shifted.
well, hardly. | shall carry it," she
said-"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 indifferently 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 a peck
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
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 fellow
out a bit?" he asked gruiily.
Polly shrank from him in alarm. 81
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
I 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 cher by the left shoulder and at
tempted to put a hand over her mouth
She slipped out the Derringer and thrust
it directly in his face.
'"Take your hands off, or III shoot"
she ordered.
The man hestated, then stepped back
Polly covered him with the pistol.
81 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 unmoving.
Polly looked 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 il from man. then-some
one of your own size?"
Polly could see that one foot was
scraping uneasiy on the sidewalk and
that he was looking down.
81 had to have money" he said dog
gedy. 81 couldn't take it from 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 a sud
den note of concern in her voice.
/ 81 amt carin about myself" he said
indifferently. Then he added pulling his
hat down over his eyes. ats the kids
! and-and-her."
"Oh, 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. "I've been
tryin for weeks. | tried all today.
I 81 Al. 4
them. so p He spread wide his arms.
| "Oh, don't give az He caught
himself up sharply. then laughed reck-
lessly. ITS 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 feeble effort to overcome the
darkness Then Polly saw long face
that had been untouched by razor for
week. a haggard face. with sunken eyes,
and checks and chin that had begun to
lroop. 1t was the face of a broken and
starved man, and the look of recklessness
upon it 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.
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 it 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 we're trying to steal for them"
81 couldn't let 'em starve." he return
ed apologetically, yet defantly.
"Of course not You did just right
The man that'll steal for his wife and ba-
bies if they're hungry is enough better
than the mao that won't" She nodded
her head at him approvingly.
He stared at her in wonderment, and
his loosely hung underjaw dropped down.
"You think so-reallyY' he asked slowly.
"Why, of course"
"And-and if yon had wife and some
kids you'd steal for emp He was much
in earnest.
IF | had a wife and some kids, I'd
steal for them," Polly returned promptly.
THAT is, if they were hungry. OF course
would"
The man scraped one foot upon the