Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-12
BENEDICT GORDON.
By REVERE RODGERS.
written for the SUNDAY GLosnl
cHAprER X

Everyone feels that Mr.. Stevens has at
last got a clew, aud this belief IS tostered
by the very knowing way in which the OLD
gentleman sets about his work. He places
ahe ladder against the house the crowd
hold their breath and a lady in the house
opposite faints as she realizes the terrible
recklessness Of Mr.. Stevens purpose,
while several small boys run down the road
crying at the top Of their thin treble voices
that Old Foxy is maxim ainwestiwation.
Mr.. Stephens wavers for moment and
then boldly places the ladder against the side
OF the house, vociferous applause he puts his
foot on the FIRST round tumultous applause;
he's on the second round thunderous APP
plause; he is on the third, the cheering is
indeed ear splitting but wait he mounts the
fourth round of the ladder, and collection
is Immediately taken up for his family, and
the old gentlemen in the crowd are shed
ding tears, and wondering why such young
Bucks" like Aaron Stevens should be so
utterly reckless.
Mr.. Stevens hesitates for moment and
then boldly put his foot upon the fifth and
last rung Of the ladder The crowd don't
dare to breathe at this new display Of
nerve. and the other members of the watch
wishing to come in for some share of the
applause, or perhaps all wishing to faint in
a BODY and do the thing right, range
themselves about the ladder with the mob
cheering madly at this hrotherly action one
their part.
The heroic peace guardian is now on
level with the window, and his eyes become
fixed upon some object within the room,
"Old Foxey's seed him." shrieked a boy,
and one old gentleman is seen to fall pros
trate into the gutter
NIr Stevens turns slowly around and
raises his band to euioiu silence, and
deathlke-like still immediately prevails;
but though the old gentleman did peer this
way and that way no ferocious murderer pre-
scented himself to view, and Mr.. Stevens,
after waiting a suitable length of time, de-
scended from his dangerous" position
amid oceans Of applause from his admir-
ing friends, and carelessly reported that he
was not t-ere.
How long these antiquated old peace
guardians would have continued their anus
ing antics will perhaps forever remain a
mystery, had not at this moment detach-
ment of Georgetown police, under the COM
mand of a brisk lieutenant appeared upon
the scene The Georgetown officers marched
up the stone steps and entered the
house. Becoming highly miffed at this
interference he was about to withdraw his
force from the premises when his attention
was attracted by an approaching carriage,
in which were seated an elderly lady and
gentleman apparently of middle age.
Upon the arrival of these persouages, Mr.
Wilkerson, the mayor, advanced hat in
hand. and in a solemn manner informed
them of the very thorough manner in which
he had carried on the investigation. And
though we have not exactly discovered the
assassins," proceeded the mayor, I'VE
think we have a clew, and are just about
now to withdraw to our station house to
consult upon the matter We will return
later" he continued "and make full re-
port, and with profound bow and a sig
nal to his assistants the aged mayor and his
tottering old imbeciles withdrew from the
scene. 1t is a matter of history though,
that during the night and day preceding, the
Tenalytown watch CALAMITY arrested two
old women, three small boys and an aged
and imbecile negro as being the principals,
or accessories, to the murder committed at
the Allwine Mansion. Watchman Stevens
was voted a medal by the Teually-
town Council for the bravery he
displayed on the occasion mentioned
here. but as a medal costs money,
and a paper setting torth the ueeo costs
comparatively nothing, he was given the
paper and promised the medal, which, il
is needless to mention, he never received
AS Mayor Wilkerson got along in age he be
came what is vulgarly termed cracked,
and he had a habit of going before the
Town Council several times a day and
solemly swearing that it was Mr.. Ste vens
who had committed the outrage at the All
wine mansion but as the council we're vel
aware of the fact that no respectable watch
man could possibly be expected to be awake
after the hour of nine o'clock the ex
mayors charges were listened to, but no
acted upon After vainly endeavoring t.
have Mr.. Stevens indicted for the crime the
ex-mayor one night shufled off this morta
coil. having reached the century mark, anC
the other members of the watch in turn
followed his laudible example, much to th'
joy Of their only victims, the very small
boy; and to the great sorrow of their onl,
admirers, the very old citizens. Oh! v
living nightmare to small plump urchins y
laughing stock Of all evil doers; ye heroes
of nfrm old ladies and gentlemen; ye are
happily obsolete in these days and being
gone, Cod bless you, and may we never SCI
thy like again
CHAPTER XI.