The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-10-04
a MAN
OF GALL
fcopyriKht, l902. 81 G. ., Lewis. ]

tereSt In other peoples business was
only eQualed by his clsInterestedness
in his own Affairs His next most
prominent trait was persistence. Once
lot him get an idea Of obllgins friend
into his head aud he would stick Ike
an adhesive plaster.
John Furd was in the burglar alarm
business had no sooner met him
than he proposed 20 connect me with
the nearest engine house and police
s,ntlon. managed to shake him OF,
but the next night stumbled over him
lying IN the grass on my grounds. He
nnde up cock and bull story about
seeing a light In the bushes and felt IL
his duty to investigate, ending with.
Lets go into the house aud have
something to drink and smoke"
meant TO take that man By the
uecti and heels and throw him over
the fence. bur didn't | went I'm and
drank and smoked with him instead
His monumental gall dnzod mo- and
made me subservient.
w1s hardly clear Of It's influence
next day when went to my safe to
consult a memorandum. In doing 50
moved a bundle OF legal papers In
trusted to my caro- by friend, and all
OF n sudden my suspicious were
aroused against ar. Ford. Those pa
pers represented a bitter legal fight
wherein large amount Of property
was involved WINS AIR. Ford's mis-
sion 10 get possession Of them? After
an hours reflection decided that 1t
was. did not rush on to the police
after coming 20 this conclusion, nor
did I hire mon TO guard tho house. l
simply took tbs papers 10 a safe de-
posIt vauh and then bought bear.
trap. This trap SGT directly in front
Of the safe, which stood in recess In
the wall, and the chain was padlocked
TO leg Of IT. h;pd feoIing that Sir.
Ford would return. Not only would
he return to the grounds, but effect en-
trnnee TO the house In hopes To get
into the safe. Even aftw seven days
md nights had passed that beartrap
yawnsd for him. and did BOt weary
or well doing
II was on the eighth night that the
man OF gall arrived. II was half an
hour after midnight whcn he forced
open one Of the French windows and
entered the library. He knew the lay
of things. He stepPed straight course
foy that safe and put his foot INTO the
trap us ha was about TO sink on his
knees before the door. There was one
yeIl and no move. but in response To it
.James md dressed and came down.
NJ. Ford was present. Ho WINS seated
ON the floor, with the jaws Of che trap
fast about his keft leg, and he vas not
looking happy.
Good evening Mr.. Ford" sud as
I set the lamp down and took a chair
In front of him.
"Aiy dear toy" he replied as he
worked up smile. 'ff have disturbed
you at this unseemly hour AN sin
cerely sorry for IT."
.-Oh. not 1T NIL"
"Being n victim OF insomnia and be
ing extra wakeful ut night, strolled
this way hoping 10 find yn up and
have a lfttlP chat with You
Exactly. And not finding me upF-
~ took the liberty OF entering to get
n glass OF sherry AMI one q your CT
CARS. II ym think displayed! too
much EeaL can only beg your par
don. have felt at bone hero ever
since the hrst dny. you know"
You are certainly welcome" re
piled did YOU ind V;hat you want
edT'
Not exactly"
lanes, u glass of Vine and a cigar
for Mr.. Ford and you may retire. An
other glass, Ny. Ford? Then ! will
smoke With you. so you are troubled
with insomnia|'
II have been for months. know OF
nothing to shutter the nerves quicker.
That sherry Of yours is excellent
Yes. i is called fair"
And these cigars have no superior"
"ThaukS,"
knew the man to be suffering ago
mics. Ln the only sign he betrayed
was the prrSplration on bis forehead
He Leaned on his elbow aud pulled
away is il in IOunging chair and for
halt IN tour we conversed on various
topics Then admiration tor his nerve
and pity for his sufferings got the bet
ter OF me. ana said:
Il beg pardon. Mr.. Ford, but you
seem 70 have queer attachment TO
your Lex there. Does it make you
uncomfortable"
We'll. slightly 50; bur don't trouble
Yourself"
Indeed. but you must permit me.
Let me also throw open the door OF the
safe and call your attention 10 the
fact that the papers concerning the
case OF Robbins versus Tones are here
no longer. will call James"
When James came in answer. we
pried the Jaws Of the hcartrap open
and assisted Mr.. Ford 10 chair. He
occupied It for quarter Of an hour
before observing that he felt bit
sleepy and would return to his lOdS-
ings.
Il trust Your call has been pleasant
one" said as assisted him to hobbie
TO the door
you have left nothing undone." he
replied.
'DroD in ognIn whenever you can.