Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-13
HELD UP.

so dark that 1t seemed to Granville
that there hung down from his hat
brim an intangible black curtain
through which here and there feebly
suffering electric lights had burned
holes. Down through this enveloping
curtain the rain beat furiously.
"Just the proper night for a hold
up" thought Granville, as he swung
from the car and raised his umbrella.
Bending forward and holding the
umbrella down in front of him, he
pushed his way against the charge Of
wind and rain. From the street cor
ner he knew the way to his room as a
blind pianist knows his keyboard, so
the fact that for sight the world ended
at the tip Of his eyelashes made no
difference to him.
As he pushed through the solid
blackness Of the night the story he had
been reading in the newspaper revert
ed to him, and the thought of 1t
brought him neither comfort nor Quie-
tude. A sudden depression the side
walk told him that he was passing an
alley. Instinctlvely he turned his UNI
brella toward its mouth.
As the distance to his room grew
less his uneasiness subsidized. When he
reached the corner half a block away
from dry clothes and a bed 1t had com
pletely died away. The expected had
become unexpected-so it happened.
Just as he turned the corner some
thing hurled itself against him. His
umbrella left his hand and Joined the
wind. Staggering, he threw out one
arm. 1t found and clasped about the
neck of a man. In the same instant an
arm clenched him about the neck.
you won't get a cent out of me.
Not a cent" gasped Granville between
closed teeth. "You tackled the wrong
man this time"
Granville's voice was brave enough
but there was a feeling down to the
left of the second button Of his vest
that gave the lie to 1t. But he had
heard that a valiant front availed
much in encounters with gentlemen Of
of road. SO he doubled up his fist and
struck nightly at the head of the 9th
err man. The blow went home, and
from the concave feeling of the spot
where, his fist first struck Granville
knew he had found an eye. The knowl-
edge brought joy to his heart, but the
Joy Immediately departed, for there
came blow on his chin that made
him forget everything but a desire
for blood.
He struck out wildly, and the pain
of his knuckles was a pleasure. But
the hOld-up man was not asleep. His
fists-and they were heavy ones
found Granville just below the ear, in
the neck, in the cheeks, and pommeled
his chest without mercy. Then the two
clinched and both went to the pave
ment. The hold-up man broke away,
scrambled to his feet and disappeared
in the darkness. Granville rolled from
the sidewalk into the gutter-water.
Suffering he threw outa hand, which
fell upon his hat. Grasping this he
got up.
When he reached the room Billy
was sitting with his coat of, unlacing
his shoes. Billy's hair was tumbled,
and his coat, which was hanging on
the back Of chair, was soaked.
Been held up" announced Gran.
vile without prelude.
"What's that?" Billy raised up and
half way turned about.
Held up repeated Granville.
"You don't say! SO have II" ex-
claimed Billy.
"What, you, too" Granville paused,
with overcoat half of, and looked at
him incredulously.
Il should say l have-and punched
up, too. Don't I look like III"
Billy turned about so that the other
side Of his face came into view.
well, | guess you do! Heavens,
man, what an eye."
at doesn't look very foxy" agreed
Billy, gazing ruefully into the mirror.
But the other fellows face must look
like a raw Hamburg steak. Did the
fellow that tackled you get anything"
"Not a thing"
Here, either?'
Except" corrected Granville, 'the
few l gave him."
"You punched him, did you? Good.
I handed mine all he wanted. Cad!
Ny fist feels as II I'd been breaking
bricks with It"
Billy felt his knuckles sympathetic