Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-11-06


kins. I'm fact, 1 was sort of expecting
to be held up and was ready"
you were little bit too ready" COM
mented Mr.. Hooter. You can thank
your lucky stars that you didn't kill any
body or get killed yourself"
The two men. without sayizg good
night, walked away, and Mr.. ThoElpEsls
rubbed the lump on his head raised by
the. doctors cane and had a mind to go
home, but finally decided 20 carry out
his appointed mission of Staying foot
pads. So he kept ca.
Two blocks away and a weakened in
dividua1 was seen sanding under lamp
post.
"Ah, there is one of the outcasts Of a
great city" thought Mr. Thompkins.
He hasn't even ten cents to buy bed in
a lodging house. But1'll not encourage
mendicancy. Drink or gambling has
| brought him to this and / will reprove
| him as he deserves and perhaps point
wholesome moral"
''My lad" said Mr.. Thompkins, you
should not be abroad at this time OF
night, frightening unoffending citiz-ns.
Why are you not at homer
Il hain't a skeerin' anybody" said the
wanderer, beginning to whimper my
little brudder he's sick an can't get him
home
Where is the child?" inquired Mr.
Thompkins.
He's up dat alley" said the wanderer
| 81 will go and look at him Immediate
| ly. Lead the way" Mr.. Thompkins and
his guide walked up dark alley unit;
they were some so feet from the street
Then Mr.. Thompkins suddenly realized
that the cold muzZle of a revolver was
pressed firmly against his cheek.
''Put up your hans" commanded the
wanderer. Mr.. Thompkins obeyed with
wonderful CELEBRITY.
Nov, den, you ole FOOL said the wan
derer, keep 'em up while helps myself
Mr.. Thompkins shook like an aspen lea,
and piteously begged the wanderer tt
remove the pistol, but the revolver wa,
kept pressed against his cheek while the
wanderer, with wonderful dexterity
| took Mr.. Thompkins watch, pocketbook
| gold glasses, revolvers and everything
else. Then he made the trembling
ThOmpkins take off his coat, vest ant
hat, and hand them over.
Nov, gimme yer Shoes"
Mr.. Thompkins hurriedly sat down and
| pulled off his shoes.
| Nov sit dere, an dom you move fer an
| hour" commanded the /footpad as he
backed away.
| The footpad had req ched the end of the
alley and stood in the light Of the street
lamp, looking up the alley for moment
Then something swatted him over the
head and he went down. He dropped his
pistol, and it was grabbed up and put
! a. in OF ut,
heard the voice of his wife bidding him
come and help tie the footpad up and to
go for the police while she stood guard.
Mr.. Thompkins hurriedly obeyed, and
the robber was soon nicely trussed up
II think he ought to be hung right
here" said Mr. Thompkins, who had sud-
denly grown brave. I'VE caught him, all
\ right
| Where are your shoes 2" asked Mrs
Thompkins, coldly.
"Why, why, he has them, my dear"
"And your coat, and vest, and re-
volvers, and the other things
'Why, pet, he-he took them away
from me-"
What? That child? That little
child?'
"He had c gun" ventured Mr.. Thomp-
kins.
But you had two. Mr. Thompkins,
get your property and we will go home
and leave this footpad to get loose or
stay here until morning."
But shan't we even call the police"
asked Mr.. Thompkins
Yes, Mr.. Thompkins, call the police.
This will make a fine story for the pa
pers.'
| Mr. ThOmnlzins rneal,Iv ootha-ad r..
valuables together and sneaked home
behind his wife.
He has gone out of the footpad Staying
business.-Chicag Tribune.