The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-11
Honor Among Thieves
BY EDWIN PuGB

Mr.. Bunny Price and his friend Will
liam Withers, lounged in the saloon
bar of the Old Moon, drinking socially
together. They were two gentlemen
we'll known to the police, and each had
passed the major portion Of his career
within the walls Of one or other of his
majesty's prisons. They measured time
by the length of the various sentences
they had undergone, in reminiscent
moods speaking of events as happen
ing Just afore I did that stretch for
claiming" or soon after I got
that there skier for measly madam"
They We're both middle-aged men:
Bunny Price, whose speciality was card
sharping, but who dabbIed in most
other forms Of Illicit enterprise, was a
stoutly built little man, well dressed
and We'll spoken; William Withers was
a small man, too, but of a more wien
ed exterior, and lacking the easy car
rla3e and ready address of his com
panlon- He was, SO to express it.
merely journeyman criminal, and had
no administrative genius whatever. BY
the shortness of Mr.. Bunny's hair and
his smoothly shaver face, it was plain
to see that he had net long come out of
prison; William Withers, on the other
hand, showed plentiful crop of griz-
zled locks under his greasy hatbrim.
and he had a full set of whiskers.
and so that's the last bit of silver
you possess?" said Mr.. Price, with a
sigh.
William Withers, pushing a half
crown piece across the counter toward
the barmaid, remarked: That's the
last bit o. wedge" and he ordered two
bitters, with a dash of melancholy. and
Burton.
They drank as if they were perform
ing a painful duty.
Can't you think O. nothing?" asked
William Withers, at last
That's what Pm thinking Of" re-
piled Mr.. Price. my heads a fair
aching void with thinking Of it."
We'll, we can't afford to go on bein'
honest much longer" said William
Withers.
Il know that as well as you do" said
Mr.. Price, irritably. ''Why don't Won
say something helpful?"
Nov you're asl1in' me a question"
William Withers rejoined
They were silent for a space. Then
the swinging door of the bar was sud-
denly pushed open, and a man Iurched
in upon them. He was big and burly.
had fat inf1amed face, and wore a
suit Of raucous checks. At sight Of
him William Withers uttered an in
voluntary cry of JOY and Mr.. Bunny
Price, in a transport, muttered: tits
like an answer to preyer!"
The newcomer, without looking at
them, walked unsteadily to the bar.
Mr.. Price winked at William Withers.
and, moving over to the strangers side, /
touched him on the shoulder.
How do, Mister -?'' he was be- |
ginning. in a soft voice.
But the other wheeled round swiftly, |
and checked him. Keep off my name.
can't you?' he whispered fercely, scan
ming them both with keen eyes. ooh,
it's you, is it?" he added, scowIing.
"Weu?"
You'll shake hands, Mr.. Jones?" said |
Mr.. Bunny Price, overwhelmingly.
The stranger looked puzzled for an |
instant; then he grinned. with pleas
ure, Mr.. Smith," said he; "and"-turn- |
ing to William Withers-''how is Mr.. |
Brown. eh?" The grin broadened into
q laugh. 'Whatu you have?" he cried. !
Here! throw that muck away you're !
drinkin' and have a brandy and soda
WI me, old friends. Both of you Come
on, now. Three brandies and a large
soda between, miss" he shouted, fling
ing down a sovereign.
William Withers looked at the money
greadily; but Mr.. Bunny Price contin-
ued to smile and regard Mr. Jones with
great good humor. "And how are you !
getting on in the world, Mr.. Jones?" he |
asked.
wouldn't call the queen my aunt"
said Mr.. Jones. Here's luck. Fill 'em |
UP agin, miss And how are you two |
dom, eh?''
Mr.. Bunny Price sighed. "a little |
short of ready cash just at present,
but very rich in IDEAS
ideas is three a penny nowadays
three a penny!" said Mr.. Jones, scorn- |
fully. 'Ideas!" He spat. Here, look |
at this" He pulled out a big handful |
of mixed coins, gold and silver. Bet |
ter than ideas, el?''
You've struck lucky, that's what |