The Monticellonian., 1903-10-29

aim, but he pressed the muzzle of the re- yolver against the body of the man in front of him and pulled on the trigger. The weapon clicked, and before Mir. Thompkins could pull the trigger again he received blow on the head from a cane that knocked him down. The two men sprang at him with upraised canes, 1 but one of them exclaimed:
 Why, it's old Thompkins. What do | you mean by attempting to assassinate me, you yillain?"
 Help, Policei" shouted Thompkins Then he recognized in the two men his neighbors, pr. Pil1em and MT Hooter.
 What does this outrage mean?" de- manded MT Hooter Why, Thompkins, l if your revolver hadn't missed fire you would have been a murderer"
 q thought you were footpads," said MT Thompkins. meekly.
 Do footpads wear silk hats? Dark as the night was you should have recog- nized our hats. Besides the street lights here give enough light to have enabled you to see who we were. ;"
 q wasn't looking" said Mir. Thomp- kins. Tn fact, was sort of expecting to be held up and I was ready"
 You were a little bit too ready" com mented Mir. Hooter. You can thank your lucky stars that you didn't kill any body or get killed yourself.
 The two men, without saying good night. walked away, and MT Thompkins rubbed the lump on his head raised by the doctors cane and had mind to go home, but finally decided to carry out his appointed mission of staying foot pads. So he kept on.
 Two blocks away and weazened in- dividual was seen standing under lamp post
 'Ah, there is one of the outcasts of a great city" thought MT. Thompkins. He hasn't even ten cents to buy bed in lodging house But I'll not encourage mendicaney Drink or gambling has brought him to this and I will reprove him as he deserves and perhaps point wholesome moral"
 My lad" said MT. Thompkins, you should not be abroad at this time of night, frightening unoffending citizens. Why are you not at home?"
 ''I 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 ehild?" inquired MT Thompkins.
 Hes tip dat alley" said the wanderer
 T will go and look at him immediate ly. Lead the way" Mir Thompkins and his guide walked up a dark alley until they were some 50 feet from the street Then MT Thompkins suddenly realized that the cold muzzle of a revolver was pressed firmly against his cheek.
 Put up your hans" commanded the wanderer Mir Thompkins obeyed with wonderful celerity.
 Now den, you ole fool :" said the wan derer. keep 'em up while helps myself MT. Thompkins shook like an aspen leaf and piteously begged the wanderer to remove the pistol. but the revolver was kept pressed against his cheek while the wanderer with wonderful dexterity took MT. Thompkins' watch. pocketbook else. Then he made the trembling Thompkins take off his coat, vest and hat, and hand them over.
 Now. gimme yer shoes'
 Mir. Thompkins hurriedly sat down and pulled off his shoes.
 Now sit dere, an don you move fer an hour" commanded the footpad as he backed away.
 The footpad had reached the end of the al nd iy | ha ;nb+ os ,bo 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 against his head. Then MT Thompkins 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
 Mir Thompkins hurriedly obeyed. and the robber was soon nicely trussed up
 "I think he ought to be hung right here" said MT. Thompkins. who had sud denly grown brave. We caught him, all right"
 Where are your shoes?s 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 gun" ventured MT. Thomp- kins.
 But you had two Mir 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 MT. Thompkins.
 Yes, MT Thompkins. call the police. This will make a fine story for the pa pers"
 MT. Thompkins rneekly gathered his valuables together and sneaked home behind his wife
 He has gone out of the footpad staying business.-Chicago Tribune.