Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-10-10
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private detective and business was bad
with him. He had gradually nursed
himself into state Of mind where he
believed that the world did not appre-
ciate him. When a man so believes,
the plot invariably begins to thicken
into an ominously fatal sort of stew.
One day as Billy sat in his room at
the "Grupelli" apartment house, he
peeled the following little sweet po-
tato of thought and threw it into the
simmering saucepan Of his additional
thought:
II must bring my detective ability
before the public in a way which will
make a marked impressiOn," said he.
He chopped up a logical turnip or
two, and thoughtfully stirred them in.
1.-THE public does not bring me its
private cases and so | cannot prove my
WORTH" he continued. II must there
fore fix up a case myself. Now there
are lot of rObberies going on in this
neighborhoOd, and the police seem help
less. Why can't whirl in and catch
these thieves"
Billy Hartley communed with him
self until he began to hate his own
company.
by the Great Guns of War! have
it." he finally exclaimed.
He wrote the following note:
| Dear Sir-If your representative
will be at the corner Of Broadway and
Eighth street tonight at IL O'Clock l
will hand him 500 as agreed. He
must have this letter to identify him,
ana the signal will be a sneeze."
Billy Hartley sealed this note, adj
dressed it to himself, and placed it on
a conspicuous part of his bureau. On
the envelope he added the words:
valuable. In haste"
Billy Hartley tiptoed to the window
and cautiously peered out. "Oh, if
the burglars would only call here and
find that letter." he murmured implor
ingly.
Billy Hartley tiptoed to the door and
listened intently. They'd go for the
500 and then we'd nab them sure"
he continued, in a sibilant whisper.
"Why, tt would make me famous
Billy Hartley picked up his hat and
opened the door. He shook an Omin-,
GUS finger with warning gesture LOT
absolute silence ana disappeared.
The worlds stage. Up in one of
the boxes sat Dame Fortune intelli-
gently following Hartley's little side
play.
"Now I'll just help this worthy young
man." remarked the Dame to herself,
and she settled costly down to see this
thing through
The worlds a stage. The actors are
ready. The prompter is at hand The
stringed instruments in the orchestra
are shivering out their trembliest mu
sic and thrilling detective mystery
rapidly begins to unfold itself.
1t was night. The stars shone bright.
Jimmy Short and Gus Simmons, at
tired in iireproachable evening dress.
wendell their devious way up West
Fofty-sixth street. They had an utter
disregard of the fight Of the crow
Their faces were bathed in an efful |
gent happiness. Their gestures were
Of the heroic size. They had all the |
enviable appearances Of having dined
to the tuneful accompaniment Of corks |
that pop and tinkling glass.
Occasionally Jimmy was stricken |
with CONFUSION Of apopletic merri |
ment. isn't it easy?" he whispered |
to his companion at these times.
"It's almost too easy" replied Gus. |
wagging his head In reflective man
ner.
The Bacchanalian procession of two |
stopped in front of the "Grupelli."
They assembled the steps. One Of them
lurched inside. The other sat down |
on the door step and softly wept as
he unlaced his shoes. A sophisticated
policeman smiled hdulgently as he
passed.
But now behold a curious thing. The |
method and manner of the reveller
who had lurched inside suddenly |
changed. His jag fell from him even
Is mantle. He rapidly entered all the
darkened rooms that were unlocked
and rapidly came out again. In a short
time he reappeared ut the street door |
and resumed his correct imitation of a
man on \ bat. He locked arms with
\ his watching companion on the steps |
and, striking up the chaste measure
of merry roundelay, they continued
their winding way to Sixth avenue.
where they disappeared.
In the Great Comedy of Life it is
the accepted fact that one man in his
time plays many parts, but it may
be remarked that things do not be.
come really interesting until some of
the players begin acting two different
parts at one and the same time.
When Billy Hartley returned to the
"Grupelli' that evening he found the
pace ringing with violent and singing
acclamations. 1t seemed us II nearly
etery room in the place had been
robbed. OrOtund oaths pulsated In and
out like Il passionate shuttle in some
highly speeded rhetorical loom. Curl
Gus curses perforated the peaceful
night and died away in an awed and
shuddering stiffness.
Up and down the halls fitted the
burglared ones, comparing notes and
lamenting their losses in stentorian
accents. The human Imagination is
never so healthy as during the discus
sion of robbery. Missing neckties
became full dress suits with money In
the pockets, and plfered scarfpins
were glorified into solid gold repeaters
presented to their inconsolable owners
for saving human lives.
Billy Hartley entered his room with
the tense feeling of gambler who
has staked everything on one card.
He noted with n hot glow of ca Tie foc !