The Monticellonian., 1903-10-29
THOMPKINS DEALS WITH FOOTPADS 4

NTRS. THOMPKINS had been making WI calls in the afternoon. and at din ner she told the narrowing tale mar rated to her by Mrs. Timide of how MT. Timide had been held up by three masked bandits the night before and been forced to disgorge his watch and pocketbook.
 Tt was simply terrible, said Mrs. Thompkins. Mir. Timide had revolver, too, but it was three against one, and he was unprepared. and so they just helped themselves. Why, they took even the re- volver I just hope they'll catch those robbers and hang them. Poor MT. Timide. he was so braye-never fainted or anything"
 MT. Thompkins snorted. These peo- pie who get held up ought to be hung in- stead of the robbers. I'd like somebody to hold me up. just wish they would. There'd be few footpads up in Heaven right away. I'll tell you.
 Indeed, there wouldn't" said Mrs. Thompkins. indignantly
 "Woman! thundered MT. Thompkins, "do you doubt my bravery"
 No" responded Mrs. Thompkins, bravely. but determined to stand by her principles. But wouldn't the footpads -hum-go to the other place?"
 Well you know what I mean. Tbis thing of standing still and just request ing the footpads to kindly step up and help themselves and ask for anything they don't see is worse than foolish; it's criminal, that's what it Is"
 "Criminal?" asked Mrs Thompkins.
 "Yes, criminal-crimina because foot pads should be shot You cant shoot 'em on the street when you meet 'em down. town in daylight because you don't know they're footpads. The only time to shoot 'em is when they're in the act of foot padding. Being held up is something that an honest citizen should seek. be- cause it gives him the opportunity of knowing who the footpads are and re- moving them immediately from the earth"
 But perhaps there are too many of them. as in the ease of MT Timide," said Mrs. Thompkins.
 Don't care how many there are Of 'em. The more the merrier. A man out in the city late at night should be like an army in the presence of the enemy. He should be semper paratus-thats s Latin for always ready. He should have his revolver in his hand and his eyes peeled in every direction, and should treat every man as a suspicious charac- ter until he has proven himself friend. Mrs. Thompkin> there are so many fools like Timide browsing around the town at night encouraging the footpad indus try that brave men who know how to deal with these creatures should employ their midnight hours in going out and killin' them. I am going to sally forth tonight and slay few of these villains" !"
 Mrs. Thompkins pleaded in vain. MT. Thompkins practiced on the punching bag for an hour or two, read three chap ters on "The Manly Art of Self-Defense, :" end then, putting two revolvers in his pocket. started out. Mrs. Thompkins wept when he went away, and then, after sitting for awhile in silent thought, was filled with great resolve. and she put on her hat and cloak and followed
 Mir Thompkins walked down the street for four blocks. but saw no one. Then he turned and walked north, and through a vacant lot which was used as short cut between two streets.
 His head was down and he was deep in thought as to whether he should kill the footpad right off the reel or bind and gag him and send for the patrol wagon
 Suddenly he was aware that two men stood in front of him Up flew Mir Thompkins' good right hand, elinehing revolver. For some reason his hand shook so that he could never have taken