Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-05-20
G Sfrafogen, THAT Failed.
Gg p. Geaufog.

very QlScoufaging lallureS. L Will ell
deavor to record the history of the
most humiliating of these repulses in
the lines that follow.
Early in September, 1855, 1 found
myself sitting in my den in st. Giles
discussing the state Of our mutual
finances with Ted Basting, my oldest
chum and partner. Basting was in
clined to take a pessimistic view of
the situation, and he puffed savagely
at his glowing clay as though concen-
trating all the bitterness of his emo
tions on the tobacco which burned
therein.
"Heverythin's played out and hover
done" he remarked in a gloomy tone,
"and that's the bloomin' truth. Blow
ME if 1 don't feel like joinin' the per-
lice force unless somethin' turns up be-
fore I'm much holder"
MY dear Ted" 1 remarked, with a
smile which I could not repress, "sure-
ly you would not disgrace your family
in that manner?"
"Well, guv'nor, dunno. A copper's
life amt arr bad when e 'appens to
get 'old of a good beat, with plenty O.
cooks and nork-pies in tow. But,
there, wot's the good O. talkin' abaut
sich luxuries when it only makes my
mouth water to think OF 'em without
satisfying the vacancy just below my
belt?"
II quite agree with you" l replied
"but fancy that 1 am on the verge of
effectinc a coup which will bring us in
sufficient to remove the vacancy for
evermore, or rather, to fill it up salts
factorily. What do you say to secur-
Ing twenty thousand pounds worth OF
jewelTy from Stoner's, the big Bond
street firm? How would that suit your
book %
He leaned back and peered at me
cynically.
"'Twould suit me down to the
ground, guv'nor," he answered, "but
the question is, 'ow do you propose to
work the job?'
by means which is simplicity IT.
self" L returned slowly, land if you
will listen for few minutes 1 think
you will agree with me that the plan
is not only workable, but almost Ger
tal.l of success."e
"All right, guv'nor; fire away and
hunfold your tale, as the song sez," he
muttered, with grin. And, thus en-
couraged, proceeded to explain my
scheme.
II propose to take a suite of rooms
at the Hotel Recherche" 1 began,
speaking in slow, deliberate voice, so
that he might follow my meaning,
"and when l have secured the apart
ments in question I shall attire myself
in gorgeous clothing and pay visit to
Messrs. Stoner 6 Sons"
"Werry good" he muttered, "and
wot then?"
"Then l shall ask to be shown some
specimens Of their best work. / shall
explain that my wife is lying in a
somewhat delicate state of health at
the hotel, and that she desires me to
choose some stones for her. After
some deliberation 1 shall go on to point
out that l would prefer my wife to
view the things for herself, and that
would suggest their sending an assist
ant with large assortment to the ho'
tel during the afternoon"
II see," he replied, nodding his large
head; ''and when the chap comes round
with the stuff you'll just knock him on
the head and scoot with the swag
Ha, ha, ha!' and here the worthy fel
low laughed long and loud.
"Your surmise is perfectly correct
except in one detail" I made answer
II shall not knock him on the head, as
you elegantly suggest, but shall admin
lister to the gentleman mild sedativC
in the form OF dose of chloroform
which will render him quite harmless
until We have made good our escape tt
the Continent. Or, rather l shall leave
to you the task of drugging our frient
whilst l divert his attention in somt
manner or other. And now, if there il
any weak spot in the scheme whicl
you have noticed let me know"
"'Ow are you goin' to dispose of til,
stuff?' he asked, as he eyed me mar
rowly.
Nothing will be easier, Our frien,
Groby, at Amsterdam, will discoun
the stones for US, after deducting hi
usual infinitesimal profit Of four hun
dred per cent"
Basting smiled approvingly.
a week later drove up to the Hote
Recherche in a hanson, accompanied
by some baggage in the shape Of I
trunk containing a large consignment
of stones, portmanteau wherein Their
reposed n few necessaries of the toilet
and lastly my faithful associate, TeC
Basting, who, garbed in black, repre-
sented valet to the life. Assumin:
what is known as a "lordly" manner
engaged couple OF sleeping apart
ments for Basting and myself, togethe
with an elegant sitting room adjoining
The suite in question formed one Of th