The Tupelo journal., 1903-10-30

Thompkins could pull the trigger again
he received a blow on the head from a
cane that knocked him down. The two
men sprang at him with appraised canes,
but one of them exclaimed:
why, it's old ~Thompkins. What do
you mean by attempting to assassinate
me. you villain?"
Help! Police!" shouted Thompkins.
Then he recognized in the two men his
neighbors, DR.. Pillem and Mr.. Hooter.
what does this outrage mean?" de-
manded Mr.. Hooter. why, Thompkins,
if your revolver hadn't missed fire you
would have been a murderer"
81 thought you were footpads," said
Mr.. Thompkins, meekly.
"Do footpads wear silk hats? Dark
as the night was you should have recog-
nized u hats. Besides the street lights
here give enough light to have enabled
you to see who we were"
II wasn't looking" said Mr.. Thomp-
kins. I'm fact, l was sort of expecting
to be held up and l was ready."t
"You were a little bit too ready" COM
mented Mr.. Hooter. ''You a 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 Mr.. Thompkins
rubbed the lump on his head raised by
the doctors cane and had a 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 a weakened in
dividual was seen standing under a lamp
post.
"Ah, there is one of the outcasts Of a
great city" thought Mr.. Thompkins.
HE hasn't even ten cents to buy a bed in
a lodging house. But I'll not encourage
m~endicancy. Drink or gambling has
brought him to this and l will reprove
him as he deserves and perhaps point a
wholesome moral"
MY lad" said Mr.. ~Thompkins. you
should not be abroad at this time of
night, frightening unoffending citizens.
Why are you not at homer"
Il hain't a skeerin' anybody" said the
wanderer, beginning to whimper. my
little brudder he's sick an l can't get him
home"
Where is the child?" inquired Mr..
Thompkins.
Hes up dat alley" said the %wanderer.
Il will go and look at him immediate
ly. Lead the way" Mr.. Thompkins and
his guide walked up a dark alley until
they were some so feet from the street.
Then Mr.. ~Thompkins suddenly realized
that the cold muZzle of a revolver was
pressed firmly against his cheek.
Put up YOU hans" commanded the
wanderer. Mr.. Thompkins obeyed with
wonderful CELEBRITY.
Now, den, you ole fool" said the wan
derer, keep 'em up while l helps myself"
Mr.. T%hompkins shook like an aspen leaf
and p~iteously begged the wanderer to
remove the pistol, but the revolver was
kept pressed against his cheek while the
wanderer, with wonderful dexterity,
took Mr.. Thompkins' watch, pocketbook,
gold glasses, %revolvers and everything
else. Then he made the trembling
Thompkins take off his coat, vest and
hat, and hand them over.
Now, gimme yer shoes"
Mr.. 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
alley and stood in the light of the street
lamp, looking up the alley for a moment.
Then something swatted him over the
head and he went down. He dropped his
pistol, and 1t was grabbed up and put
against his head. Then Mr.. 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.
Mr.. T%hompkins hurriedly obeyed, and
the robber was soon nicely trussed up.
Il think he ought to be hung right
here" said Mr.. Thompkins, who had sud-
denly grown brave. 1--WE caught him, all
right"
Where are your shoes?" 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 a gum" ventured Mr.. Thomp-
kins.
But you had two. Mr.. 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 ever call the police"
asked Mr.. Thompkins.
Yes, Mr.. Thompkins, call the police.
This will make a fine story for the pa
pers." .
Mr.. ~Thompkins meekly gathered his
valuables together and sneaked home
behind his wife.
He has gone out of the footpad Staying
business.-Chicago Tribune.