The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-13
KILLED HIS OWN GHOST
BY GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER.

Up to the date of his doom Bill Uggler was accounted one of the neatest ana most considerate workmen in the Burg lars Union. After the day of his doom he was not so good, and the police rather lost patience with him. They compiaineu that he was getting careless and reckless and was no longer a good revenue pro- ducer.
 All this. however. was afterwards. On the evening of the day that fate, all un- suspected. held death in store for him. Bill, according to custom, called on the Chief of Police to make his little monthly contribution. He was in the best of health and the Chief complimented him upon It.
 sTt's all because you're such sober and industrious workman, thou added the Chief. You surely do attend to your business all right.
 "It's a hard life,'' said Bill, shaking his head. "The hours are might inconvenient, and I'm getting so tired of night work that have big notion, some times to quit"
 Don't think of itr' expostulated the Chief You are cut out for the burgling business if ever man was. The men on the force are all proud of your work. Take in the matter of clues alone why, since this Reform Administration nrst took hold we have never had a pro1es- sional who was so clever and ingenious in the matter of leaving elews on q Jop. The public isn't through yet talking or that lace handkerchief clew you hxed up for the Skinnem National Bank burg lary."
 And yet it was simple enough said Bill smiling. ''It was the easiest thing in the world to get lady's handkerchief embroidered with the initial m ana tie 1t on the knob of the safe"
 Simple. cried the chief. Why man, IL was genius The public was so interested in that lace handkerchief that it forgot all about the burglary. It was really classic in clews. No, old man, you just stay where you are. When does the Shi- yer job come off?
 This coming morning. replied Bill. 'Shiver told Patrolman Jenkins to be sure and keep close watch on his house to- night as he should have quite sum or money on hands,
 "Yes," said the Chief. "Jenkins asked this afternoon for me to change his beat tonight, and I've done it. Good man, that Jenkins. I suppose you have arr ranged to leave us some nifty clews."
 "Well, they're fairly good" said Bill modestly. "rll leave some bloody finger prints on the window sash with an old glove That will keep people interested and amused for about three days. Then one of your detectives-say you let Casey have the trick-will find dark lantern in an old opera hat, under the front porch think well of that opera hat idea, 1t gives the job a romantic touch that will make the public glad it happened, and 1t gives a chance for the tireless police and detective force to be mentioned. Then I'll hide a common black mask and bloody knife in a flower bed. You can use that or not, according to the way the public feels about the case. Probably by that time something else will break loose, but you want to get that mask and knife. even if you don't mention them. I can't afford to waste clews. They are too hard to think up.'
 ''Great!' said the Chief. Bill you're a wonder. You're smart enough to be corporation promoter or something like that. Why don't you try it? There's big money in it.
 "Not in mine!" replied Bill. I'm too honest"
 You always was too particular for your own good" growled the Chief. q guess this man Shiver won't do you any harm, will he?"
 Not him. laughed Bill. Why, man, he keeps a loaded revolver under his pillow. Of course he's afraid it will go off. If he was just a plain ordinary man, now that left all his windows unfastened and didn't have any weapons but his fists and his teeth. I might be afraid of tusse. Well, so long. I've got to go and get