The news & observer., 1903-12-13
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By JOSIAH FLYNT and FRANCIS WALTON.

his way TO lodgings dlonS one Ol the III
lit streets in the outskirts of Omaha.
He carried in his waiscoat pocket his last
bank note, and hadn't an idea in his head
where the next bank note was to come
from When at an obscure corner he
was summoned to ''t'row up" his hands
he laughed aloud, but he obeyed.
Keep 'em up now, young man, keep
'em up" commanded the knight of the
road. Il got some more dates tonight
an l can't linger with you long,"
Hope they'll bring you in more than
this one,'' answered Prankerd, while the
stranger rified his pockets, taking from
him his lone bank note and gold watch
"You might be fatter." the robber ad-
mitted, stepping back with the plunder III
his left hand "Beggars can't be choosers
though, can they?"
Don't you want to give me back that
watch? My best girl give me that
I'D like to accommodate you, pard, but
/ need it in my business. Besides, you'd
prob'ly hook it tomorrow, you're SO hard
up. So long, blokey; glad I met you;
take care O. yourself!'
II guess that won't be hard now that
you've got all had that was worth TAX
ing care of. If it's just the same to you
/ won't mind if we don't meet again"
What measures the following day Lise
Prankerd took to fill his pockets need not
be told The point is that for the time
being they were wholly unfruitful, and
that evening also he stepped lightly
and briskly homeward humming bit OF
a tune. He had not cent in his pocket,
but he had dined-by invitation-and he
had telegraphed collect" for money,
which would be delivered to him in the
morning. Having at the moment nothing
to worry about, and when at the same
obscure corner he was once more sula-
moned to ''t'row up his hands he
laughed even louder than before.
You're a merry one, too,'' said the
robber, advancing to inspect Prankerd's 5
pockets. Keep yer hans up; I can go
trough you without help"
Seems to me that 1 have heard that
voice before" returned PrankerG.
'.P'raps you have; let's swap looks at
each other under this glim here" And
the robber drew Prankerd toward the
street lamp. WY, you're the bloke
touched last night" the stranger ex-
claimed on verifying his suspicious. "Y'
oughtn't to keep such late hours"
.'You oughtnt either, pard," said Prank
erd, "if you don't get any more for your
pains than you'll get from me tonight"
Cant tell my boy, till I've looked
you over. Amt sewed everythin' up in
the linin' of your coat?'
Again the robber rified Prankerd's pock-
cts, but this time without getting even
a cent of plunder.
''You are dry the robber exclaimed,
still covering Prankerd with the revolver.
81 almost feel sorry for you. Come
nearer the lamp an lemme get good
squint at you. Say, you amt such bad
scrt Amt you got no one you cfn
tCuch?'
Prankerd laughed. "No, I'm up against
it all right. Suppose you let me put my
hands down..
Not on your life; you're more comfort
able with 'em where they are! You're
yeung, too, amt you?"
mot so young as YOU"
"Pard, don't get passin them remarks
about or J might get generous. Say, Oh
the level, are you really busted?"
"If 1 hadn't had an invite tonight /
couldn't "a dined."
SIS that straight"
Straight as 1 can make it."
The robber lowered the revolver and
dr. v a five-dollar bill from an inside coat
pocket. "Dine on me tomorrow, pard."
he remarked, handing Prankerd the bank
note. "The watch I needed in my busi-
ness, as 1 told you, but I amt goin' to
have you runnin' around hungry on my
account. When you're in luck, p'r'aps
I'll touch you up again. Take care o
yourself"
Same to you," said Pranerd, and the
two separated again.
A year later Lsle Prankerd consulted
with his wisdom and learned accordingly
he had found his fortune; he was at least
Mt the moment hard in pursuit of 1T as
fast as the New York Chicago express
could bear him. 1t was a momentary
check to his satisfaction that he found
as the train was drawing toward Column
bus that he had lost his purse. Colum-
bus is no place for man who has found
his fortune and lost his purse, and Prank
erd knew it, and he told the conductor
that he knew it. He told him also that
he knew the general superintendent, and
that this gentleman would not be pleased
to hear that passengers on his train
were deprived of their purses. Fortunate
" for the conductor the detective OF the
division was on the train and he was
Immediately advised of the theft.
.'How much dough was in that purse?"
he asked Prankerd.
"What has that to do with you?"
Prankerd counter-questioned "AH you
need to know is that have been touched,
and that want my purse back"
'.Think you'd know your leather again
If YOU saw it?" Izod queried with JUS
tifiable sarcasm.
Find it and see," said Prankerd.
The first thing that wise copper" on
a train does on learning that passenger
has been touched is to go through tEe
train and see whether he recognizes
among the passengers any known thieves
Izod began in the smoking car and Went
through the train to the last pullman
In the last seat of the last pullman ne
saw and recognized his old acquaintance
Peggie Niven. He bowed, shook hanas'
and sat down beside her, not at her ln
vitation wise" detectives get on WIN
out invitations.
Suppose you've thrown the leather oo'
O. the window, haven't you, Peg
What leather" demanded Peg
''The leather t you pulled IN the next
car
s.C;r che co;d ss; va, do NOT leave me