Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-03-04
TRAPPED
"Six months, with hard labor.

to descend to the cells.
For Joe Renshaw felt hurt. That
particular solicitor, Benjamin TIM
pany-Joe made note of the name
and registered a resolution not to
forget it-had conducted his case
with zeal that seemed to border on
animus; otherwise Mr.. Renshaw's
explanation as to his presence on in
closed premises at midnight might
have been accepted.
Mr.. Timpany heard the words.
He saw the glance that accompanied
them. 1t was not a reassuring
glance. If one met it by the light Of
bullseye at midnight-ugh! Mr..
Timpany shuddered
"Cleverest craftsman going, joel"
said the sergeant in tone almost of
admiration. Electric bells and all
that sort of thing don't bother him
q bit. He can get through an iron
shutter as if it was brown paper"
Mr.. Timpany'S state of mind be-
came less complacent than ever. He
had done his duty to his client in III
surfing this desperado's conviction,
but he began to wonder whether
man could not do his duty too well.
He began to think how exposed
his house was, how low the back
garden wall, how close the balconies
to the ground, how rusty the front
door chain and how insecure the
window fastenings. There was, how
ever, one consolation, he had six
months start of Mr.. Renshaw.
Mr.. Timpany'S politeness to the
policeman whose beat embraced his
house and who had once been seen
kissing his housemaid was surpris-
ing, having regard to the indigna-
ton he had evinced when some time
previously he had been informed of
the housemaid incident.
The six months of his incarcera-
ton did not speed quite so quickly
for Joe Renshaw as for Mr.. Tim
pany.
Joe was averse to labor of any
kind, more especially to the hard
variety. He had, however, ample
time and opportunity for medita-
ton on what he considered the vim
dictive wickedness Of Mr.. Timpany
and the means for its requital.
Artist as he was in his own line,
in the operation contemplated he
meant to excel himself. He would
not hurry over it. He would bide
his time. Everything comes, he re-
fected, to the man who waits. lie
would wait on Timpany.
At last came the hour when he
stepped forth a free man-anyway
for time. He began to look about
for occupation, not work. He had
had six months at that, and if he
had cared for honest work outside
prison walls it would have been diff
fcult to find.
One, two, three months since the
expiration of Renshaw's sentence
had expired, and Mr.. Timpany be-
gan to imagine that he had forgot
ten his promise and to sleep soundly
of nights. He even ventured occa-
sionally to bring home valuable doc
uments of title and securities in his
black bag and to once more believe
in the truth of the adage that an
Englishman's house is his castle.
But one night while Mr.. Timpany
was wrapped in gentle sleep and his
paiamas thin streak of white light
glimmered for an instant along his
back garden. Bendigo, who slept
with one eye open, fancied he
caught glimpse of something that
ought not to be there and emitted a
deep warning growl.
Much to his surprise, as if by
magic, a savory piece of horsefesh,
just sufficiently UNDERGONE to suit
the palate of so dainty canine cpl
cure, fell within yard of his nose.
With snorting growl that was
his usual expression of delight the
bulldog rose and shifted it. Then he |
licked it, and it tasted even more
than it smelled.
Bendigo bolted it and, seeing no
norsels lying about, turned to re-
gain his kennel, but ere he could
reach it his limbs stiifened, and no
rolled over without groan stone
dead.
A few minutes later q marvellous
was running its way 81
Iently but surely through Mr.. Tim
pany's iron shutters.
Before long the shutter had been
quietly pushed open, replaced, and
Joe Renshaw was seated in the
breakfast room, around which his
bullscyc flash was moving.
The disk of light rested moment
On a small cabinet, the lock of which
Mr.. Renshaw leisurely proceeded to
neatly pick.
"Tradcsmen's bills" he grunted,
'all receipted. Wot a spendthrift
the chap must be THROWN away his
money in payin' aecountsl Some
folks never knows the wally o mon
~. lie earns his easier than does
Then, his list shoes making not
he slightest sound, he crept into n
.oom which served Mr.. Timpany for
kind of home Office.
"This is BETTER" chuckled the
burglar, espying safe in the cor
her, and once again the centerblt
vas called into operation. But it
los n tough iob and file and crow