Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23
THE ROUNDUP OF THE GANG,

mayor. Over there in the country when
mayor is elected at the spring election he
is installed i'll Office on the very next day.
The result is that there are two days OF
general disorder and merrymaking, and
third day required for the purpose of get
ting over the excitement of the first two.
And a darned good thing for me, too"
said Shifty to himself.
The election and the Inauguration kept
the chief busy. The town was full of
strangers. All the voters from the sur
rounding townships came in to vote and,
incidentally, to dissipate. Among the more
obstreperous were half a dozen big farm
ers who had come down from the noun
tains, so they said, and had come down
with the avowed purpose of filing up on
apple whisky.
One of them finally became fighting
drunk. The chief himself tapped him on
the arm and informed him that he was
under arrest. The mans companions dis
covered his plight and started in to rescue
him. Then there was general mixup and
the police department of Monroe distin-
guished itself 1t rounded up the farmers.
and, piling them into spring wagon
pressed into service for the occasion, lodged
them safely at the door of the Jail. One
by one they were led, staggering and fight
ing, into separate cells and locked up.
The Jail at Monroe was small and the
cells were so arranged that every prisoner
In the place could see and converse with
every other prisoner if desirable. When
the six farmers were lodged in the cells as
signed to them Shifty Shift, who had been
busy reading New York newspaper look
ed up lazily and inspected. Then he shifted
one leg over the other and went on read
ing. The town officers retired and the
outer door was locked Immediately there
was some improvement visible in the con-
dtion of the farmers. Shifty grinned for
several minutes.
low voice, how did you leave little old
New York;"
The farmers burst into a hearty laugh.
You're all right, Shifty," they responded,
and We'll swing the thing, all right" For
the six farmers were none other than six Of
the strongest and most astute members of
the Shifty Shift gang.
Each farmer took off his hat, removed
false bottom and took therefrom a load
ed revolver. Two others in adjoining cells
began industriously to remove one of the
iron bars, which would be useful when
1t came to breaking Jail.
What time will turn the trick?' one
Of them asked of Shifty.
We'll have a good chance tonight" said
shifty. for the town'll be wild over the
right and left. It's only right that we
should get out and give EN- more ROOM
AT o'clock that night the gang heard
multitude of maudlin shrieks approach
ing the jail.
Gee. but the towns goin It," said
Shifty.
A bolt was drawn, the key turned in
lil6 LUCK, anu several OIllC6TS marched III,
dragging with them men who were SUI
pinely drunk.
"Paralyzed" thought shifty, as he watch
ed them SING big fellow into the cell
The other newcomers were in little bet
ter condition. They were asleep in two
minutes, snoring generously as they lay
upon the hard wooden benches. There
were, perhaps, seven or eight OF these
tmprudent jewellers.
Nothing happened for long while. FL
nally, Shifty heard approaching. footsteps
great movement for the liberation of Shift
ty Shift.
Suddenly man outside showed back one
of his own cell. 'Now!' he exclaimed to
his followers in a low, clear voice.
Then with a cooked revolver in his left
hand and an iron bar in his right, shifty
stepped forward and his men stepped In
behind him. In a swift, solid phalanx they
approached the outside door.
The door grated on its hinges, and swung
partially open. Shifty Shift put his foot
against It, and shouted 10 the man out
side.
"Clear the way!' he yelled. Glands up!'
And then he laughed. There was only
one man outside, and he bore with him
pail of water, evidently for the prisoners.
"Come on, boys" yelled Shifty, now for
a rush.
behind the gang there was a mighty shout,
and a flash of fire, and a bullet hit the
brick wall just over Shifty's head.
Haiti cried a stentorian voice. We've
got the drop" The voice came from the
rear. Shifty turned and looked behind
him. And then he dropped his revolver
like fash and help up his hands. For
il there was anything Shifty treasured it
was his personal security.
The gang followed suit with Shifty. For
all had turned and looked What did they
see? Nothing, save the seven drunkards of
the evening. each with a bulldog revolver
in his hand. And the foremost of them
was a big, muscular chap who resembled
no one quite so much as he did the chief
of police of the little town of Monroe.
"Tryin' to break Jail, eh?' said the chief
with smile. Shouldn't wonder" he add
ed, sorrowfully, 'if it was the greatest mis-
take of your life
Subsequently Shiftys lawyer entered the
arena of events. 'Oh, Shifty, Shifty!' he
exclaimed, with poignant regret, why did
you ever go for to do ito?
II was in said Shifty, land 1 wanted to
get out"
you was in." returned his lawyer with