Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-07-23
Homer Among Thieves. "
ny EDWIN PCGH.

Il
/ BY EDWIN PCGH
/ Bunny Price and his friend, viii
! liam WitherS. iounged in the saloon bar
Of the Old Moon, drinking socially to-
gether. They were two gentlemen well
! known To the police, and each had passed
/ the major portion of his career within
/ the walls of one or other of his majesty's
/ prisons. They measured time by the
length of the various sentences they had
undergone, in reminiscent moods speaking
of events as happening just afore | did
/ that stretch for peterclaiming, or soon
after | got that here skier for a measly
madam" They We're both middle aged
men; Bunny Price. whose specially was
/ card Sharplng, but who dabbled in most
( other forms Of Illicit enterprise. was a
Stoutly built little man. well dressed and
well spoken, William Withers was n small
man, too, but of a more WlZcned exterior.
and laCklng the easy carriage and ready
address OF his companion lie WAS. so 10
express il, merely II iourneyman criminal,
and had no administrative genius what
ever. BY the ShortneSs OF Mr. bunny $
! hair and his smoothly shaver face. it was
/ plain to see that he had not long come
out of prison; William WitherS, ON the
/ other hand, showed Il plentiful crop of
grizzlcd locks under his greasy hatbrim,
and lie had Il full set of whiskerS.
! And 50 that's the last bit of silver you
| pOsSesST' said Mr.. Price, with Il sigh.
William Withers. pushing half-crown
piece across the counter toward the bar
maid. remarked: That's the last bit
+ o wedge" and he ordered two bitters,
with dash Of melancholy, ana Burton.
They drank as if they were perform
/ ing painful duty.
/ Cant you think o nothingI' asked
/ William Withers, at last.
That's what I'm thinking of, replied
/ Mr.. Price. My heads Il fair aching
/ void with thinking VI il.
| "Well, we can't afford TO 90 on bein'
honest much longer" said William With
erS.
Il know that as well as Won do, said
say something helpfulE'
Now you're askin' me 4 question,
/ William Withers rejOined,
They We're silent for space. Then
the swinging door of the bar was suddenly
pushed open, and man lurched in upon
them. lie was big and burly, had Il fat,
iniiamed face. and wore Il suit of raucous
checks. At sight of himI William With
ers uttered an involuntary cry of joy.
and Bunny Price. in a transport. NUT
tered: ITS like an answer to prayer.
The newcomer, without looking at
them. walked unSteadilv to the bar. Mr..
Price winked at William Withers, and,
moving over to the strangers side,
touched him on the shoulder.
How do MiSter-|" he was begin
ming. IN Il soft voice.
But the other wheeled round swiftly.
and checked him. Keep off my name.
can't your he whispered hercely, scan
ming them both with keen eyes. oh. it's
you. is it, he added, scowling. "Well|'
You'll shake hands. Mr. Jones" said
Bunny Price. ingratiatngly
The stranger looked puzzled for an in
slant: then he grinncd with pleasure.
Mr. Smith" said he; "and''- turning to
William Withers how is Mr.. Brown,
chg The grin broadened into laugh.
"WhatlI you have:" he cried Here.
throw that muck away You're drinkin'
and have brandy and soda wi me. old
friends. Both of YOU. Come on, now.
, Three hrandies and Il large soda between,
miss! he shouted, tiinsing down SOW
, creign.
William WitherS looked at the money
grcddily: but Bunny Price coneinued
, 10 smile and regard Mr.. Jones with great
, good humor. And how are you getting
on IN me world, Mr.. .loneSE" he asked
Wouldn't call the Queen my aunt, -
said Mr. Jones. Here's luck. Fill EN-
up agin, miss. And how are you two
! dom. Shf'
y
ready cash just AT present, hut very rich
in IDEAS
ideas is three penny nowadays
three penny" said Mr. Jones. scornful-
ly. Ideas He spat. Here, look at
this" lie pulled ont a big handful Of
mixed coins, gold and silver, Better
than ideas, eh;'
done said William WitherS, with con
VictioM,
Mr. Jones rived the air with his tri-
umphant laughter. He was at the boast
ful stage of drunkenness and avowed
that he was made for life. Made for
life aud don't you forget it. Where do
you think I'm living now? Here. you
come along wi me and I'll show You
something. They had one more brandy
and soda in the Old Moon. and then
sailed ont Mr., Jones called a cab and
directed the cabman To drive To MuSwell
hill The journey was punctuated by fire.
Quent >GnppageS at public houses and by
the time the party reached their tlestina-
ton Mr.. Jones was III state of up-
roari0uS excitement. He C0nhded 10
Price and WitherS thar he had Just come
back from America, where lac had made
a biz haul of jewels Loose stones. my
beauties; none a your melting pot stuff.
Why. got Il tarara belonging to Mrs.
NerHt" Il"
Tiara, murmured Bunny Price
I Here. I'll show il you" said Mr..
/ jones, when l get home. I've took a
house all t0 my own cheek ready fur
niShed and everything. ami standing in
/ its avn grounds. Took il for quarter.
I | have, and paid the rent in advance
/ I'm a Yankee gent. ann. connected WI
! Wall street. over here for fun And
amt got no fuSt class references. Not
/ hardly, y Sto-opt'
! The cab drew up abruptly ut n small
4 iron gaze set in high brick wall They
! alighted. and. having oyerpaid the cab