The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-19
In or, the
Ground Floor
by WIZ. n. OSBORNE

000o0oOOOOOOO OOCcOcooOoO0SS
gcspyrishs isos, sy Daily story Pub oo-D
THE underworld in New York Is di-
vided into two great classes. First,
those who get caught; second. those
who don't. The police department,
finding it impossible to keep an eye on
everybody all the time. had come 20
the conclusion that Britches Bellman
belonged to the latter class. In their
hearts they knew that Britches was up
to many things, but when they caire
to sift even one Of these things to the
bottom invariably they found them
selves wofully weak when IL came 10
evidence.
Evidence" snorted Britches; Il
Amt got no use for it. | don't want
none Of il around me. To - with
evidence"
Now. Britches Bellman. being a citi-
zen of the underworld. had come to the
conclusion that for part of the time.
al least. such a citizen ought TO reside
underneath the ground. He got this
idea one day when he was passing the
County National bank. In front OF the
County National bank was a ditch.
This ditch Is called the subway.
"Geei" said Britches Bellman.
knocking himself on the side Of the
head. Get down in that hole, just
where you belong"
Now, IL Britches hadn't been an ex-
traordinary Kind of q man. he never
could have pulled on the little scheme
that filed his head. But he vas any
thing and everything. from an A l con
man down TO the lowest kind of a
strong-armer. In a high hat and a
frock coat he was superb; in a bust
ness suit, he was all matter Of fact: in
q slouch hat. he could scare the wits
out OF 4 belated rich old party by just
looking at him.
One day a genteel looking parsonage
called at the ONCE Of the subway con-
| tractors and announced that the Coun-
| ty National bank (which. by the way
was backed by the democrats boss)
| had concluded TO strengthen its under
pinning just bit He produced let
| ter apparently on the letter head OF the
bank. signed apparently by its pres;-
dent. He was courteously received. as
| of course. any representative OF the
boss's bank would have to be. and he
| left bearing with him the written di-
| rection Of the contractor to the section
1 foreman TO permit the workmen of the
County bank to make any necessary
excavation in the subway. This gen.
teel looking parsonage. IL cannot be de-
MED, looked extremely like Mr.
B.ltches Bellman. A day later 6
rough. honest looking workman. wear.
ing q union button and dressed in toll
stained overalls. handed the letter q
the section foreman. together with an
i other letter from the bank. stateC
casually that he and Sam Parks hat
known each other all their RESPECTIVE,
lives. borrowed a chew of tobacco. anc
started in TO work.
The work he was about to do he haC
all planned out on a sheet Of rougl
drafting paper. II twas to cut a square
hole four by four from the subway il
to the foundation Of the bank.
THE bank" he said to the foreman
"ain't SO much afraid OF going up as i
IS OF fallin' down Its pins is weak, Of
somethin'"
In five hours the genial Mr. Bellmar
had made himself the most popular
man in the ditch. He talked to every
body, sympathized with everybody
jollied everybody.
But he was a good workman and h,
understood his business. But he in
sisted upon one thing. Every nigh
when he left his Job. he carefully GOV
cred up the mouth Of the hole he wa
making with a pile Of dirt
Some fellow" he explained to tn
foreman. might take a notion to I'm
ish up my job some night and go cleal
through the bank. outside and in" Th
foreman expectorated.
"Gee," said the foreman. that's Sc
I never thought Of it." He scratches
his head and grinned.
II s'pose." he added. that I migh
take a hack at 1t myself some night
What dye think"
Britches Bellmsn. honest workman
shook his head. IF you talk tha
way" he said. smiling. I'll have to Sc
plain clothes man on top OF you.
got to take care OF that there bank
and no ristake." He caught the othe
BY the arm. Say" went on Britche
Bellman. "it's a blamed good thing Yo
chaps down here are honest. II yo
weren't-say. think OF the whole lot O
banks here on Broadway-you coul
tap the whole lot, almost. and nobod
wouldn't know the difference. not un
til, he added mot until they foun
I out"
/ And when they found out." sug
, gested the foreman.
There'd be a hot time." returne
Britehes. He scratched his head agair
Now. look a-here." he went on. 'tha
raises a very nice. delicate. importan
question In my mind. II seems to m
that III have to get the bank TO put
night watchman down here to set q
front Of that there hole Il won't d
- hare nay rWoxinnkOl raSa a-hnrrou