The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-25
: OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

Bessie had an artistic nature and had
taken some lessons in drawing and
painting, but she knew that her work
would not stand, criticism beyond
certain point. She had been going into
the city twice a week to get beyond
this point, but amid all her harrass-
ments this was discouraging work 1t
meant with other things, pinching of
the family purse until mother and
daughter were sometimes hungry and
found nothing in the cupboard to salts
fy the feeling
On this particular day and date. as
Miss Bessie was returning home on
the trolley. after a rather discourage
ing day. she read In the evening paper
an account of robbery at a first-class
hotel. The robber had got away with
considerable money and a large amount
of jewelry, and the victim had COM
bined and offered a reward of $4,000 for
his arrest. What purported TO be a
good description of the man was given.
IF only could come across that
man. sighed Bessie as she let the
paper fall. Fifteen hundred dollars
of the money would pay of the mort
gage. and the other ave hundred
would surely put me on the road to
success. am sure I'd know him from
this description, and II l got eyes on
him he should not escape. I'd"
And then she began to wonder
whether he would surrender at discre-
tion or make fight for it. She was
almost oblivious to her surroundings
when voice at her elbow said:
Excuse me, miss" and man sat
down beside her. He was privileged
to, as the car was crowded, but she
felt little nettled that he had bro
ken in on her thoughts. 1t was two
or three minutes before she glanced
nd instant her
heart almost stood still.
"A middle-aged man--smooth face
benevolent look--blue eyes, prominent
nose--scar of an old burn on the left
cheek--large hands--two front teeth
filled with gold"
That was the description of the rob-
Der in the paper still lying on her lap.
Her eyes had been caught by the scar
on his face. She saw the prominent
nose--the smooth face--the scant hair
the large harids -sSlfe gasped for
breath, and was all a-tremble.
The man had a small satchei on his
knees. and there was no doubt that he
was leaving the city with his plumber.
He presently turned to glance out of the
window, and she saw the benevolent
look. Miss Bessie Clifton had her
mani Fate had walked him right in
to the car in which she sat.
1t was suburban. trolley line. and
she had fifteen miles to ride. She had
planned in imagination what she would
do IL she ran across the man, but now
that she was face to face with the
problem things were different. He
looked like a strong man, and notwith-
standing his benevolent look he might
not submit to capture without blood
shed.
There were about dozen people on
the car, men and women. Some were
getting Off at intervals and others get
ting on. Miss Bessie sized up all the
males, from motorman to the little
country tailor with a bundle. and she
couldn't say that any of them looked
heroic. On the contrary, If menaced
with a revolver and warned to keep
| hands off, they would probably sit still
and let the man escape. She lacked
at the conductor a second time to see
If she had missed anything heroic in
his looks, and he grinned in reply and
started to start Irritation. She real
| lied that there was only one way to do
and after a long breath and bracing
| of her feet she started in to do 1t. She
sought to make her voice very deter
| mined as she said:
| "Sir, know who you are, and it will
be useless for you to try to escape. You
| had better submit quietly"
''Yes?" replied the stranger as he
| turned TO her with look of surprise
on his face. You know me then?"
| Your description is right here In
| this paper, and you answer to 1t exact
| ly."
He took the paper from her hand and
read the article, or rather SKINNED IL
over like one who had read before Then
he handed 1t back with a smile and
queried:
so 1 am caught, Ell, and that by a
glrl?"
you are the robber mentioned. and
when we get to Glendale l shall cali an
officer to arrest you. II you try to
| leave the car before that 1 shall de-
nounce you and call for help"
Il see 1t appears that you are q
very determined young lady. May
ask how long you have followed the
detective business. and whether you are
private officer or attached to some
regular force?
Ill just saw your description in the
paper, and then I saw you, she fall
tered. wondering when hfs desperate
resistance would begin.
"And you wanted the reward. OF
| course. If this Is your first detective
work let me compliment you on your
perspicacity. The plumber is, of course
in this satchel7'
TT is, sir. Don't talk to me in this
honeyed way, as 1 am on my guard
| The paper says you are slick, but you
are fairly caught this time
| The benevolent robber chuckled in his
throat He did more. He laughed out
right and seemed real pleased. 1t was
three or four minutes before he said:
AS you are the only one who has the
| least suspicion of me, and as do not
care about term in State prison. sup