The daily Alaskan., 1908-06-12
A Good Use of a Flask.
IorlginaLl


 Many years ago, when was a young | man, I had occasion to move my office belongings aud hired a negro called Bill for the purpose After the nov ing missed a new sixty dollar over coat. was sure Bill had taken 1t and had hlm arrested, but since there was no evidence against him he was dis charged.
 My new office was on the second floor, apart from other offices. One I-afternoon when I was sitting there alone at work on my books Bill open ed the door and came h. He had not been laid for nis services and asked for the money. gave 1t to him and said:
 "Bm, perhaps you know who stole -my overroat. Try to and 1t and bring 1t to me, IT you do,-rll pay you well for your troObe If not, I'll send the man who stole It to state prison yet"
 "In try" le said as he. pocketed the money paid him and went away.
 had advertised my loss, and the next day a womun and little girl came Into my office with the missing coat. The woman said that a negro had sold It to her for $3 and that she would know hlm. lf she should see him again. had Bill rearrested She Identified him, and he was tried and sent to state prison for two years.
 After 1t was all over l learned that Bill was very bad man. He had been slave. and his former master had said that he was the only negro he had owned that he was afraid of That Bill bad ever been a criminal be- fore stealing my coat did not learn. Upon getting this information re- membered with some feeling his visit to me when l was alone in my office am q small man; he was large and powerful one. Indeed, had been completely at hls mercy. It occurred to me that after he had served his term he might make me another visit for the purpose of taking hls revenge for an enforced residence In prison.
 l was sufficiently Impressed with this to note the time of expiration of Bnrs term, so that when he was re- leased l might be prepared for him, but didn't count on lime reduced for good behavior. One eveung just before 1 was ready to shut up my office and go home the door opened and In walked Bill. He assumed the same cool lmpudent manner as before. l sat looking at him from my desk.
 "You don't remember me, do you, bossg be sald
 "Yes; l remember you very we'll You're the man who stole my over. coat"
 And the man you sent to state prison"
 "Yes. l remember that too"
 He was looking about him, glanclng out of the window. taking In the sltu- alton. knew he had come to kill me and was only considering the question of my surroundings with q view to do- ing the job without It's being known who was the murderer. Hearing a step In the hall without, he delayed, All thls I could read In his eyes as plainly as If 1t had been written In capitals on tho desk before me. The step was lost In the distance, and Bllrs manner indI- cated that he considered an obstacle re- moved Sull, be must have fully appre- clated the many possible dangers of being tracked, if not caught In the act He kept hls eyes and ears open for any thing without. There was coal stove in the center Of the office, near where he stood, and Q heavy iron poker, l saw him take In the poker, and knew by his expression that he had chosen 1t for weapon. It would make no noise. also inferred by thls that he was probably unurmed. He doubtless had no money with which to buy weapon. A door slammed on the floor above, and there was step on the stairs. Some one was coming down. Bill's eye changed In twiuElIng.
 "Tm gwlne to try n do better, boss" he said.
 50 would advise you"
 Couldn't you help me leetle"
 Here was a ray Of hope. Not from the passing person-I dared not risk calling. In the right hand drawer cr my desk remembered having placed brown glass flask shaped like . TO, yolVer and commonly called pocket pistol. Bnl had given me an excuse to open the drawer,
 q might give you few dollars" l said, ito keep you tIll you can get job. keep stamps and petty cash in this drawer. You needn't come inside the rail. can hand 1t to you"
 The person coming downstairs had ; gone out into the street, and all was stln. Watching Bnrs eye. | saw that my time had come. GraspIng the poker, he started for the gate in the rail. opened the drawer. seized the pocket pistol brought 1t to bear on him land cried fiercely:
 ''Hands- up"