The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1908-12-11
'IWho,Won the Wine?

tC0pyr18ht. -, py american ETces A1So-
ciation.l
Montgomery stouts business often
keeps him late at his office. and at
times when funds come In after bank
hours he carries them home with him.
A street car line passes within rev
minutes walk Of his house, and In this
distance lies the only danger. He car
ries revolver, but what use Is a
weapon when one is dropped by rap
on the hack Of his head?
Stout was one Of younger set or
men in his suburb who were together
a great deal and constantly joking one
another. He talked to them about his
nocturnal trips home, his fear OF
footpads and what he hoped to accom-
plish in case Of attack. One night
when he was passing dimly lighted
place between the street car line and
his house he was seized from behind
by both arms. hand was thrust In
his pocket and $500 In bills taken, to-
gether with his revolver, SO that when
the robbers ran away he had no
weapon with which to pursue them.
On reaching his house he found sew
eral Of Ids friends, whom he excitedly
told Of his adventure and his loss.
They sympathized with him deeply,
and while doing so two others OF the
set, Mark Hamlin and Ben Turner,
walked In. Stout was somewhat sur
prised to find callers so late at night
it was II o'clOck-but, after all. there
was nothing remarkable In their visit.
After listening to his account Of the
robbery and asking many questions,
Mark Hamlin handed him the pocket
book Of which he had been robbed
and confessed himself the robber.
Then there was general jollidca-
ton. Stout brought out drinkables and
amusing and practical joke had been
played.
Some months after this Stout was
again on his way home at night, this
time with $1,000 in his pocket that had
come in late, when at the very same
spot as before he heard the order:
Hands up!'
At the same time he felt the cold
muzzle Of gun near his ear and hands
relieving him Of everything he pos
sessed. Then the man with the gun
said to him:
"You walk around the block before
you go home and remember that you're
watched. Any attempt to use tele-
phone for the next half hour will re-
suit In a hole in you"
Now, the threat was lost on Mr..
Stout. for he knew 1t had only been
made as a bluff. The robbers would
not be likely to wait to see that he
completed his walk. Besides, the
voice that gave the order was very
like that Of Mark Hamlin.
"Just wait bit my fine fellow"
thought Stout, "and wen see whom
, the Joke Is on this time"
He was within stones throw of his
house. Darling to 1t. he went in, got
| revolver-the robbers had taken the
4, one he CARIBBEAN back on tiptoe to
find them dividing the spoil under a
gas light.
Hands upg he yelled in stem.
torian voice.
There were but two men, and both
raised their hands.
Leave the things on the sidewalk
cried Stout, land, mind, no lowering
Of hands"
Stout said this to gain time to think
The men remained motionless.
I "Now turn your backs and SO OF
down the street"
The men hesitated, then after wore
with each other did as they were told
Stout followed till he came to his prop
erty. picked up every article. thel
fred his revolver.
I At the shot the robbers took to thei
heels, and Stout went home and +
bed chuckling Mt the way be had go
even with his practical joking friends.
The next morning he telephoned 9TH
gang" that Hamlin would break bot
tie of wine at noon at a popular restau
, rant, telephoning Hamlin also to b
there. At half past IL all had arrives
except Hamlin. who came few min
: utes later.
my friends" said Stout. this prac
teal joking has gone far enough.
!. drove off two of you last night ant
q recovered the property you had taken
8 One of the two know. Mark Hamlin
. you owe me and this party the wine.
az? The wine? What do you mean
II mean this: When you played you
: game on me some time ago and
, found the boys at my house, you an
e Bill Turner coming in later with m
4 pocketbook, took the joke goo
y naturally and opened my larder. Las
night I turned the tables, drove 20
s away and recovered my property. Yo
). owe the wine."
% Hamlin stood gaping at his friend 1
astonishment.
i 'Do you mean to say robbed 20
last night?"
q "Comc; no blufiing! made you an
d your pal, whoever he was. drop til
:, swag. got 1t and fred shot afte
7, you to scare You, at which you took
= your heels"
Hamlin continued to cape. but th
Z others told him to own up like ma
"a and nay the wine. He made anothe
| tai 1,,k hat witt