The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-12-31

amusing and practIcaI JoAe 1ad 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 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
a revolver-the robbers had taken the
one he carried-ran back on tiptoe to
find them dividing the spoil under
gas light.
Hands up he yelled in stem
torian voice.
There We're 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 mot1Onless.
Now turn your backs and go on
down the street"
The men hesitated, then after a word
with each other did as they were told.
Stout followed till he came to his prop
erty. picked up every article, then
fired his revolver.
"A
heels. and Stout went home and to
bed chuckling at the way he had got
even with bis practical joking friends.
The next morning he telephoned "the
gang" that Hamlin would break bot
tie Of wine at noon at popular restau-
rant. telephoning Hamlin also to be
there. At half past II all had arrived
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 and
recovered the property you had taken
One Of the two | know. Mark Hamlin,
you owe me and this party the wine"
81? The wine? What do you mean?
II mean this: When you played your
game on me some time ago and
found the boys at my house, you and
Bill Turner coming in later with my
pocketbook, l took the joke good
naturally and opened my larder. Last
night | turned the tables drove you
away and recovered my property. You
owe the wine"
Hamln stood gaping at his friend in
establishment.
"Do you mean to say 1 robbed you
last night?"
"Come: no bluffing! I made you and
your pal whoever he was, drop the
swag. l got it and fred shot after
YOU to scare you, at which you took to
your heels"
Hamlin continued to cape, but the
others told him to own up like man
and pay the wine He made another
offer at denial, but being met with
the cry Of Shame pushed the but
ton and ordered in champagne. For
an hour there was merry party-all
except Hamlin, who never opened his
mouth. bearing the chaff of lis friends
without irritation At the end Of the
feast he said:
II give you all my word Of honor
that / had no connection whatever
with this robbery"
Then the party looked at one another.
$50: heavens sake" exclaimed
Stout. did I get the better of pair
of real robbers?''
And there was an explosion Of laugh
ter. T. DE WITT BOWMAN. 1.