Evening journal., 1908-12-18
A Good Use Of a Flask.
GoriEinaLl

[originall
Many years ago. when was young
man, had occasion TO move my Office
belongings and hired a negro called
Bill for the purpose. After the NOV
ing missed a new sixty dollar over
coat. l was sure Bill had taken it and
had him 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 !
afternoon when l was sitting there
alone at work on my books Bill open |
cd the door and came in. He had not
been paid for his services and asked |
for the money. l gave it to him and
said:
"Bill, perhaps you know who stole
my overcoat. Try TO find 1t and bring
It to me. If you do, I'll pay you well
/ for your trouble. If not. I'll send the
II man who stole it to state prison yet"
II "I'n try" he said as he pocketed the
II money paid him and went away.
II next day a woman and a little girl
III came into my Office with the missing
II coat. The woman said that a negro
had sold It to her for So and that she
II would know him II she should see him
again. had Bill rearrested. She
identified him, and he was tried and
sent TO state prison for two years.
III After 1t was all over learned that
Bill was a very bad man. He had been
III a slave, and his former master had
III said that he was the only negro he
iii had owned that he was afraid Of.
III That Bill had ever been criminal be-
III fore stealing my coat l did not learn.
Upon getting this information l re
II membered with some feeling his visit
N to me when l was alone in my office
III / am a small man; he was large and
III. powerful one. Indeed, I had been
II completely at his mercy II occurred
Il to me that after he had served his
term he might make me another visit
for the purpose of taking his revenge
for an enforced residence in prison.
III 1 was sufficiently impressed with
III this TO note the time Of expiration OF
I'LL Bills term, so that when he was re-
I'LL leased ! might be prepared for him.
iii but l didn't count on time reduced for
u good behavior One evening just before
- / was ready to shut up my Office and
60 home the door opened and in
walked Bill He assumed the same
cool, impudent manner as before.
sat looking at him from my desk.
= "You don't remember me, do you
y bossg" he said
yes remember you very we'll
You're the man who stole my over
= coat"
"And the man you sent to stat,
prison
q "Yes. l remember that too"
He was looking about him, glancini
out Of the window, taking In the situ
alton. knew he had come TO kill M
and was only considering the question
OF my surroundings with a view to dc
ing the Job without its being know
who was the murderer. Hearing ste
in the hall without, he delayed. All thi
could read in his eyes as plainly as
it had been written in capitals on th
desk before me- The step was lost
the distance, and Bilrs manner ind
Gated that he considered an obstacle r.
moved. Still he must have fully appr,
ciated the many possible dangers {
being tracked. II not caught in the ac
He kept his eyes and ears open for an!
thing without Therewas a coal stove
the center of the Office, near where
stood, and a heavy iron poker. l sa'
him take in the poker, and knew
IL 10. hoI
for a weapon. 1t would make no nois
l also inferred by this that he wa
probably unarmed. He doubtless ha
no money with which to buy weapoi
A door slammed on the floor abov'
and there was a step on the stair
Some one was coming down. Bill
IN. eye changed in a twinkling.
.ent "rm gwine to try N do better, boss
! - be said.
e.. $50 l would advise you
,-, Couldn't you help me a leetleT'
'' Here was a ray Of hope. Not fro
-use the passing person-I dared not ris
oi calling. In the right hand drawer
g my desk / remembered having place
,rel brown glass flask shaped like a +
Oh volver and commonly called a pock
dis pistol Bill had given me an excuse
we're open the drawer.
ms, Il might give you a few dollars"
ese' said, "to keep you TIL you can get
!, tn lob. keep stamps and petty cash
~ ~ this drawer. You needn't come insit
hest he rail. / can hand It TO you"
soar The person coming downstairs b;
oent gone out into the street. and all VI
had still. Watching Bnrs eye. saw th
ldei my time had come G-aspiag q
tho poker. he started for the gate in Il
nea. rail. opened the drawer. seized 4
l. loou pocket pistol, brought it to bear on hi
e., and cried flercely:
Glands NM