The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-08-07
BAYTER'S ROBBER



that In college he had been the right |
0ootbalD tackle Of his time aud had |
pulled stroke oar In the first university |
race In which his college had beaten |
after a long series OF defeats When. |
as a middle aged man with bald |
head and somewhat pursy stomach. |
be visited Europe he maintained that |
II any sneak thief, robber or bandit |
could get away with him he was wei |
come 10 do SO This did not satisfy |
Mrs. Baxter. who dreaded that, In
Italy especially. her husband might be
kidnapped and held for a ransom.
Mr. Baxter had heard that one OF the
principal sights OF Rome was visit 10
the Coliseum by moonlight One even
ing while In the Eternal City, when
the queen OF night was at the full. he
proposed 10 his wife that they go
and view the ruin thus illuminated.
Mrs. Baxter refused But he persist
cd.
Leaving his hotel on the Esqualine
hill, he strolled down broad thor
oughfare and soon stood on height
overlooking the eastern end OF the
enormous theater OF the Caesars. He
was surprised TO note how immense II
looked under the different light. The
great pile, or the remaining two thirds
OF II, built by slaves 1000 years ago,
where gladiators had fought and
Christians had been torn 10 pieces by
wild beasts rose against the sky like
the dark silhouette OF mountain. Go
ing around 10 the entrance. Mr.. Baxter
went within the walls and saw anoth-
er sight-the moonlight throwing the
upper portions OF the interior into con-
trast with the shadowy lower parts.
Many visitors were there. but as the
hour was late they gradually departed.
Suddenly Mr.. Baxter found himself
alone To go out through the main en-
trance was 20 increase the distance TO
his hotel. There were openings all
around the oval, but not lighted. New
ertheless the fearless American con-
cluded TO make his exit by one OF
them. II was very dark under the
archway through which he passed. es-
pecially since that nc that moment
cloud rolled over the moon. Suddenly
he felt some one brush by him and
cloth fly against his face. He had
heard that the members OF the Inter
national League OF Pickpockets were
then working Rome and were used TO
covering their victims faces with n
newspaper when robbing them, and Il
flashed upon Mr.. Baxter that he was
suffering robbery Clapping HIS hand
/ 10 his pocket, he missed the porte
monnaie he usually carried there.
Throwing his arms around the person
who had passed him. he dragged him
back into the arena. There he found
that he held n priest.
"Ah har' he cried. 80 you thieves
resort 10 the priestly dress TO commit
your depredations. But you can't fool
an American I'll get my money back
or I'll break your back over one OF
these stone walls"
Then came volley OF words like an
explosion OF n Calling gun. but since
Mr.. Baxter knew only two Italian
words, "dove sta" (where Isl. they pro
duced no effect upon him. He felt all
over the mans body 10 find his porte.
monnaie. but found only 10 centessimi,
or cents Then after giving the
fellow his opinion OF him Gin Englishl.
telling him that he had been very dex-
ferrous in passing his plumber 10 dark
figure whose footsteps were 10 be
heard running away. Mr. Baxter re-
membered that after all. there were
only a few i've lire bills IN the porte
monnaie So he gave the thief sound
drubbing and FINAL kick and started
out or the ruin quite pleased that he
had lost none OF his youthful strength
or courage. The only fear he felt was
at possibility OF having 10 appear
I'm court against the robber. On arriv-
ing al his hotel he told his adventure
10 his wife
"why. my DEAR said that lady, II
have your pocketbook locked I'm the
| trunk"
Thereupon Mrs Baxter unlocked the
trunk and took out the pocketbook
We'll" said Baxter medltatively. 81
downed him anyway"
There was n sharp rap NJ the door.
Opening II. there stood two OF The ma
tional police IN swallowtail coats.
white cord aigullettes. cooked (Napo.
leonI hats aud swords Any one could
see by the serious expression OF their
countennnces that the dignity OF the
italian realm had been offended. Be
hind them stood delicate. intellectual
looking priest. wiplng scratches on his
face and forehead With n bloody hand
| kerchlef
MIR. Baxter. marching between the
officers OF the law, was taken 10 the
police office. where. summonlng his
italian vocabulary. he kept repeating
Dove sta the Americana consulatoT
Ills plea was finally heard, and he
was permitted 10 write line 20 the
consul. who came. but whose influence
awaited nothing but 10 secure for the
American who had mnltreated an inof-
fcnsIve priest a fair trial. Baxter was