The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-08-04
MR. BAXTER'S ROBBER
BY EDMUND COMPTON.

race IN which bis college had beaten
after long series Of defeats. When.
IS middle aged man with bald
head and somewhat pursy stomach,
he visited Europe be maintained that
II any sneak thief, robber or bandit
could get away with him he was well
come 10 do 80. This did not satisfy
Mrs Baxter. who dreaded that, in
Italy especially. her husband might be
kidnapped and held for ransom
Mr.. Baxter had heard that one Of the
principal sights OF Rome was a visit to
the Coliseum by moonlight. One even.
ing while IN the Eternal City. when
the queen Of night was at the full, he
proposed to his wife that they 60
and view the ruin thus illuminated
Mrs. Baxter refused. But he persist
ed.
Leaving his hotel on the Esqualine
hill, he stroled down a broad thor
oughfare and soon stood on a height
overlooking the eastern end Of the
enormous theater Of the Caesars. He
was surprised to note how immense It
looked Nnder the different light The
great pile. or the remaining two-thirds
Of IL built By slaves 1900 years ago,
where gladiators bad fought and
Christians had been torn TO pieces by
wild beasts, rose against the sky like
the dark silhouette Of a mountain Co
ing around TO 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 tate they gradually departed.
Suddenly Mr.. Baxter found himself
alone. To go out through the main en-
trance was to 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 at that moment a
cloud rolied over the moon Suddenly
he felt some one brush By him and
cloth dy against bis face. He had
heard that the members Of the Inter
national League Of Pickpockets were
then working Rome and were used 70
covering their victims faces with
newspaper when robbing them, and It
flashed upon MIR. Baxter that he was |
suffering robbery CIapping bis hand !
to his pocket be missed the porte
monnaie he usually carried there. /
Throwing his arms around the person
who had passed him. he dragged him
1ack into the arena There be found
that he held a priest.
"Ah. hat no cried. $50 you thieves |
resort to the priestly dress to commit /
your depredations. But you can't fool
an American III get my money back |
or I'll break your back over one Of
these stone walls"
Then came a volley OF words like an /
explosion Of a Calling gun. but since
Mr.. Baxter knew only two italian /
words. dove sta twhere isl. they pro
duced no effect upon him. he felt all
over the mans body to find bis porte
monnaie. but found only 10 centessimi,
or 2 cents. Then, after giving the
fellow bis opinion Of him tiR Englishl \
telling him that he bad been very dex- /
ferrous In passing his plumber to a dark /
figure whose footsteps were to be
heard running away. Mr. Baxter re-
membered that. after alt there were
only a few Eve lire bills in the porte
monnaie 50 he gave the thief sound
drubbing and final kick and started
out of the ruin quite pleased that he
had lost none Of bis youthful strength
or courage. The only fear he felt was
at q possibility Of having TO appear
In court against the robber on arriv-
ing at his hotel be told bis adventure
to his wife
"Why, my dear" said that lady, Il
have your pocketbook locked in the
trunk"
Thereupon Mrs, Baxter unlocked the
trunk and took out the poeketbook.
well" said Baxter meditatively, u
downed him anyway"
There was sharp rap at the door.
Opening It. there stood two Of the ma
tionaI police IN swalowtail coats,
white cord aiguillettes. cooked (Napo-
leonl hats and swords. Any one could |
see by the serious expression Of their I
countenanees that the dignity Of the I
Italian realm had been offended Be
hind them stood a delicate, intellectual /
looking priest wiping scratches on bis
face and forehead with a bloody hand
kerchief.
Mr.. Baxter. marching between the
officers of the law. was taken to the
police Office. where. summoning his
Italian vocabulary he kept repeating:
Dove sta the Americana consulatog'
His plea was finally heard, and he
was permitted to write a line to the
consul. who came. but whose influence
ayailed nothing but to secure for the
American who had maltreated an inof-
fensive priest fair trial Baxter was
locked up.
The next morning before the time
arrived for calling the case the consul
visited the priest who bad been as.
sailed, and who proved to be man
Of influence The matter was ex-
planned to the eccIesiastic, who listened
attentiyeIy. When the consul had en-
ished, the injured party said:
"signore Baxter comes from land I
where there are great many devoted I
sons OF the church Whether your ex
PLANTATION Is correct or not ! do not I
know. but If the matter was mistake I
/ axeusp If. IL II was Il Wnnton attack \