Amador ledger., 1909-01-01
Who Won the Wine?


keeps him late Mt his office, and at
times when funds come in after bank
hours he carries them home with him.
A street car line passes within n few
minutes walk Of his house, and in this
distance lies the only danger. He car
ries revolver. but what use is q
weapon when one is dropped by a rap
on the back Of his head?
Stout was one OK younger set of
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 a dlmly lighted
place between the street car line and
his house he was seized from behind
by both arms, a 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 his 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
1t 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 a general jollifica-
ton. Stout brought out drinkables and
cigars, and all agreed that a very
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 upr
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:
tsYou walk around the block before
you so home and remember that you're
watched. AEy attempt to use a tele-
phone for the next half hour will re-
suit in hole in you"
Now, the threat was lost on Mr.
l. Io1
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 We'll 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. ,t.t ,..
Glands up!".; he yelled in stem
torian voice.
There were but two men, and both
raised their hands.
leave the things on the sidewalk"
cried Stout, "and, mind, no lowering
Of hands,"
Stout said this to gain time to think.
The men remained motionless.
''Now turn your backs and so on
down the street"
The men hesitated, then after word
with each other did as they were told.
Stout followed till he came to his prop
erty, picked Up every article, then
fred his revolver.
At the shot the robbers took to their
heels, and Stout went home and to
bed chuckling at the way he had got
even with his practical joking friends.
The next morning he telephoned "the
gang that Hamlin would break a bot
tie of wine at noon at a popular restau-
rant, telephoning Hamlin also to be
there At half past II all had arrived
except Hamlin, who came few min
utes later.
'Niy Friends" said Stout, "this prac-
teal joking has gone far enough.
drove Off two or you last nlgnC ana
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 l
found the boys at my house, you and
Bill Turner coming in later with my
pocketbook, I took the joke good
naturedly and opened my larder. Last
night l turned the tables, drove you
away and recovered my property. You
owe the wine"
Hamlln stood gaping at his friend in
establishment.
"Do you mean to say l robbed you
last night?"
I IL