Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-25
MR., BAXTER'S ROBBER
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4
| Mr.. Benjamin Baxter never forgot
| that In college he had been the right
(footbalD tackle Of his time and had
pulled stroke oar In the first university
race in which his college had beaten
utter long series Of defeats. When.
! as middle aged man with a bald
head and somewhat pursy stomach.
he visited Europe be maintained that
I II any sneak thief, robber or bandit
could get away with him he was vel
come to do So 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 visit to
the Coliseum by moonlight. One even
I ing while in the Eternal City. when
the queen Of night was at the full. he
I proposed TO his wife that they go
and view the ruin thus Illuminated.
Mrs. Baxter refused. But he persist
ed
Leaving his hotel on the Esqualine
hill. he strclled down 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 II
looked under the different light. The
great pile. or the remaining two-thirds
Of 1t. built by slaves 1900 years ago.
where gladiators had fought and
Christians had been torn to pieces by
wild beasts. rose against the sky like
the dark silhouette Of mountain Co
| ing around 10 the entrance. Mr.. Baxter
went within the walls and saw anoth-
err sight-the moonlight throwing the
upper portions OF the interior into con-
trast with the shadowy lower parts.
Many visitors were there. but MS the
hour was late they gradually departed.
Suddenly MIR. Baxter found himself
alone. To 70 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-
Guided to make his exit by one OF
them. II was very dark under the
archway through which be passed. es-
pecially since that at that moment
cloud rolled over the moon. Suddenly
he felt some one brush BY him and
cloth fiy against his face. He had
heard that the members Of the Inter.
national League OF Pickpockets we're
then working Rome and were used TO
covering their victims faces with a
newspaper when robbipg them. and II
flashed upop Mr.. Baxter that he was
suffering robbery. Clappinr his hand
to bis 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 be found
that he held n priest.
"Ah. har he cried. $50 you thieves
resort TO the priestly dress TO commit
your depredatiops, But Won can't fool
an American. IN get nv 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. bu, 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 end his porte
monnaie. but found only 10 centessimi.
or cents. Then. after giving the
| fellow his opinion Of him Tin English,.
telling him that be had been very dex-
ferrous In passing his plumber to dark
figure whose footsteps were to be
heard running away. Mr. Baxter re-
membered that. after all. there were
only q few Eve lire bills In the porte
| monnaie. So be gave the thief a sound
| drubbing and q Hnal kick and started
out Of the ruin quite pleased that he
| had lost none Of his youthful strength
or courage. The only fear he felt was
at a possibility Of having to appear
in court against the robber. On arriv-
! ing at his hotel be told his adventure
| to his wife.