Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-18
NOBLE DYKEMAN

Henry Dykeman's mind was occupied
with deeds OF daring. Our little set of
newspaper reporters-Dykcmnn was
one OF us-was constantly treated by
him to some fnnciful exploit In which
he had been engaged, though ne mod
estly left oil tho credit to some ono
clse. At one time he had come upon
man overpowefed by footpads Just
In time, with tho assistance OF others.
to drive tho rascnls Off. At another he
had rescued child from the fourth
story OF burning building, mention
Ing, Py the way, that woman had
been rescued from tho flfth story by
some ono, else under far moro difficult
circumstances. Then there were con-
slant encounters with men I'm the
dives where Dykeman considered IT
necessary TO go In the pursuance Of
some OF his assignments for criminal
news. Occasionally some ono not ac-
quninted with him would hear him re-
count these episodes and sheer, but
those OF us who belonged to the
gang" as we unexpectedly referred
to ourselves, believed that uDylSeman
was simply suffering from having got
into the wrong sphere OF life and his
stories OF adventure were hissings of
steam from his safety valve.
"You were missing last night, Dyke
man." i would say to him at dinner
when we were assembled Mt the little
restaurant I'm the alley where we all
dined together. Where do you spend
your evenings when or duty?"
Last niRht-iet me see All. I re-
member! Last night J. was walking
on - street when a woman threw. up
n window in a house l. swas passing
and cried for help1e went In and
found thief, who had got into the
Second floor Of the house while the
faInily'rwora ut dinner, Just climbing
downn iatt1ceworlt from n rear porch.
| reached over and, SELLING his coat
collar, drew him UP. Just then n po-
licemnn entered ard 1 turned him
over"
'Dsdany one else come IN for any of
tho crGdit" asked ono OF the gang.
'Res; lit was all due to the woman
who called for help. She had induced
the man 10 enter closet by assuring
him that be would find the silver there.
and when she got him I'm she slammed
the door and turned the key. How
ever, the door was frail, and he broke
IL down. / tell you she was pucky,
that woman"
but where were you the night be-
fore md the night before that? You
are never with US any more. Do you
rescue some ono every night7"
A panied expression came over his
face, and i FASTENED to nod:
Never mind, dear boy You shall
spend your evenings where you please"
Nevertheless curiosity got tho better
OF us, and many were our discussions
as to how Dykemnn occupied his lei
sure hours. One said that he was SO
cretly taking boxing lessons. another
that no had Joined the militia and WIS
giving all his spare time In Dim. Dyke
man himself when twitted with tho
subject gave out that he had n Job TO
shadow northumberland.
Time gave no explanation. so nj last
we concluded 10 hunt up one for our
selves. Choosing an evening when we
were all off duty together, we made
our arrangements 90 follow Dykeman.
VIII you go to the theater this even
mgr ! asked him. I'VE are all OF
tonight and can take in any show you
like"
Thanks. would like to be with
you, but you See
II don't see"
well, then, there Is n bank"--
which Is 10 be robbed tonight" 81
How did you know that?'
Never mind. 90 on"
"Thcy need some man who IS Quick
on the trigger. who has plenty OF
muscle
Tint WIFI do. Business before pleas
ure You can go 90 tho theater with
US some othor evening"
We left Dykeman sitting over a glass
or sour wine and sailed forth. osten-
sibly TO the tbeater, really 90 places OF
from which we watched
III he came out, then followed him.
He soon stopped at a candy store.
from which be emerged with paper
Of sweets.
rs he going to head of the bank
robbers by pepperlng them with bon
boHsT remarked one Of the gang"
a second stop was at n fruit stand
Wheifku he DurchaSp Soma toscfo,,.