The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-16

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ct, hoping that 1t would satisfy him;
but he was mistaken.
And Is 1t with the likes Of this
I'm after letting you off?-a few
paltry tin.pennies! Arrah, don't stand
shivering and shaking there, but pull
out your purse Immediately, or I'll
bate you as blue as milestone"
His lordship most reluctantly yield
ed his well-filled purse, saying in
tremulous accents: my good fellow,
there it is; don't ill-use me; I've for
given you all; pray let me depart"
Fair and softly, If you phase; as
sure as I'm not good fellow, 1 haven't
done with you yet. must sarch for
your note-case, for I'll engage you
have few bits of paper payable at
the bank; so hand it over or you'll
sup sorrow tonight"
1t was given up. The bishop made
an instructive movement as though
anxious to escape from further pill
lage.
Wait while, or maybe shall get
angry with you; hand over your
watch and seals, and then you may
trudge.'
Surely you have taken. enough;
leave my watch, anil I'll forgive all
you have DONE"
who ax'd your forgiveness, you old
varmint? Don't force me to do any.
thing I'll be sorry for-but without
any more bother, just give me the
watch"
+, And he jerked the bludgeon from
his right hand to his left, spat in the
horny palm of the former, and re-
grasped the formidable weapon; this
action was not UNDECIDED by his vic
tim he drew forth the golden time
piece, and with heavy sigh handed
it to the spoiler.
1t needed no persuasion to induce
the bishop to turn his back upon the
despoiler of his worldly goods, and,
having no weight to carry, he set Off
at what equestrians term "a hard
canter. Scarcely, however, had he
reached the middle of the precipitous
road when he perceived his persecu
tor running after him.
Stop, you nimble-footed thief of
the world" roared the robber-"stop,
tell you. I've a parting word with
you yet
The exhausted and defenseless cler-
gylnan, finding it impossible to con
tinue his fight, suddenly came to u
standstill The fellow approached, ana
his face, instead of its former fe
rocity, was lit up with whimsical
ROBUSTNESS of expression as he said
And is it likely that I'd let you Off
with better coat on your back than
my own? and will be after losing the
chance of that elegant hat and wig?
OFF with them this moment, and then
you'll be quit O. me-
The footpad quickly Invested the
bishop of his single breasted coat, laid
violent hands upon the clerical hat and
full buttoned wig. put them on his
own person, and then insisted on see
ing his late apparel used In their
stead, and with a loud laugh, ran off
Thankful of having escaped with I'M
broken bones, his lordship was not
long in overtaking his carriage.
My dear William" exclaimed his
affable wife, after listening to the &C
count of the perils to which her hus-
band had been exposed, for heavens
sake, take off that filthy jacket and
throw 1t out of the window. You can
put my warm cloak over your Shout
ders till we reach the next stage, and
then you will be able to purchase
some habit much better suited to
your habit and calling"
That is more easily said than done,
my love-, he replied; 1 have lost all
the money | possessed; not single
guinea is left to pay our expenses to-
night. My watch, too that SO dear
ly prize. Everything gone! Miser-
aDle man tnat 1 am.
Never mind your watch or any
thing else just now; only pull off that
mass of filth, | implore you; who
knows what horrid contagion we
might all catch il you persist In wear
ing it?"
Take it off, dear papa" observed
the daughter, but don't throw it
away; it may lead to the detection of
the wretch who robbed you"
The obnoxious garment was re-
moved. The young lady was about
to place it under the seat when she
heard jingling noise that attracted
her attention. and on examination
found secreted in various parts of the
coat not only the watch, pocketbook.
purse and silver of which her ia.
Their had been deprived, but yellow
canvas haQ onnh ae mead he forrnaro