The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-27

ne puSueu MIN away az 2rms
length, holding him out for inspec-
ton.
His prisoner took one look at him
and his heart sank.
This was not the regular patrolman
on that block, whom he knew.
It was . substitute-who did not
know him!
I've caught yez red-handed!" said
the other. "Ye were tryin' to break
into this house"
AS I've got a right to do. you
fool" rasped Mr.. Googe. 81 own this
house: it's mine. l can 90 into It any
way like"
That's good one!" scoffed the
patrolman. "Yez look like the owner
Of house like this-I don't Think"
His eyes scornfully swept over Mr..
Cooge's dilapidated appearance.
Il can prove who I ami" snapped
his captive.
Yell have tn chance!" returned
the officer. when I trot We to the
lockup!"
Mt Googe looked at the man. He
knew no words of his could ever
pierce the abysmal unintelligence Of
the special cop" And he wanted to
60 to bed-he was tired. tagged out
bed was where he ought to be!
"All right" he said shortly. Take
me to the station-house. It's right
round the corner I'll go with you
quietly. I'm known there. and 1t won't
take two minutes to prove TO you
what a blockhead you are!"
"I'll take We there fast enough" re-
torted the officer. when I've got yer
confederate"
Mr.. Googe started.
"My-what?" he exclaimed.
"Yer confederate" repeated the
patrolman firmly. There wuz two av
We on the job of breakin' into this
house. saw yer pal go over the fence
from the street beyand, before you
came round just now. And I'll not
take yez to Jail till I've caught tn
both nv yez!"
The fellow had watched Mr.. Googe's
first entrance to the house, and now
thought his present prisoner was a
second "burglar!"
The humor Of the situation was not
manifest to Mr.. Googe, however.
He wanted to 60 to bed!
Yet. until this prince of stupidity
before him found the nonexisting
!! Confederate he was after, Mr.. Googe
would not be taken to the station
house, where he could be identified
and released from the clutches Of the
Officer who had him in his hold.
He could not go to bed till the
patrolman found q duplicate Of Mr..
Googe himself!
In vain did he explain, argue. pro
test, and complain to the obstinate
fool of q man who would not let him
90.
whist. now!" ordered his captor,
at the end Of Ave minutes Of impas-
stoned oratory on the part of Mr..
Googe. "You come wit me, quiet,
mind. an we'll nab yer buddy that's
inside the house! Come along!"
Still protesting-in whispers which
were forced-against doing anything
of the kind. Mr.. Googe was led inside
his own home by the iron hand Of
F, his Nemesis
They started at the basement. and
went slowly through the house. The
search was slow. Mr.. Googe was
about ready to drop at the end Of a
half-hour, during which he had finally
! talked himself into insanely wrath.
full speechlessness.
And then
The patrolman dashed suddenly for.
ward into shadowy corner of the
second-floor bedroom, dragging Mr..
Googe behind him, and clutched, with
his free hand. the collar Of man who
was hiding In the dark!
Got ye. me daddy buck!" He re-
| peated his first words to Mr.. 0ooge
of the previous half-hour.
"rI 90 quiet!" gasped the second
prisoner.
All three moved quietly-Mr. Googe
being too stunned with surprise for
words-to the station-house round the
corner.
There the gentleman was instantly
released. and the man who was found
In the house told his story.
Il was sleepin' In the vacant lot.
when this guy come through and
walked me up" said the fellow-a
tramp. II follered him. He went In
through kitchen window-and went
in . minute or two later. 1t was
warm inside. I was lookin' for some
place to sleep comftable-honest. I
wasn't goin' T. steal nothin,. An then
this cop caught me-which IL all.
gents!"
"Well, well!" said Mr.. Googe. turn
ing to the special patrolman. You
made q mistake-but l have you to
thank that my house wasn't burgled
by this hobo!"
He stepped forward and presented
the red-faced offlcer with what little
money he had in his pockets. as he
shook his hand.
And then. with q brisk good night
all round. he went home-to bed.
Or, rather. to the third scaling OF
the high board fence!
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