Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-01-26

cigar would be enough. The total
would not be SO high as to call forth
any supreme manifestation of revenge
from the cafe management, and yet
the meat would leave him filed and
happy for the journey to his winter
refuge.
But as Soapy set foot inside the res
taurant door the head walters eye fell
upon his frayed trousers and decadent
shoes. Strong and ready hands turned
him about and conveyed him in silence
and haste to the sidewalk and averted
the ignoble fate of the menaced NAL
lard.
Soapy turned off Broadway. 1t seem
ed that his route to the coveted island
was not to be an epicurean one. Some
other way Of entering limbo must be
thought of.
At a corner of Sixth avenue electric
lights and cunningly displayed wares
behind plate glass made a shop win
dow conspicuous. Soapy took a cobble-
stone and dashed it through the glass.
People anne running around the cor
ner, a policeman In the lead. Soapy
stood still with his hands In his peck
cts and smiled at the sight of brass
buttons.
where's the man that done that?''
inquired the officer excitedly.
Don't you figure out that I might
have had something to do with itf"
said Soapy, not without sarcasm, but
friendly, as n greets good fortune.
The policeman's mind refused to ac-
cept Soapy even as a clew. Men who
smash windows do not remain to par
ley with the laws minions. They take
to their heels. The policeman saw a
man halfway down the block running
to catch a car. With drawn club he
Joined in the pursuit. Soapy, with dis
gust In his heart, loafed along, twice
unsuccessful.
On the opposite side of the street
was a restaurant Of no great preten-
sions. 1t catered to large appetites
and modest purses. It's crockery and
napery thin. Into this place Soapy
took his accusiye shoes and telltale
trousers without challenge. At a table
he sat and consumed beefsteak, flap
jacks, d%oughnuts and pie. > And then
to the waiter he betrayed the fact
that the minutest coin and himself
were strangers.
Nov get busy and call a cop" said
Soapy, "and don't keep a gentleman
waiting"
mo cop for youse," said the waiter.
with a voice like butter cakes and an
eye like the cherry in a Manhattan
cocktail. "Hey, Conf"
Neatly upon his left ear on the cal
lous pavement two walters pitched
Soapy. He arose, joint by joint, as a
carpenters rule opens, and beat the
dust from his clothes. Arrest seemed
but a rosy dream. The island seem
ed yaryr e~r nra- nnlio~-ean y-h~
sto1d before a drug store two doors
away laughed and walked down the
street.
Five blocks Soapy Travelled before
his courage. permitted him to woo cap
ture again. This time the opportunity
presented what he f~atuously termed
10 1lIlStll IL CI1Cu. n 5Ouuk WODl-
an of a modest and pleasing guise was
standing before a show window gaz-
ing with sprightly interest at its dis
play of shaving mugs and inkstands,
and two yards from the window a
large policeman of severe demeanor
leaned against a water plug.
1t was Soapy's design to assume the
role of the despicable and .execrated
"masher.' The refined and elegant ap-
pearance of his victim and the CONT
guilty of the conscientious cop encour-
aged him to believe that he would
soon feel the pleasant official clutch
upon his arm that would insure his
winter quarters on the right little,
tight little isle.
Soapy Strengthened the lady mission
ary's ready made tie, dragged his
shrinking cuffs into the open, set his
hat at a killing cant and sided to-
ward the young woman. He made
eyes at her, was taken with sudden
coughs and "henls," smiled, smirked
and went brazenly through the impu-
dent and contemplate litany of the
"masher." With half an eye Soapy
saw that the policeman was watching
him fixedly. The young woman NOV
ed away a few steps and again be-
slowed her absorbed attention upon
the shaving mugs. Soapy followed,
boldly stepping TO her side, raised his
hat and said:
"Ah, there, Bedelia! Don't you want
to come and play in my yardY' :
The policeman was still looking. The
prosecuted young woman had but to
beckon a finger and SOapy would be
practically ell route Tor his insular ha-
ven. Already he imagined he could fee
the coy warmth of the station house.
The young faced him and,
stretching out a hand. caught Soapy's
coat sleeve.
"Sure. Nike she said ioyfully, "if