Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-03-08

LEARNED A LESSON
BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE!


1t is unlikely that young Mr.. ]. O.,
A. Boggs will ever carry big wad of
bills around with him again. He has
learned his lesson. one that he will
never forget On the day In question
he had drawn the bills from the bank
on the afternoon before pay day, for a
special reason-he wanted to get of
considerable amount of time to go to
the bank His idea was to take the
bills home, count and arrange them
for the men and save himself pile
of work the next morning. It was
dusk when he started from hts Office,
He failed to notice the burly indi-
vidual who logged his footsteps on
the way home. but that burly indi-
vidual had not failed to notice him.
At particularly dark spot in the
street, something suddenly doomed up
before Mr.. Bogg's vision--that some
thing was the burly individual. He
didn't waste words. No sooner was
he aware that Mr.. Boggs had seen
him than he, hit Mr.. Boggs first on
one side of the head and then on the
other.
Il guess you won't remember much
after this. me buck" he muttered to
himself, as he helped himself to the
roll of bills. He did so hurriedly, for
Mr. Boggs uttered stified cry for
help. The cry was heard, and unfor-
tunately for the robber, two police
men doomed into view. They saw the
thief just as he was rising from
STOPPING posture above the PROSTATE
man. They leveled their revolvers.
Haiti" they cried in unison. Tho
robber laughed as he started off at an
easy gait that became faster as he
ran. One Of the policemen followed
the other pulled Mr. Boggs over to a
place Of safety and then Joined in the
chase The thief led them on, first
up one street. then down another,
constantly doubling on his tracks.
Occasionally a citizen would Join in
the pursuit. Suddenly, when the fore
most officer had almost grabbed him
both had long since emptied their
revolvers-he darted hastily around
corner and disappeared. But the po-
lice were close on his heels and as
they turned the corner they heard a
door suddenly slam They located the
sound, and crossing to the house, at
tempted to force their way in. They
did not try long. A man appeared
at the door and opened It with such
Willingness that an officer, whose
shoulder had been pushing It too hard.
fell fiat within the passageway
Gentlemen" said the man who had
opened the door what can I do for
you" AS he spol.e he appeared to
be slightly out of breath. The officers
grabbed him. I'VE want you!" they
exclaimed.
The man gasped with surprise.
What for?" he asked. You're the
fellow that robbed a man in Quimby
street." they said. He gasped again.
Robbed man." he went on, I'm
possible. Why, have just come
home from work" You've been run
ming" said one officer. Exactly" re-
sponded the man, for was late, In
fact reached the house Just before
you came" This conversation occu-
pied several minutes. There was q
clock on the mantel. Il was Just eight
o'clock An officer took out his watch
and verified the time. The other one
had taken a note Of the time OF the
robbery. It had occurred at 25 min
utes after seven.
They searched the house, bit they
did not find the bills The man OF
the house, Higgins az he gave his
name, was quite amused at the little
episode, but he was not so much
amused when they took him around
to the station house and locked him
up. He was held for trial The trial
came on. The police went on the
stand and proved their case. They
had chased man to the corner In
question, and they had heard this
door slam. they went in. the man ad-
mitted that he had been running-the
case was clear to their minds.
The prisoner was nonplussed. He
took the stand and protested that he
was innocent Dear mel" he ex-
claimed, IT the law would only allow
me tor call Mr.. IIumbert, the clock
maker. Why, your honor, was In his
place for one whole hour, from 6 :55 to
7:55. and was due at my home at
eight o'clock, 80 ! ran. II the law
would but let me call him, / could
prove what I say" The Judge looked
over his glasses. 1.-THE law allows you
to call him, cir" he said. why don't
you call him." The prisoner hest
tated II have no counsel, your hon
or" he explained. "and I could not
get Mr. Humbert here. How can get
him." The court called an officer and
told him to take the address OF this
man Humbert and get him here at
once. The officer went around TO a
dlngy little store that he had never
seen before. In front OF II there was
a man with a bare head, taking a sun
bath. He was a good.sized man.
"Mr. Humbert?" asked the officer. The |
otheE nodded. You're wanted down
at court" he went on. Get your
hat" Me-" said Humbert, pulling
u skullcap from hin pocket. Indeed!
What for?" Prisoner in that Boggs
robbery case says he was in your store
that night. Was he?" The man who
called himself Humbert scratched bis
head Ridiculous" he said. "Of |
course he wasn't" Neither the Off
Ger nor the man called Humbert had
veDtured inside the store. They i'm
mediately went TO court. The Judge