Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-07-31
was easy enough to be imposed on.
l RtIffennd M

WAS ABOUT 10 explain tnht 1 was
doing the right thing, when who
should come along but a big police
man. AS he started across the street
toward us, Bill jumped away as though
he were afraid of him. at the same
time scowllng at me.
at was oil so comlcal, for, OF
course, underneath his scowl he was
really laughing and I almost burst out
laughing myself. Tomorrow will 60
where he lives and jolly him good
because I was too smart for him.
after Bill left I had a talk with
the policeman, who warned me to be
careful of toughs who might slip into
the water and then climb up the piles
onto the end Of the wharf. But l am
not afraid.
Must close now, father and begin
watching my property once more. Bill
told me to do the right thing and
that is Just what / am going to do"
(From the Dead Letter Office)
"Bill, am writing this, not only
because have good news for you,
but | want to know what has hap
pened to you.
Every day for the past two weeks
have gone down to your roomlng-
house and each time Mrs. Burke has
told me that she has not seen you.
Also, she says she has never heard OF
the Strangers Aid society, and so can
not give me the address That Is why
l am sending this letter simply in
care Of the society, hoping that the
post Office may be able to supply street
and number.
Last night when dropped In be-
fore going on the job, l found Mrs.
Burke was going to sell your stuff to
pay your room-rent; but knew you
would not like this so paid her six
dollars and took your clothes and
satchel over to my room where you
can get them when you come back,
which hope will be soon.
"But now listen to the good news.
1.-THE last time 1 saw you, that first
night when you tested me to see If l
was honest, began to figure out some
thing you said. You remember you
told me you expected me to do the
right thing
"Well, thought, am I doing the
right thing by writing to my father
while I am supposed to be on guard
as nlght-watchmanf decided I
wasn't. So, finishing the letter hur-
riedly, began to patrol the ware
house as though q bunch Of pirates
were getting ready to kidnap me. (Ha
haO
ut was after twelve. Passing into
the moonlight from the shadow Of the
warehouse could not have been
more than six feet from the edge Of
the wharf-when all Of sudden, for
no reason at all, ducked to one side.
AS I twisted my head, big piece Of
iron few past my right ear, hitting
me little on the shoulder If 1t had
struck my head 1t would have caved
in my skull.
For about a hundredth Of min
ute couldn't figure what had hap
pened, but as l struggled to get on my
feet saw somebody leaving the
shadow with aEevolver held the wrong
end. suppose he was going to finish
the job.
IF | had been as wise then as l
am now I would have pulled my gun
and shot at him, but | didn't want to
hurt him, so all did was to peg my
club in his direction. II must have
caught him In the face, because he
spluttered and turning his revolver be-
gan to fire.
"Why was not killed. don't know,
because he banged away three times
before drew my gun, and once after.
"But l was the better shot. fired
only once and that was enough. He
pulled the trigger again, dropped his
gun and went whlrllng and staggering
around as though he had been punched
In the wind.
"All ut once ] felt sorry for him
and tried to catch him before he fell.
But was not quick enough. He wob-
bled back, trlpped and fell down If
teen feet into the black water.
yelled for help but Of course nobody
came because the place was locked.
was going to dive over myself and try
to get him, but was glad | didn't be-
cause while was standing there. l
became faint. and pretty nearly fell
over the side myself.
"a little later whole crowd OF
watchmen and cops and other night
workers were shaking me by the hand
and offering to buy me drinks and
telling me I was hero.
$50 you see, Bill, have made good,
though am more sorry than anybody
knows to think / had to make good
by shooting fellow man. Well, he
tried to kill me, and got 1t himself;
that's all there Is to 1t.
But, anyhow. you don't have to
worry about this here's what | want
you to think about Bill: There Is a
big chance here for men who are re-
liable and are willing to start at the
bottom and work up. Next week,
Mr. Accord, who thinks am all right,
is going TO give me chance In the
office. When told him had one Of
the finest fellows In New York for
friend, he said he would be willing to
try you out at my old place.
"Of course, at first this may not
mean as much money MS you are get
ting at present. but think Of the
chance Of advancement And perhaps
you may be able to work for the
Strangers Aid society on the side.
"Thlnk Of IT, Bill fifteen years from
now we may be p'r'asrs old scout.
and I'd never ask for . better partner
than you because yoa're the finest
frlnnd a fnllnAu .Nnr Ind