Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1926-01-13
Who Loses in the
Hold-Up
Ey OLE BURN


up for supper.
"Now, Bet" I rallied. you know
very well can't eat beans without
ketchup. SO forgetful so negligent.
So"
very well then, dear, it's only two
blocks to the chain grocery" she sug-
gested sweetly.
And that's how. few minutes later,
| happened to find myself staring into
the muzzle of a siX-shooter.
"Shove over next to the boss"
snapped the masked artillerynan.
Think want to get cross-eyed trying
to cover you both at once?'
THE company's out just $'{1o.4S,
said the grocer, looking ruefuly at his
empty cash drawer
yep" sympathzed. THAT bottle
of ketchup cost me Just forty-two doi,
lars"
What a nuisance it is to be good
citizen! Every evening for the next
week or so I was called to various
police stations TO Identify, if possible
among the recently arrested, our par
ticular cannon-iuggler
Dear" said my wife. when had
returned from my latest nightly fai'1Te
1--WE big surprise for you. ana
handed me my stolen wallet with not
one of the forty-two dollars missing.
"Someone rang the bell; thrust it
into my hand and disappeared before
1 had a chance to see who it was she
smiled.
'Plain as day" >aid. "lhis hold-up
artist is wise lijtla boy. He's afraid
of being caught and identified by M
and so he thought he "f"ht to buy
me off. But that reminds me-lTe
never paid for that ketehup."
I was surprised, on entering the
grocery store, to see my old lieutenant
Wolfert, in earnest conversation with
the managers. After mutual greetings
and INQUIRIES. during which I learned
that the ex-lieutenant was now Il sales
man for the Excelsior Burglary lnslr-
ance company. | told them of the re
turn of my wallet.
That's great stuff" exclaimed Wei
fert "And was just telling MI
Schulz that he needn't worry about the
loss of that money, because I've sue
ceeded in convincing his corporation
TO take ban,;et insurance policy Oh
all their stores throughout the coun
trv. AS part of the transaction we
have agreed to make good their recent
loss. It'll mean lots Of publicity for
US; plenty Of ADVERTISING"
1t was only after | had returned
home and we bad finished supper thai
recalled having neglected to give the
lieutenant my address. Al this mo-
ment our doorbell rang, and Eefore
we had a chance to move We heard the
door opened and banged shut, and
masked figure dashed into our room.
"Lieutenant!" gasped. And in my
excitement the only thing | could say
was. "How did you find out my adj
dresS|
"Ouick :" he snapped. Get out your
checkers. Lively now! Set 'em up.
Just as If he was ordering squads
right"
And obeyed without question.
The doorbal rang. Somebody
knocked.
"Don't forget" said Wolfert, as !
went to omen the door, "Tve been here
a couple Of hours"
When / opened that door and saw
those two burly, determned-looking
policemen before me, almost lost all
nv nerve, and the lieutenant took com
mand Of the situation
Fright this way officers" he called.
eff as I imagine, you're chasing some
one"
"Sure" replied one Of the policemen
"A gun-man !"
"What was the yell in here?' asked
the other.
"The woman heard noise at the
Kitchen window Someone climbing
down the fire escape" WOlfert an
swered promptly.
One of the officers dashed into the
kitchen and out on the fire escape; the
other ran out the door,
or course the chase was unsuccess
full and soon Wolfert and were facing
each other, in silence.
NV musings were interrupted by the
lieutenant taking out Of his pocket
roll of bills Calmly. deliberately. he
began counting.
"These Hadden bakeries do pretty
good business. all right" he remarked.
"You have no kick coming yourself"
| joked But you might have gotten
me into a fine mess" I added serious
ly. you're the last person In the
world I've have suspected Of robbery.
wait; not so fast !" he interrupted
You can't say that"
"Didnt you hold up the Haddon
place and take their money! l asked
my. anger rising.
"Yes." he replied calmly. And
held up Schulz and your ownself not
30 very long ago."
Man" I exclaimed. "Are you madf"
"Whats the matter with you. any