The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-16
TheAmateur Gentleman
By Jeffrey FarnoI

~ FarnOl-
used 70 vindictiveness. 4 brick
now. he unused, his eyes wandering
again, a brick I could ha' took
kinder, bricks an SIGH I'm prepared
for. but coping stones-Lard love
me-"
But a brick would have killed you
just the same"
Killed me? A brick? Oh no. sir!"
But. If 1t had hit you on the
head"
on the at sir, the 'at-or as you
might say-the castor-this, sir, 4"
said Mr.. Shrig; and glancing fur
lively up and down the gloomy alley
he took of the broad -brimmed hat;
Just run your OCles over this ere
castor O. mine, an you'll under
stand, perhaps"
IT'S very heavy said Barnabas,
Il as he took the hat.
"Ah. it is A bit eavyish, sir. Peep
inside Of it."
why" exclaimed Barnabas, its
lined with"
Iron. sir. Ny own invention
agIn windictiveness in the shape O.
bricks an bludgeons, an very use
ful an comfortin's I've found it.
But If they're going TO begin on me
With coping-stones-vy Lord" And
Mr.. Shrig sighed his gentle sigh,
and rubbed his placid brow, and
once more covered 1t with the in
wentIOn" And now sir, you've got
a pair o. good, long legs-can We use
emp"
Use themes. Why?"
Because it's about time as We
cut our stick an run for it."
What are we 10 run for?"
Because they're arter me-nine
on 'em-cOnsequent they're arter
YOU too. d We see. There's four on
EN- behind us. an five on EN- in
front. You can't see EN- because
they're layin' low And they're bad
unS all. an they means business.
What fight?"
AS ever vas. sir. I've 'ad my eye
on EN- some time. That ere cop
ng-stOne vas the signal"
"Hai" said Barnabas, buttOning
up his coat.
Now, are We ready, sir?"
"Quitel"
Then keep close behind me-go!"
With the word Mr.. Shrig began to
run. always keeping close beside the
wall: indeed he ran SO fast and was
so very nimble that Barnabas had
some ado 10 keep up with him. They
had gone but little distance when
five rOugh-lOoking fellows started
into view further up the alley, COM
pletely blocking their advance. and
by the Clatter of feet behind, Barna-
bas knew that their retreat was cut
of. and inStinctively he set his
teeth. and gripped his cane more
firmly.
But on ran Mr.. Shrig, keeping
/ close beside the wall, head low.
shoulders back, elbows well in. for
all the world as if he intended to
hurl himself upon his asssilants in
some desperate hope OF breaking
through them: but all at once, like
a rabbit into his burrOw, he turned
short of in mid career. and van
ished down a dark and very narrow
entry or passage. and, as Barnabas
followed, he heard, above the vi
ciOuS thud of footsteps. hoarse cries
Of anger and disappointment. Half
way down the passage Mr.. Shrig
halted abruptly and turned. as the
first Of their pursuerS appeared.
"ThiSu do" he painted, swinging
the nObbly stick in his hand, cant
come on more nor two at vunce. Be
ready With your stick-at their eyes
poke at 'em-no lifting" the
rest was drowned in the echoing
rush of heavy feet and the boom
Of hoarse voices.
But now, seeing their quarry
stand on the defensive, the pursuers
/ checked their advance, their cries
/ sank to growing murmurs. till, with
| a fierce shout. one of their number
rushed forward brandishing a heavy
stick. whereupOn the others fol-
lowed. and there, in the echoing
! dimneSS. the battle was joined, and
waxed furious and grim.
CTO Be Continued