The Cotton Factory Times. — 1906-03-09 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SPRIGC LES." Sprigglee arrived a.s he promised, only an hour or so Late. Ile was duet-covered and disarranged, and looked like a man who had passed through an ordeal. The tn.,. of demoralisation were vierible. " Adolphus, what is it ?" He caught two of us up by the arms and gazed upon us wildly, "Ha!" he cried, with a shudder which came from the inner feelings, give Falstaff the lie when he tells of his opponents in buckram Anita and Kendal green, but efaith, I've had a 'venture that has left hut little breath in my body. Upon my soul, when I look book one short hour, I can harffly realise that I am here alive!" He sat down, and after a time he told us his story. He had started to walk from the place where the stage roach had broken down, which had chanced to be near to a little telegraph nation which he found open and whence he sent off the menage we had received. From that point to our hotel, a distance of nine or ten miles, was inaaly through deep woods. When ho had gone two-thirds of the way he was act upon by robers. "I heard a whispering before I earns up," he went on, "but I could see nothing, for it, was very dark in those deep woods. 1.47 pistol was in my trunk on the stage ooaoh. I bad no weapon of any kind. Yet I kept on. Presently a ma,n darted out and caught me by the leg, trying to overthrow me. I knew that he had accomplices behind. for I caught the glimmer of a pipe which a man was smoking by the wayside, and I heard him, a moment afterward, call to his companion-10 the man who had seized roe—in either Spanish or Italian. I struggled with all my might and shouted 'Murder!' and upon that my assailant let go my leg, and sprang at my throat, which he grasped fiercely. He was a ravagelooking wretch, heavily with a red cap on his head, and wearing a dark-coloured blouse. My soul! I never knew before how muds strength I posseased. I tore the villain's hand from my throat, and just then I saw another man advancing from the roadside. What could I do? Situated as I was, without arm, st was to be my money or my life. There was no help.  "Hold on!" I cried. "I'll give you all rve got. Here's my watch—and, here, my purse." And I thrust them into the hands of my immediate wee/lent He let go his hold upon me to take them, and as he did ro I bounded away. Two of the robbers followed me a short distance, but my legs were the best, and I quiokly showed them that they could not overhaul me, I ran while my breath Lusted, and then yrsJked. and when I name to the edge of the village I sat down. But, my boys, here I am, safe and round. It wasn't my gold watch—l don't csn'Y that in my pockets on my tramps—and there were but a few dollars in my purse- Zoundal it's an expense well invested. It's an adventure. Just think of it! I've really had a fight for life in the deep forest at dead of night, with desperate highwaymen. Whew! it'll be something to tell at the club, eh?" Adolphuo having finished his story, we repaired to the office to see when. supper would be ready, for we had waited to eat with them. Arrived in the barroom, we found a new arrival--a peripatetic Italian, with a hand-organ and a large monkey. The monkey had on a red cap and a dark blue blouse. The fellow had been making inquiries. He had in his hand Spriggles's watch and purse. As he came in he was saying—' Il signore-Au-la-via. Ze teams? No—no. Ha! How 'e did runt Oho---ye bcatiuola (pointing to his monkey) make 'ins moosh affright Mut!" The rest can be better imagined than told. Suffice it to say, however, that Spriggles, instead of laying tip the adventure for future entertainment of his friends, begged of us most earnestly never to mention it. As for the Italian, we were satisfied that he was innocent.. He had sat down to rest, and hail left the monkey to ran at pleasure; and it seemed that Spriggles hivi been eating an apple as he Came along, which apple had excited die bestiuola's appetite and cupidity.