Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1896 — TURNED THE TABLES. [ARTICLE]

TURNED THE TABLES.

Hew a Mharg Drnmmer Ge* toe Mart *f • Maxlean Handl*. “From some of the reports circulated in the east,” said German P. Tetnew, of .Galveston, Tex., the other night, “one is led to believe thst the western, particularly the fur southwestern, citizen is a pretty bad naan, whose chief amusement and means of gaining a livelihood consist of highway robbery. But I think the finest piece of ‘holding up! I ever heard of was accomplished by a young New Yorker who traveled in our state and Mexico for a druggists* fancy articles manufactory. “This young man,” he continued, “was traveling in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, about two years ago and went one night to Saltillo, the capital of the state. It was the first time he had been in the town, and, after transacting a little business, ho started out to see the sights. As he entered an isolated street he was suddenly confronted by a brig*-andrsli-luoking fellow, who, in glib mongrel Spanish, demanded his valuables, with accompany ing gestures that made his meaning perfectly intelligible to ths intended victim. The highwayman held in one hand a long, sinisterlooking knife and waved it about in a suggestive manner which implied the necessity of ready compliance with his wishes or a tragic result. "But the salesman was a man of quick wit and ready resources. Instead of handing over his property he thrust his hand into his pocket, and a moment later the cold, shiny barrel of what seemed to be a revolver was pointed at the would-be robber’s head. " ‘Excuse me,* said the young man. ‘but this is my game? “Naturally, the surprise caused by the unexpected production of the supposed revolver produced a change in the confident manner In which the robber had confronted the New Yorker, and he started back. Instantly the salesman knocked the knife from his hand, stooped down, picked it up, took the highwayman by the collar before ho could escape and marched him before the police authorities. At ths preliminary trial of the would-be robber tho following morning the guilt of the prisoner was already established, and hia commitment was about to follow when he asked if it were not an offense for strangers in the country to carry concealed weapons. Ho was told that it was. Then hs demanded the arrest of the young salesman, charging him with carrying a revolver. The native justice asked the salesman If the charge was true. This was admitted. He was then asked if he still had the weapon concealed on his person. The young man said he had, but pleaded that its possession had the night before prevented a robbery and possibly murder. He was informed that such a circumstance did not alter the case and that he had violated the law. "The prisoner smiled sardonically on, beholding the tight place into which the authorities were seemingly draw, ing the New Yorker, but his mirth turned to disgust when the young man pulled the revolver from his pocket and laid it down before the magistrate. It was nothing but a cologne atomizer fashioned in the shape of a revolver, such as were manufactured in quantities several years ajpo.”—Baltimore Sun.