The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-16


| barn.
Densmore looked sharply about him.
This was Prices. A long, low cabin,
strongly built, with small barred win
| dows, q barn back of it, dreary woods
: upon all sides. A regular den. The de-
tectiye shuddered.
"a bad hole; yet he's the chief If
can catch him, with the dies, it will de-
stroy the gang"
Then with resolution to succeed or
perish he slowly moved toward the
| door.
As he raised his hand to knock, it was
suddenly opened. A heavily-built,
heavily bearded woodsman stood before
him-a man with skill and cunning in
his face, and desperate, threatening
courage in his eyes-a devil to dare, q
giant TO do-Dick Price. He glowed
upon the peddler, shading the Pickering
| torch he held with one brawny hand,
while his piercing glance searched Dens-
more's face.
"What dye want?"
you vas de leetle poy's pa? Dot vas
goot. want something's to eat and
something's to sleep De lettle poy said
So" And, with simple naturalness, Carl
pushed aside the mighty door-man, en-
tered the cabin, threw his pack upon the
| floor, and, with sigh of relief, dropped
onto a low bench near the fire. "Ah,
dot vas gOot.
For an instant anger famed in Prices
face; but before he could speak, back
door opened, and a woman, young, 1.-THE
and charming, entered, and, with
glance at the man before her, said, "Ah,
| this is the peddler Will spoke to me Of
He lost his way, DEAR" she continued,
going to Price, and laying her hand upon
| his arm; ''and Will met him on the
road, and asked him to stay with us to-
night. It's all right.
The passion died from the mans face;
the voice of the woman thrilled Carl.
This girl and the boy who had guided
MIN were one. She was the spy of the
gang.
$50 yer a peddler. eh?" said the host,
advancing, can lost yer way? Wall,
yer welcome to our fire and fare; but I
tell ye little more ceremony will be
i better with Dick Price next time. / was
nigh shakin' vel" and he smiled grimly.
| Carl smiled, too, childlike and bland,
and said, "Yaw." The host and his
companion were amused.
"Where's the boy?" asked Price,
"He went to the barn." replied the
woman, as she busted herself preparing
the evening meal. "He was too tired to
eat, and will not be in tonight"
Carl was sure now that that woman and
boy were one.
A plain butplentiful supper was served,
after which the peddler and his host
drew before the open fire with their
pipes. Naturally, the conversation
turned upon trade, and Dutchy very
willingly told of his success, and even
showed the silver which he had gathered
during the day. Price picked piece of
it from his hand.
"This eres bad, said he.
"Vatl Pad?" and Carl leaned forward
excited. "Oh, you vas foolin'," he con-
tinued, examining the coin. ..Dis will
pass"
'It may pass, but it's counterfeit, all
the same, said Price. I'm sure of it."
''Vell, neffer mind. It's good enough
for me" said the peddler, with SMILE
Il only wish had t'ousand dollars NIT
it."
"Wall, 1 reckon ye could get it, said
Price, resuming his pipe. 81 heard
feller say to-day that thar war lots O it
around"
spy schimminy! would like to get
it, said his companion. '1t vas goot
effery ware CO."
81 know feller what's got some of the
stuff" said Price, in low tone; ''but
he lives a mile from here. Ye could buy
it o him, reckon"
"For how much?" said Carl.
"Oh, may be one-half," returned the
other. 81 can't say. It's bad stuff to
deal with, ye know, and never touch
it."
"One-halfl You mean two dollars for
one? Ply schimminy! I will give two
hundred tollars for four, and get myself
rich!' cried the peddler.
Price smiled.
"But how kin ye pay for it?"
"Never mind I know" said Carl.
"Show me de fellow what got it to sell,
und pay him NIT it.
"Wall, said the host, rising, '1 find
him for ye in the mornin'. Do you want
to turn in?"
'Turn IMP"
"Go ter bed-ter sleep, I mean"
ooh, yawl was tired myself oud to-
night"
A moments consultation with the wo-
man, and Price called the peddler to fol-
low Carl picked up his pack, and
climbed the ladder that led into the loft.
There was shake-down on the floor.
"Thar! It's not the finest bedroom
laughing. Goodnight.
Goodnight" returned Carl
The other disappeared. Densmore
heaved sigh.
ITS hard work playing Dutch" he
muttered.
Then he opened his pack, and from IL
drew two heavy revolvers, bowie-knife,
three pairs of handouts, and the star Of
the United States Secret Service.
"I may have work before morning, u
thought he, "and these are good bed
, fellows"
He removed his coat, blew out the
candle, and lay down, his mind busy
with the events of the day and in form.
ing some plan for the morrow.
> While thus engaged, the sound of q
door stealthily opened attracted his
attention, and q moment later he heard
. mems voices below. Quietly leaving his
a bed, he crept to q knot-hole in the flool
1 and listened.
"But the peddler?"
, It was the woman's voice.
"Never mind him." replied Price
Ned" he continued, apparently ad
dressing the new conner, "we've Gus
:, toner up stairs-a Dutch peddler-ant
= he wants four hundred. I'll bring him te
!. ye in the morning. He'll buy"
The door opened q second time. Press
=, ing his face close to tho floor, Densmort
!. found that he could both SEQ and hear
= Three sharp-looking, roughly-dresset
men entered.
"Ha! all here" said Price, in q low
!; tone. "That is good. 1 want half {
!. thousand O. the queer tonight, for We
o kin send to the Tavern tomorrow, ant
the chap ND above wants some, Did vol