The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-12-16

eco to the door, and I'll run and tell
father" and he disappeared toward the
barp.
This was Prices. A long, low cabin,
strongly built, with small barred win
dows, barn back of it, dreary woods
upon all sides. A regular den. The de-
tective shuddered.
"a bad hole; yet he's the chief. fl
can catch him, with the dies, it will de-
stroy the gang"
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, a
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. 1 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 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 o
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; s'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.
80 yer peddler, eh?" said the host,
advancing, ''an' lost yer way? Wall,
yer welcome to our fire and fare; but
tell ye little more ceremony will be
better with Dick Price next time. I was
nigh shakin' yel'' and he smiled grimly.
Carl smiled, too, childike 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 ere's bad, I" said he.
''Vati 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. Z"
'FVell, neffer mind It's good enough
for me-" said the peddler, with q smile.
81 only wish I had t'ousand dollars NIT
it."
"Wall, reckon ye could get it, :" said
Price, resuming his pipe. 81 heard a
feller say to-day that thar war lots o it
around"
''Py schimminyl I would like to get
it, said his companion. 'It vas goot
effery ware l CO."
81 know feller what's got some of the
stuff" said Price, in a low tone; ''but
he lives mile from here. Ye could buy
it O him, 1 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 I never touch
sOne-half! You mean two dollars for
one? Ply schimminy! I will give two
hundred tollars for four, and get myself
richw cried the peddler.
Price smiled.
'But how kin ye pay for it?"
''Never mind. 1 know" said Carl.
''Show me de fellow what got it to sell,
und pay him NIT it. !"
'fWall," said the host, rising, sI find
him for ye in the mornin'. Do you want
to turn in?"
''Turn in?"
''Go ter bed-ter sleep, I mean"
t'Oh, yaw 1 was tired myself oud to-
night y
A moments consultation with the wo
man, and Price called the peddler to fol
low. Carl picked up his pack, an6
climbed the ladder that led into the loft
There was shake-down on the floor.
''Thar! It's not the finest bedroom
in the world, but yell Sleep" said Price
laughing. Goodnight" I"
5 Goodnight" returned Carl.
4 The other disappeared. Densmor,
/ heaved sigh.
d "It's hard work playing Dutch" b
5 muttered.
q Then he opened his pack, and from
: drew two heavy revolvers, bowie-knife
: ! three pairs of handouts, and the star o
the United States Secret Service.
81 may have work before morning,
b thought he, "and these are good bed
p fellows"
d He removed his coat, blew out tn
], candle, and lay down, his mind bus
It with the events of the day and in form
ing some plan for the morrow.
q While thus engaged, the sound of
door stealthily opened attracted hi
It attention, and O moment later he hear
!" mems voices below. Quietly leaving hi
q bed, he crept to a knot-hole In the hoo
if and listened.
"But the peddler?"
II 1t was the woman's voice.
= "Never mind him." replied Price
!" "Ned," he continued, apparently &C
dressing the new conner, ''we've a cu'
. toner up stairs-a Dutch peddler-an
IL he wants four hundred. I'll bring him
!, T. ye in the morning. He'll buy"
10 The door opened q second time. Press