The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-29
Eyes, for little while" answered

they went away, said the visitor. '.SC
l thO't I'd call 'rOund an take a looE
into this ere box" When he said thi:
he went to the shelf in the corner
took down the box in which Uncle Joe
had put his fifty dollars. and drew out
the money and put it into his pocket .
''Put that backr' cried Willie, in
alarm. at doesn't belong to you.
That's what Uncle Joe is going 10
finish paying for his horses with. -
''Do you s'poSe he will?" said the
tramp, with a coarse laugh. Il don't. "
But You don't mean toto take ii? -
Willie hardly dared to use the word
that was the proper one, under the
circumstances.
Il don't mean nothin' else" was the
reply. 81 see the money put into the
box, an I've been a watchin' my chance
to get at it ever sence. Dyes pose I'd
let such chance slip to make good
haul? You must be green, if you do.
But say, hahn you got nothin' to eat
about the ranch? If y'have, dish up
suthin', an be lively about it
Iii see what can find said Willie,
and went into the kitchen.
You may be sure the poor lad was in
great trouble. Must he allow this man
to take his uncle's hard-earned money?
But how was he to prevent it? He
happened to look at the trap, which re-
manned on the floor where they had left
it when the boy came after his uncle
and aunt. A plan flashed into his mind.
If he could catch the tramp in it, To
think was to act. He had closed the
door after him when he left the front
room. The man on the other side of
it could not see what he was doing. He
placed the lever over the spring, as his
uncle had done. pressed down on it with
all his strength, and succeeded in fast
ening the jaws open. Then he placed
the trap in front of the door opening
INTO the kitchen.
The next thing he did was to take
such articles of food as he found in the
cupboard and put them on the table.
When he had done this he placed the
candle where its light would be thrown
away from the door and the trap in
front of it. A hasty inspection of his
convinced him that the
tramp, in coming into the kitchen.
would not be able to see the trap that
had been set for him. The kitchen floor
was some inches lower than the thresh-
old, and the man would be obliged to
step down; therefore there was no dan
ger of his discovering the trap by hit
ting his foot against it as he might have
lone had it been on level with the
threshold.
''If | fail to catch him, ard he dis
covers what l have intended, there's
no knowing what he'll do" thought
Willie. Il must calculate for a possible
failure, I'll get outside the kitchen
loor before l call him. If he doesn't
get into the trap must run for it. In
-he darkness | can manage to keep out
If his way"
He opened the kitchen-door, took up
lis position just outside it, and called
)ut to the man that his supper was
ready for him.
The door between the two rooms
opened, the man saw the table with the
God upon it. and then he stepped into
,he kitchen-and into the trap! the
avs of which closed on his foot with a
,icious snap. as if they were glad to get
lold of such game. The Oaths and
curses which broke from the mans lips
when he realized that he was caught
Vas fearful to hear, and yet they had
pleasant sound to Willie, for they as
ured him that the thief felt that he had
)een Outwittcd, and that he knew
lie could not escape. Willie's first act
vas to run around to the front door,
through which he entered the living
'oOm and secured his gun. With this
n his possession he felt himself master
If the situation. The tramp started for
he door with the trap fast to his foot.
But the weight of it was so great that
he could not make much Roadway, and
he frightffl grip of its Jaws gave him
10 much pain that he sank down on the
threshold just as Willie came back with
lis gun.
Don't try to get away" cried the
,rave lad. You can't. if you try ever
20 hard. I've got gun, you see, and
II use it if you compel me to-" He
meant what he said and the tramp
Knew it.
''If you'll take this thing off I'll give
'ou back the money" he said.
I'm not quite green enough to do
hat" was the boys answer.
Then the money'll never do you or
lobody else any good, cried the tramp.
md taking it from his pocket he began
o drag himself toward the candle,
With the intention of burning it.
Hold on. therer' cried Willie.
Don't do that! If you do and
he raised his gun threateningly, while
lis eyes flashed fire-''if you do I'll
boot YOU"
The tramp changed his mind at once.
lie saw that the boy was in earnest,
nd he was too sensible to do any thing.
nder the circumstances. which would
cad him to put his threat into exc
ution.
Throw me the money" ordered
Willie. The tramp hesitated. The
10Y raised his gun.
Take it. Their" said the prisoner.
With a great volley of oaths. and a
moment later Willie had the satisfac-
ion of putting the precious fifty dol
ars in his pocket.
"How long are you goin' to keep
ne here?" asked the man. sullenly.
TIL Uncle Joe comes back" an
wered Willie, promptly. Just as he
aid that he heard the gate open and
ONE one came up the path.
Il wonder if it's another tramp?"
bought Willie, in alarm. 1t was Uncle
oe.
What's up?" he cried, as he dis
overed the lad on guard at the door.
Il set the trap and had the good lucE |
D catch something in it, " said Willie |
rawing great breath of relief |
Queer kind CT game, isn't it, Uncle |
oe?"
well. 1 should say sou said Uncle