River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-08-26

ekhoNA -
"TII see what can find" said Will
lie. and went into the kitchen.
You may be sure the poor lad was in
great troub G. Must he allow this man
10 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
eft it when the boy came after his
uncle and aunt. A plan flashed into
his mind. If he could catch the tramp
i'm 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 il with all his strength, and
succeeded in fastening 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
arrangement 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
threshold. and the man would be
obliged 10 step down; therefore there
was no danger of discovering the trap
BY hitting his foot against it As he
might have done had il been on a level
with the threshold.
If fail TO catch him, and he dis
covers what | have intended, there 5
no knowing what he'll do thought
Willie. I'll get outside the Kitchen
door before ! call him. If he doesn't
get into the trap | must run for it. In
the darkness can manage to keep out
of his way
He opened the kitchen door. took up
his position Just outside it, and called
out TO the man that his supper was
ready for him.
The door between the two rooms
opened, the man saw the table with the
food upon it, and :hen he stepped into
the kitchen and into the trap! the
laws of which closed on his foot with
vicious snap. as if they We're glad 10
get hold of such game. The oaths and
curses which broke from the man ;
lips when he realized that he was
caught were fearful TO hear. and yet
they had pleasant sound TO Willie,
for they assured him that the thief felt
that lie had been outwitted, and that
he knew he could not escape. Wiliie's
first act was to run around to the front
door. through which he entered the
living room aud secured his gun. With
this in his possession he felt himself
master of the situation.
The tramp started for tine door with
the trap fast To his foot. But the
weight of IL was so great that he could
not make much Roadway. and the
frightful grip of It's jaws gave him 50
much pain that he sank down on the
threshold Just as Willie came back
with his gun.
Don try to get away!" cried the
brave lad. You cant. if you try
ever so hard. I've got a gun, You see.
and I'll use il if you compel me TO. :
lie meant what ne said and the tramp
knew it.
III you'll take this thing of III
give YOU back the money he said.
I'm not quite green enough to DO
that was the boy ; answer.
linen the money'll never do you or
nobody else any good cried the
tramp, and taking it from his pocket
he began to drag himself toward the
candle, with the intention of burning
it.
Hold on thcre," cried Willie
Don't do that If YOU do" and be
raised his gun threateningly. while his
eyes flashed iire-''if you DO I'll shoot
YOU
The tramp changed his mind ut
once. file saw that the boy was in
earnest. and he was too sensible 10 do
which would lead him to ruthis threat
into execution.
Throw me the money" ordered
Willie. The tramp hesitated. The
boy raised his Gun.
Take il, then, said the prisoner,
with great volley of oaths, and a
moment later Willie had the satisfac-
ton of putting the precious fifty dollars
II his pocket.
How long are you goin' to keep me
fere?' asked the man, sullenly.
It'll Uncle Joe comes back. y
answered Willie, promptly. just as he
said that he heard the gate open and
someone came up the path.
Il wonder il it's another tramp ~
thought Willie, in has alarm 1t was
Uncle Joe.
What's up?'' he cried. as he :
covered the lad on guard at the door.
Il set the trap and had the good luck
to catch someone III it," said Willie,
drawing a great breath of relief
.Quee. kind Of game, isn't it, Uncle
Joe?"
We'll, | should say SOL said Jncio
Joe. in great establishment, as he look
ed into the kitchen and saw Willio's
game.
Il was bound to save your money, "
said the boy. Here it IS. wouldn't
cave il in the box after this if | were
you.
Uncle Joe took the advice, and the
next day, when he carried the tramp to
town and turned him over to the au-
thOrities, he sent the fifty dollars to the
man he was owing, thankful that he
had it to send. Il wouldn't have had
it if it hadn't been for your pluck, he
said to his nephew. Il tell you what
il is, Willie, you did something a good
many men wouldn' have dared do.
And Uncle Joe was right.