Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-03-13


mortgage had expired, and he must have
principal and interest or he would fore
close.
I knew all this, but what could do?
I could do nothing. I also knew, or
thought knew, that all the family were
going to church except Lyddy, who was
to stay at home and cook the dinner, SO
as to have it ready on the return with
several guests. I did not know who, but
I was invited by Aunt Heppie and meant
to go, though I knew that Uncle Theron
looked distrustfully at me. But 1 had
another move on the board. 1t was my
intention, as soon as the party were off
to church to join Lyddy in the kitchen
and help cook the dinner by watching
the pot. 1t may be surmised therefore,
that I did not feel like thanksgiving when,
from distance, saw the family depart
without its head, and after waiting half
an hour for him to come out, went
home and watched Uncle Theron's house
from our piazza for another hour.
Then knew that church was over,
for saw Uncle Theron's wagon coming
down the road. It had two in beside the
family-one recognized as the clergy
man of the village church, and the other
as Mr. Banks, Uncle Theron's cousin.
The first 1 had been told by Aunt Hep
pie, when she invited me, was to be a
guest, but the last she had said nothing
about, and I must confess I was as
! founded to see him coming But had
not much time to wonder, for there came
distraction in the shape of scream
from the direction of Uncle Theron's
house, that fairly rent the air.
I only saw that the inmates of the
wagon had heard it as well, and Mr..
Banks, who was driving, laid the lash on
the horses, when sprang for the road.
1t was desperate race of horse against
man for 200 yards, but horse beat, under
skillfnl driving, by about fifty yards. I
saw before I was half way that the scream
did not come from the house, but from
an adjoining field, where an especially
vicious bull, which Uncle Theron had
frequently been advised to get rid OF, had
him down and was goring him dread
luuts WILLIE 6ClCC1116 WC1O oSOA1AAAS.
Mr.. Banks was ahead of me and was
striking the bull across the nose with the
handle of his heavy driving whip, when
I rushed in and caught the animal by
the horns. Then Mr.. Banks diverted his
attention to the beasts tail, and not for
getting when he was country boy,
twisted it with the vigor of twenty-five
years agone. It twas desperate struggle
but man conquered, and the bull went
down with below that was echoed back
from the wagon with frst-class scream
from all hands.
By this time we were joined by the
clergyman, Aunt Heppie taking care Of
the horses, and three stout men on Mr.
Bulls head made him consider that some.
thing had happened, and he laid still
Uncle Theron rolled out of the way, and
was told as he got on his feet, to fee
When he reached the road, the trio Of
bull holders agreed to retreat on a given
signal. Mr.. Bangs counted zone, two
three" and we let go of the would-be
murderer and ran. He did not follow, in
fact he did not rise, and as long as he
was in sight, as we drove away, he laid
still, exhausted by the struggle, as We
were.
Uncle Theron was not much hurt
though it had been narrow escape
Soap, water, and a whisk broom nearly
restored us, and Uncle Theron grasped
his cousins hand and said:
cousin The, you saved my life. You
know I'm grateful" and Mr.. Banks said
laughing:
ats all right, Cousin The. We're
friends, and it's confounded lucky hap
pened along" Then Uncle Theron gave
me shake and said:
"Bob,'' that's my name, 'you put in
good help, but Cousin The's horsewhip
staggered the beast Talk to Lvddy."
knew what ''talk to Lyddy'' meant,
and gave Uncle Theron hug. Present
ly, after they had talked the matter over
little more, and Aunt Hepzibah had
made Uncle Theron admit that there was
something to give thanks for, Mr.. Banks
said:
''By the by, Cousin The, got a letter
and package at Littlefeld. The post
master gave them to me because he knew
that I had just come from Denver, where
they were postmarked. Iopenea the let
ter but don't know the names mentioned,
and SO I didn't open the package. Here
they are"
Uncle Theron took the letter and
flushed rosy red as his eyes fell on it.
He read: ''Sir: This will inform you
that Thos. Pomeroy, whose real name
proves to have been Ezra King, died in
this city on the third day of October last,
leaving will, copy of which accom-
panies this, and the letters and docu-
ments inclosed with it. They will tell
their own story, and the entire matter
can be settled at once by correspondence,
and without litigation or expense.
Haines & Wells, attorneys-at-law." For
few minutes the dinner was forgotten,
the package was torn eagerly open and
within it was the copy of a will by Ezra
King, Uncle Theron's former swindling
partner in his New York speculateons,
who had been supposed dead for SO many
years, bequeathing all his property, of
every kind whatsoever, to Theron Banks,
farmer. of Littlefeld Center, State of
New York. Among the documents were
full description Of their transactions of
ten years before, some letters of Uncle
Theron's, a history of Kings life since he
ran away from New York, and a. list of
his property, which according to Mr..
Banks, counted up good for $15O.OOO in