Nevada County picayune., 1886-09-15

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 to step down; therefore there was no dan. ger of his discovering the trap by hitting his foot against it as he might have done had it been on a level with the threshold.
 ''If l fail to catch bim, and he discovers what 1 have intended, there's no knowing what he'll do,' thought Willie. "I must calculate for possible failure. I'll get out side the kitchen-door before call him. If he doesn't get into the trap I must run for it. In the dark. ness I 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 he stepped into the kitchen-and into the trap! the jaws of which closed on his foot with vicious snap, as if they were glad to get hold of such game. The Oaths and curses which broke from the mans lips when he realized that he was caught was fearful to hear, and yet they had a pleasant sound to Will lie, for they assured him that the thief felt that he had been Outwit- ted, and that he knew he could not escape. Willie's first act was to run around to the front door, through which he entered the liv- ing room and secured his gun. With this Tn his possession he felt himself master of the situation. The tramp started for the door with the trap fast to his foot. But the weight of it was so great that he could not make much headway, and the frightful grip ot it's jaws gave him so much pain that he sank down on the threshold just as Willie came back with his gun. i "Don't try to get away" cried the brave lad. You can't, if you try ever so hard. pvc got a gun, you see, and I'll use It if you com pei me to-" He meant what he said and the tramp knew it. l If you'll take this thing off I'll give you back the mOney," he said.
 ''Pm not qnite green enough to do that" was the boys answer,
 "Then the money'll never do you or any body else any good" cried the tramP, and taking il from his pocket he began to drag himself toward the candle with the inten- tion of burning it.
 "Hold on, there!" cried Willie, "Don't do that! If you do-" and he raised his gun threteningly, while his eyes flashed fire-''if you do I'll shoot yOu."
 The tramp changed his mind at once. He saw that the boy was in earnest, and he was too sensible to do anything, under the circumstan- ces, which would lead him to put his threat into execution.
 "Throw me the money" order ed Willie. The tramp hesitated. The boy raised his gun.
 "Take it, then," said the prison CT. with a great volley of oaths. and moment later Willie had the satisfaction of putting the precious fifty dollars in his pocket.
 "How long are you going to keep me hereW asked the man sullenly.
 "Till Uncle Joe comes back" an- swered Willie, promptly. Just as he said that he heard tue gate open and some one come up the path.
 "I wonder fits another tramp?" thought Willie, in alarm. It was was Uncle Joe.
 "What's up" he cried, as he dis covered the lad on guard at the door.
 "I set the trap and had the good luck to catch something in it," said Willie, drawing great breath of relief. Queer kind of game isn't it, Uncle Joew
 "Well, I should say sol" said Uncle Joe, in great astonishment, as he looked into the kitchen and