Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-09-06

formed two extraordinary actions. They
laughed very heartily but silently, and
shook hands This ceremony over they
moved toward the bed. One Of the In
truders grasped the sleeper roughly by
the wrists while the latter calmly
flashed the lanterns glare over his face.
Dick had been dreaming Of robbers,
and woke to find his dream realized.
He prepared for q struggle, but the
sight Of the cleaning barrel OF re-
volver Of forty-four caliber held to his
nose quieted him at once.
Blind his wrists, Beggs," growled one
Of the ruffians, and Dicks wrists were
soon securely tied.
The speaker drew . match from his
pocket and touched up the gas.
Dick then raised his head and beheld
two men Of good build standing beside
the bed. Both wore short masks which
descended TO the mouth. Both also
wore heavy mustaches. Each carried o
revolver, and one bore sack, presuma-
bly, in which the plumber was to be de-
posted.
''Pile out, youngster," commanded he
Of the bag. "Yer don't think We called
to see you particler, do yeH?"
Dick silently obeyed, and was soon in
his clothes
"Now take us down to the kitchen
and shake up something for US to eat"
Dick thought it best to fall in with
their commands. and watching closely
for means Of escape, led the way to
the kitchen. They ate ravenously, ey-
ing Dick the while.
Come" said one, give US dance"
Did Dick. refuse? Oh! no! He cut as
good shuttle as he could. After this
by-play bunker rose, stretched himself
and looked at the clock, the hands OF
which indicated that it was quarter of
one o'clock.
"Ah! the time goes! And now to
work. Now for the silver! Unless"
he added, hopefully, and glancing at
Beggs, you've got something in the
house to moisten our whistles? No rum
or gin?"
At this Beggs gave silent chirrup,
and then started in on something be-
tween cough and choke.
Dick had bcen regarding for some
time with growing suspicion the eccen-
trio actions of Beggs, and with this last
caper o sudden light seemed to dawn
upon him. He choked down the words
that came to his lips, however, and re-
,,raccad ol oiDnc 0f roon~niti0n
Great Scott" he calculated, internal
~. "What an idiot was not to have
guessed it before. But just see II
don't have my revenge"
NO" he said aloud. There's moth.
ing of the kind in the house, but If you
don't object to a" lighter drink, there is
some new cider in the cellar"
''Object" said Beggs, looking at Dun
ker with q grin. "Well, guess not.
We would have preferred something q
little stronger, but cider will have to
answer" The cellar door was open.
Beggs ran down three or four steps,
but bunker had forgotten to take hisre-
volver, and now turned back for 1t. But
be reckoned without his host, for with
q leap Dick was on him, and he shot
through the door and fell on his COM
panion with thud. Both alternately
tumbled and rolled to the last step.
Dick listened anxiously for a minute.
Had he hurt them? No, for there was
sound Of ascending feet on the stair
way. He hurriedly slammed the door,
locked and bolted it. He then put his
ear to the crack and heard muttered
consultation between the two.
Finally there was tap on the door.
"What Is it?" he asked, striving to
contain himself.
1.-The games up, Dick. Open and let
US out. 1t is /, Tom, and your Cousin
jack" said the voice of bunker.
$50 Jack is there, thought Dick, but
he only said, dwelling exasperatingly
on the false name of his chum: ''What's
that you say, bunker? Speak louder"
THE SECOND SURPRISE.
Despite the energetic expostulations
of his Cousin Jack and his chum, Tom,
Dick could not be prevailed upon TO
utter another syllable. He stole around |
to the cellar door and secured it from |
the outside. The windows to the coal |
bins were similarly secured and then
Dick tiptoed back into the house. He
paused minute to listen at the cellar
door and then went upstairs for book
to read. He intended to keep the boys
in suspense for half an hour or so and
4.
would about equalize the joke.
He left the pistol on the table and
slowly assembled the stairs. As he
reached the top he was treated to Sec
ond surprise. Hardly was his foot on
the landing than he was grasped rudely
by the throat and ordered to throw up
his hands. The sudden attack threw
him into such o mental condition that
his new captor was obliged to tighten