Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-12-10

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our pretty wildwood home. Mr.. Cliff
ton is showing him over the place now.
Do you really feel SO bad, Billy?" for
the boy had just given vent to sharp
groan.
"Yes'm, ! feel pretty bad answer
ed Billy.
"Well. you lie still, and I'll send
Jane up with something hot for you
to drink. I'll come in and see you
again, after supper"
"Yes'm," said Billy, hiding his face
in his pillow, to stife another groan.
His kind mistress left him, hoping
that he was not going to have seri-
Gus illness again, and resolving to
send promptly for the doctor if he
was no better when she came up next
time.
1t was not until their artist guest
had taken leave that she found a
chance to return to Billy's room.
When she did so, his bed was empty;
and supposing that he had got better
and gone down to the kitchen, she
sought him there. But Billy was not
in the kitchen. He was not any
where on the place.
The most diligent search could not
find trace of his sudden disappear
ance.
"I'm afraid he has turned out ust
as l told you he would" said Richard.
Better look now and see what's miss
ing"
But there was nothing missing, and
even Richard was puzzled what to
think.
"The boy seemed 80 happy here, |
don't see why he should run away"
he said.
ooh, Dick, l feel sure he has not
run away" said Ella. Something has
happened to him."
"Well, we will wait until tomorrow
and then If he does not appear, will
send for the police and we will see if
he can be found. l was beginning to
like the little chap myself, and should
be sorry to have any harm come to
him."
But though every spot on the place
was searched, next day, even the fish
pond dragged, no Billy was discover
cd
Just at nightfall, Richard gave up
the search, and sinking into chair,
wiped the perspiration from his brow,
and said:
"Well, it's no use, | can't tell you
how this thing worries me, Ella "
"And me, too" said Ella. Poor
little fellow He must be found,
Dick %
"Ill go to the police first thing in
the morning. Wish hadn't waited
SO long. What's that p
A sudden commotion was heard in
the hall, and the next moment Billy
rushed into the room, pale, mud-splash-
ed and tired. with two stout policeman
at his heels.
II git here in time l knowed |
would |" he cried joyfully, almost sink
ing at Richards feet, II said Id get
here, if was Twin J"
"But what does it mean? Where
have you been, and why are these
men here ?" demanded Richard.
"It's that man as was here yester-
day." said Billy. "He warn't no
painter, he warn't. He's craftsman
robber, an that's what he came
here for :"
"A robberl" cried both Richard
and Ella.
Eyes, a robber, bugglar, Il sneak
thief, that's him (! Oh, mlssus, |
knowed i'm soon as / seed him in the
carriage, / did That's why | run so
he wouldn't know me. An when he
went back to town, las night, fol-
him. | went to old Biddy's, and l
hung round till | heard his plan, and
an then / run to the police station an
told them. They knowed me thar,
and knowed l didn't lie, so they sent
these here fellers down with me. He
is coming here tonight, with party
to rob the house, Dandy Joe is-that
is his name, Mr.. Clifton-he's no
painter. He's thief, but I've stop
ped his game this time. You was
good to me, an wasn't goin' to let
you be robbed, an mebbe murdered,
that wasn't
When the boy paused, scene fol-
lowed. Billy was actually embraced
and kissed by his grateful friends, and
then they began hastily to prepare to
receive their midnight visitors.
Billys words were all true. Joe
and his partner came, and were also
allowed to enter the house-to find
themselves in the hands of law, to
answer for their many crimes.
But Billy was henceforth one Of
the family, and his devotion to his
true friends was amply rewarded.
He grew up to be a noble, useful man