The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-07-01

man events his wickedness was tinctured
with a marvellous and interesting ingenu-
ity. Judge, then, what rare and unex-
pected traits he developed on the two days
preceding the Fourth with the spirit of
'76 in the air. The high jinks he invented
were appalling, and when he finished his
sublime career on the afternoon of the Sd
by driving Finnegan's pig and Smithson's
calf tandem through the streets his gen
tie, long suffering sister fell upon him,
shook him, put him to bed and told him
that she should ask Mr. Middleton as
personal favor to herself not to give him
any ammunition on the morrow.
This crisis was so totally unexpected
that "Bub" forgot to roar. He sank back
upon the pillows and turned pale through
his freckles. After he had recovered from
the shock a bit he fell in a brown study.
The result was smile, which would have
done credit to first class fiend. "Bub"
took his bread and milk and his sisters
lecture SO gently that her heart relented,
and when she retired for the night she had
decided she would not ask that personal
favor
Dub" did not sleep. He had taken a
nap in the early evening and was now quite
wide awake and ready for business He
waited until Bessie's soft breathing assured
him that she slept: then he arose and
quickly dressed himself, cautiously unfas-
tened the front door and set out. He crept
along in the shadows as he crossed the
street to MiddletOn's office. For Dub"
was out with the nefarious intent of bur
glarizing. He knew of a window on the
side of the office the catch of which was
broken and which could be easily showed
up He had heard Bessie say that Middle
ton had been busy all the evening opening
the packages of fireworks.
Up went the window at his first touch,
and in climbed the young scapegrace.
The moonlight streaming in showed him
the prize, and he fell greedily to work.
His pockets were soon crammed and he
was about to retreat, when he heard a
sound that made every tow hair on his
head stand upright-a noise at the window
he had left open. The boy slipped behind
pile of packing boxes, and peering out
saw man climb in the window. 1t was
Jim Dowlingl
"Bub" retained his presence of mind suf-
ficiently not to yell.
Bowling prowled noiselessly about, try
ing desks and safe and bestowing whis-
pered curses upon the huge pile of fire
WOrkS III Tile rcinOUo COfleT. ne II a
thief, too" thought "Bub," with sudden
twinge of conscience, and quietly and with
trembling fingers restored his ill gotten
gains to box beside him.
Suddenly there was light, quick step
outside, and the click of a key in the office
door. Bowling rushed past the trembling
lad into the rear room,- where the huge
vault was situated.
Tho ont Si6a door opanpd and MiddIafOn
entered. He struck a match, lighted the
gas, took off his hat and ran his fingers
through his thick brown hair
81 couldn't go to bed," he said aloud,
"for knew l shouldn't sleep. What am
1 going to do? It's puzzle. say over
and over, the honor of the Middletons.'
but it's empty of sound and doesn't console
me. Well, believe T'll look over those
books tonight. | must do something to
tire myself out and make me Sleep"
He lighted a cigar and started toward
the door which led to the vault Suddenly
he stopped.
what in heavens name am | about?
Going to the vault with lighted cigar
Pm afraid did a careless thing in telling
them to store that giant powder in the
vault. Oh, well, it don't matter; the mag
azine will be repaired in few days, and
then, if l haven't blown myself up in the
meantime through my carelessness, | will
have it removed at once"
Speaking thus, Middleton passed by the
boy hidden there who put out trembling
hand to warn him, but he didn't see the
weak assistance.
'Bub' heard the combination click and
presently Middleton came back with the
books in his arms. He laid them on the
desk, opened them and set to work.
'Bub'' was wondering how he was going
to get out of the scrape, when there sud
denly stole by him with the stealthy tread
of wolf man with face so terrible, so
awful in it's hatred that the boy with diff
Guilty repressed a scream. There was a
red glare before "Bub's" frightened eyes
through which he saw Bowling deal Mid
dleton powerful blow on the back of the
head with something bright and shining.
Middleton dropped like a log to the floor
Bowling snarled over him.
"My turn now you high and mighty
dog. Eve got We now and I'll pay my debt
right here, and you shall have your COM
pound interest. won't leave trace Of
ye. I'll blow you and your Office to hell
Oh, I'll give them some Fourth of July
fireworks they'll never forget"
"Bub' could never tell how he lived
through the next few minutes. With eyes
fairly starting from his head he watched
Bowling enter the vault and knock the
head out of a barrel of pow der and insert
tba and of n fuoa