Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-12-09

that no one can get out, and now they're
waiting for help"
Thunder! what fools they must be!'
said Johnny Jaycox. "Why don't they
go in and knock daylight into the
scampsP l wouldn't wait if l were
there"
But, " said Larry, wisely, show are
they to know how many robbers there
may be, or how well armed they are?"
"Oh,' said Johnny, who had not
thought of this and all the boys drew
long breaths and looked at each other
with the intensest interest. Truly"
thought they, "this is almost as good
as a 'to-be-continued story in weekly
paper"
But Billy Maverick broke away from
the rest and ran as fast as BE could to-
ward the solitary farmhouse w the
mountain plateau. Whatever care OF
this dreadful state of things, he should
always feel that it was his fault.
Lyon Jones, neighbor, was leaning
against the farm-yard gate, hidden by
d Va CcddI buoilCh On Dhl1 SdhO
running up. He caught at the lad'sarm
to stay his steps.
Don't go any further, Bill" said he
in a whisper. Don't give the alarm
until we're ready to tackle the fellows"
where are they?" said Billy, hoarse-
ly. what have they taken? How
many are there?"
1--WE don't know yet" said Jones.
"Pike saw one man through the kitch-
en- window. He was warming himself
at the fire, very much at home in your
fathers old roclsing-chair. suppose
the rest are scattered through the
house!'
"One mani" said Billy, "at the kitchen
| ire!'
YES" said Jones, with q snuff-col-
ored overcoat on"
| Billy stood minute, staring at Lyon
Jones-then he burst out laughing.
'It's old Stnffy!' said he. And he
broke away from Jones and ran up the
path as fast as he could go, calling:
Come on! come on! There are nc
burglars at allr'
The neighbors, issuing from their va
rious hiding places, followed him, and
gathered around the door just in time
to see Master Billy scramble up the
shed-roof, bounce into the little win
dow and disappear
Presently he once more appeared a.
the door of the kitchen, waving boil
his hands above his head.
'Come int he called out, again OK
ploding with laughter. "Come in ant
see the burglar. He won't hurt you
I'll go bail Why. he's nothing OF
earth but a bolster, dressed up in faith
er's old clothes! y
And then as the four sturdy mel
came somewhat sheepishly in, HI
showed them the outlandish imitation
of humanity, which he himself had de
vised.
BY the time his father and mother re
turned from camp meeting everyon
was in fit of hearty laughter, to thinl
that they could possibly have mistaken
"old Stuffy" for one of gang of bur
glars
Mr.. and Mrs. Maverick smiled, too. I
would have been difficult to help IL
But when everybody had gone home
and they were all alone, Mr.. Mavericl
turned to his son.
at is all an excellent joke" he con
coded, "and | am heartily glad tina
your old Stuffy' is the only burglar W
have had about the premises. But
Billy, would almost rather have TIL
old silver stolen than know that m,
boy can not be trusted to keep hi
word"
Billy hung down his yellow, curl
head.
81 am sorry, father" said he. '1'l
never desert my post again"
And the little incident furnished a
the neighborhood with gossip an
amusement for at least week.-N. !
and Paris Bazaar.