The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-07-01

BOWLING DEALT MIDDLETON POWERFUL
BLOW.
not tolerate it, 1 shall do what | think
best for the comfort and happiness of my
people. Their lives are hard enough, God
knows"
ooh, as you like" said Violet, Struggling
her shoulders, "only don't fancy that |
shall ever take any interest in your absurd
Ouixotism," and trailing her laces after
her she swept into the house.
For the next two days an atmosphere OF
expectancy hung over and around Tho
Spitfire mines. The women gossiped from
their doors, the miners collected in groups
after hours and discussed the treat in
store, while the children shriekcd and ran
hither and yon in very wantonness OF
ecstasy. When big boxes were unloaded
and stored away in the rear of Middleton's
office, and it was whispered that those
boxes contained firecrackers, pinwheels,
torpedoes and Roman Candles it was with
difficulty that the small boy kept from
bursting with Joy. Middleton caused the
news to be circulated that on the morning
Of the Fourth all the children We're to pre-.
sent themselves at his Office, each to re.
ceive his or her share of the spoils.
Probably no one was more electrified by
this statement than Club" Clayton. One
OF the most lovable boys in the world, he
yet was the embodiment of mischief The
ueviltry he could not concOct was poor i'll
deed. Even in the course of ordinary hu-
| man events his wickedness was tinctured
with marvellous and interesting ingenu-
Ey 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 jin6s 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 n
personal favor to herself not to give him
any ammunition on the morrow.
This crisis was so totally unexpected
that Dub" 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 brown study.
The result was a smile, which would have
/ done credit to first class fiend. Cub"
| 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.
! "Bub" did not sleep. He had taken a
| nap i'm 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 "Bub"
was out with the nefarious intent Of bur
| glarizing. He knew of 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 n
sound that made every tow hair on his
head stand upright-a noise Mt the window
he had left open. The boy slipped behind
pile of packing boxes, and peering out
saw a man climb in the window. It was
| Jim Dowlngl
"Bub" retained his presence of mind suf-
| fciently not to yell.
Bowling prowled noiselessly about, try
ing desks and safe and bestowing whis-
pered curses upon the huge pile of fire
works I'm the remote corner "He is
thief, too" thought "Bub," with sudden
twinge of conscience, and quietly and with
trembling fingers restored his i'll 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.
The outside door opened and Middleton
entered. He struck q match, lighted the
] gas, took off his hat and ran his fngerY
through his thick brown hair.