The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-11-12


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
scamps? l wouldn't wait if 1 were
there"
But" said Larry, y,.sely, 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 'to-be-continued' story in weekly
paper"
But Billy Maverick broke away from
the rest and ran as fast as he could to-
ward the solitary farmhouse on the
mountain plateau. Whatever came 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
a cluster of cedar bushes. as Billy came
running up He caught at the lads arm
to stay his steps.
"Don't go any further. Bill" said he,
in whisper. Don't give the alarm
until we're ready to tackle the fellows"
Where are they?" said Billy, hoarse-
~. What have they taken? How
many are there?'
''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 rocking-chair. I suppose
the rest are scattered through the
housed"
Zone man" said Billy, Eat the kitchen
fret
"Yes," said Jones, with snuff-col-
ored overcoat on"
Billy stood a minute. staring at Lyon
Jones-then he burst out laughing.
Its old Stuffy!' 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 no
burglars at all.'
The neighbors. issuing from their va
L
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 at
the door of the kitchen, waving both
his hands above his head.
Come in" he called out. again ex-
ploding with laughter. Come in and
see the burglar. He won't hurt you,
I'll 60 bail Why. he's nothing on
earth but bolster, dressed up in faith
er's old clothes.''
And then as the four sturdy men
came somewhat sheepishly in, he
showed them the outlandish imitation
of humanity, which he himself had de-
vised.
Bv the time his father and mother re-
turned from camp meeting everyone
was in fit of hearty laughter, to think
that they could possibly have mistaken
'sold Stuffy" for one of a gang of bur-
glars.
Mr.. and Mrs Maverick smiled. too It
would have been difficult to help 1t.
but When everybody ndu soio h'"io'
and they were all alone, Mr.. Maverick
turned TO his son.
at is all an excellent joke" he cos
coded, land l am heartily glad that
your old Stuffy' is the only burglar we
have had about the premises But,
Billy. l would almost rather have the
| old silver stolen than know that nv
| boy can not be trusted to keep his
word"
Billy hung down his yellow, curly
/ head.
Il am sorry. father" said he ''Tl
| never desert my post again
! And the little incident furnished al
| the neighborhood with gossip and
/ amusement for at least weekly. \.
/ and Paris Bazaar.