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

and apple roast down there. There's
| lots of fellows coming"
20, do wish could CO." said Billy,
with a sigh.
well, come on then. I" roared Herman
Smith. only make haste"
But I can't" said Billy Gather
and mother went to the camp-meeting
to-day and they left me to keep house I"
"Did hey s'pose the bears was going
to carry off the house?" contemptuously
inquired Herman.
"No," said Billy. "But old Mrs
Tricks house was broken into night be-
fore last when she was gone to tea at
Elder Jones'. And father says it amt
safe to leave the place alone"
''Much good you would be If the
thieves were to come" sneered Peter
Wise
'Well. guess I can handle fathers
old musket as we'll as another man."
said Billy, with some pride.
''But it amt that, father says. The
burglars only try locked-up houses and
those where the folks are all away"
"Well," shifted Peter, ''if burglar
climbs this steep road he must be hard
mp for something to steal, that's all I
have to say about it"
''Do come. Bill, urged Jaycox. "We're
going to have regular good timer
Billy looked wistfully at the other
boys. ''Oh, only wish could" said
he.
'Your folks will never know" said
Jaycox, coaxingly.
''No, don't suppose they WILL" as
scented Billy. "But-'
''Oh, come now" hoarsely shouted
Herman Smith; 1--WE can't stand here
waiting all day. If Maverick is coming
| let him come. If he amt let him say
SO. Are You ready, fellows? Now,
then, wo-three-march!'
And away went the little band of
boys at double quick!
Billy looked longingly after them.
Boys are naturally Of a gregarious ma
ture, and he had been alone all the
afternoon.
81 might just as well 90 as not" said
he, aloud, to the old clock ticking away
behind the door. 'Its just exactly as
Peter Wise says-there amt a burglar
going that would take the trouble to
climb the mountain road. It's all non
sense for me to stay herev'
Billy Maverick, as you can easily see,
children, had never studied the story of
Casa biancar If he had been "on the
burning deck" it isn't at all probable
that he would have remained long
enough for anybody to make story
about. And yet Billy was a very good
sort of little fellow after.all.
"And / won't STAY" said Bill. so
there! I'll fix up fellow to keep house
for me, and III run across the woods
and over the broken bridge and be at
Pixley's woods just as quick as the
other boys get there.
| So Billy. whose resources were truly
wonderful. drew the old rocking-chair
up by the fire and put bolster into it
which he first dressed up in an old coat
of his fathers and a battered hat
With its back well toward the window,
1t really did look like an old man warm
| ing his hands at the fire.
There, old Stuffy." said Billy. as he
gave it final pat on one side and a
shake on the other. Now mind you
take good care of the house
And scrambling out of the shed win
dow so as not to unfasted any OF the
/ bolts and bars. he slid down the roof
dropped into thicket of lackberry
bushes at the end. and only pausing to
rub himself little. started off at a run
| down the mountain side.
For" he argued within himself. all
| that father and mother wanted me to
stay in the house for was to make peo-
pie suppose that it wasn't left entirely
alone-and why can't old Stuffy do that
| just as we'll as me?''
t He made such good speed by swing
( ing himself recklessly across the frame
work of the broken bridge that he got
! to Pixlev's Woods nearly as soon as the
| other bows, who went bv the regular
pathway 4 bright blaze OF dry wood
| and leaves had been kindled under the
| shelter of huge rock. the corn. apples
| and sweet potatoes were put down to
roast. and the BOYS beguiled the time
by dancing break-downs. singing comic
/
The first lot of smoking corn had Just
been lifted out OF the ashes when little
Larry Pike came plunging down the
| ravine
"Halloo, fellows said he. hreathless
| with the haste he had made, have you
| heard the news?'
'.News. WHAT news?" said Herru an
Smith. while all the boys STOPPED short
in their occupations and stared hard at
little Larry.
Thieves" said he. painting fo'
breath III Mavericks house? And
jerks has gone for the eonsta bles. and
VIII Maxwell has trotted off on his "a
theirs horse to tell Mavericks folks al
camp meeting"
Isis anything stolen?" said Billy,
I thin kin IF silver .esa