The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-08-17
>POPLARvILLE MISS, THURSDAY, AUGUST H. 1898.
,he oars and sent the boat out from the

the oars and sent the boat out from the
shore
"Where are you goingl" called one of
the men,
"Nowhere in particular" said Perry,
still rowing.
"Well, wait minute, we want to talk
to you"
81 haven't got time" called out Perry,
rowing faster than ever.
The two men exchanged few words,
WHICH the boy could not hear. Then
they jumped into another boat and
rowed after Perry, who now threw off
his coat, and rowed as hard and as fast
as he could.
He had learned to row very well at
the lake, and was we'll out on the water
before the tramps started. But they
were two to one, and he soon realized
that they were gaining on him.
They shouted to him to stop, declar-
ing they meant him no harm, but he
paid no heed, and rowed on steadily.
They were gaining, and Perry feared
that the two boats would reach the op-
posite shore at the same time. But one
of the tramps broke an oar The men
became angry, and called out.
"We're after that money, and we'll
have it, boyl It'll be the worse for you
if you don't stop!"
Perry's boat grated on the pebbly bank
about twenty feet in advance of his pur-
suers'. The boy jumped out and ran
swiftly through narrow strip of timber
to wagon road. on the opposite side of
which was field in which tall, thin,
elderly farmer was cutting grass with
scythe Perry slipped between the rails
of the fence and ran toward the farmer.
"Help me to defend myselfn' he
shouted to the astonshed man. ''There
are two tramps after me. They're after
money that isn't mine. Here they arel"
The tramps came running across the
road, jumped over the fence and ad-
vanced boldly.
"Hand over that money of ours, you
young thief, your said one, and shook
his fist at Perry, who was standing close
to the farmers side.
"Your money 2" said Perry, indig-
nantly. ''It isu't your money, and you
can't touch it"
'NWe can't, hey2 See if we don't!'
He advanced few steps.
"Hold en-, my friend said the far
mer. "Jcst stop right where you air un-
til we talk this matter over. Now, boy,
60 on and give us your side OF the case"
cit belongs to the owners of the lake
grounds. have charge of the boats over
there, and these fellows have been trying
to take it from me.
'Wel, if that amt good one!''
sneered one of the tramps. "But 1t won't
do, boy. The moneys ours, and we
don't feel called on to say any more bout
it, 'cept that we're goin' to have 1t. Stand
aside there, old gentleman.
81 reckon not " said the farmer. 1--WE
heerd both sides O. the case, an II you'll
'scuse me fer. speakin' so plain, l don't
b'ieve a word you two rascals have said
"a purity pair you air. This is clean,
straight for 'd-lookin' boy, an you amt
nary the one nor the other-noy you don't
no you DON'T Not a step nigher!"
He held up the scythe threateningly.. :,
~ wouldn't want better weepln,,
than this old scythe to defend myself
agin dozen sich fellers as you be. You
Jest come within swing O. my scythe if
you think it'll be healthy or you. Law
I'd cut ye down fer the two wuthles
weeds of the airth that you be! Here,
boy. jest slip your hand down into the
pocket of my overalls and you'll find a
knife there with a blade bout SIX
inches long. You take the knife an I'll
hang on to the scythe, an reckon we
kin hold the fort for quite spell"
They did not have to hold it long, for
the two tramps soon took their departure,
but they were not allowed the privilege
of departing in peace.
An hour later the farmer drove over to
Crofton with Perry, and notified the
authorities. The deputy sheriff there
had been looking for two such men, who
were wanted for burglary.
A posse was organized, and before
nine o'clock the two men were in the
Crofton jail. They were tried, convicted
and sent to the penitentiary.
Perry remained at the lake the rest OF
that summer, but sent the boat money to
the city every day, and was never molesfa'
again Youths Companion.