The Van Buren press., 1893-05-20
CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN TRAP.
How the Doctor Turned the Tables on n
Plotting Trio.


How the Doctor Turned the Tables on a
Plotting Trio.
ut will work like charm, and no
one be any the wiser" said Stephen
RAIDER, after unfolding his plan to get
ahead OF Martin Drake, one of his
school-mates. His listeners were Clyde
Barnes and Alec Lyman. and as usual
they fell in with Stephens views.
There was to be spelling contest
that night and Stephen was almost
sure that he would win the prize of
fered If he could only succeed in keeping
Martin away. The prize was to be a
five-dollar gold piece, and though
many boys would not have
troubled themselves about such
a small sum, to the PASSPORT
boys, who were not aceus-
toned to handling much money, five
dollars seemed like very large
amount, and then there was the honor
of winning it, which was fully as great
an inducemcnt as the value of the prize
itself.
The plotting trio stood at the corner
of the valley leading to DIR. Hoods sta
bic, while they completed their cow
ardly arrangements, unaware that the
doctors Office window was open, thus
letting him into the secret, too. The
doctor was not a meddlesome man by
any MEANS but as his stable had been
designated as the place for carrying
out their joke, he had no conscientious
scruples about taking hand in the
fun, and he laughed good-naturedly to
himself as he followed them to the sta
BILE, ostensibly to harness old Dobbin
for long drive into the coun-
try, really to carry out his part OF the
programme, part for which the young
rascals had not arranged. Stephen had
taken the other boys there to give them
view of the doctors granary, which
was to be utilized that night as prison
for Martin Drake.
When they heard the doctor enter the
stable they ran into the granary to
avoid discovery, and there they re-
maned while the old man harnessed
his horse and put the hay into the man
ger To be ready when he should return
late at night. Aftera little they heard
him coming into the granary. and they
crouched down in one of the bins, GER
tain that their hiding-place was about
to be revealed; but he merely stepped
inside and took a measure of oats out
of the first bin for his horse. When he
went out he pushed the heavy door to
with bang. and then hurried away to
hitch up and drive off, fully assured
in his own mind that the plotting trio
would not do much mischief until after
he came back. The boys felt much re-
lieved when the granary door closed
after his little why frame but they did
not venture out of their close quarters
until after they heard him drive away.
Then they shook themselves and
laughed until their sides were sore over
the old doctors stupidity, but when
they reached the door and found it
locked and themselves prisoners, their
mirth gave place to anxiety. They un-
1erstood at once that the door was
fastened by spring lock. but that the
doctor had any design in pushing it
shut SO forcibly they did not for mo-
nent imagine. All their pushing and
prying were in vain, for the stout oaken
door was made to resist more strength
than they could bring to bear against
IT, When they found that they could
not affect their own release, they began
To hollo for assistance, but the stable
was back from the street quite dis
tapce. and their voices. confined as they
were within the thick walls of the
pransry. failed to reach the ears OF
living mortal. They heard the town
clock strike four then five, then six,
then seven. and seven was the hour for
the contest to begin. They wondered
that their friends did not miss them and
hegin a search for them, but neither
,heir anxiety nor their hunger brought
them the help needed, and as the hours
wore away and the town clock kept up
It's monotonous striking until elght,
nine and ten were added to the seven,
they began to think that their prison
door would not be opened Till morning.
Rut a few minutes after ten they heard
the welcome sound of carriage wheels
coming up the alley, and few minutes
,ater the doctors voice was heard
talking to all Dobbin within few feet
If them. and theyat once began to call
for aid. But the old man paid no at
tention to their cries until he had mace
his horse comfortable for the nigh.'
and then with broad smile on ms
pheasant face, he took his lantern ana
r,enped to the door of the strange
prison. . 1o,d
voice. ,,r
"Three of MS, Clyde Barnes, Alec Ly-
man and myself" answered Stephen
irving to speak bravely.
"And who is MYSELF demanded 'he
doctor, sternly. ma
"Stephen RAIDER, sir You know me-
am sure" pleaded Stephen.
And how did you come to De smut up
tbere?" asked the doctor, with an 1l e.
fort fort to suppress the mirth he .i'el fel., u
"What business have you IN may gran
ary?" .,. we came in
| IA ,,ou shut us Ia ny