The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-07-27
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AS the season advanced, the loneh-
ness Of Pelry's nights came to an end,
but he would have preferred solitude
to the company that then resorted TO
the grounds. Nearly every night the
place was visited by tramps, whose
shouts and quarrels and brawls IN
creased the disagreeableness OF Perry s
situation.
The tramps would wander around
the grove, picking up and eating the
food thrown away by picnic parties,
before going to sleep in the dancing
pavilion or on the long covered piazza
in front of the cafe. Here little that
could be stolen or eaten was kept over
night by the proprietor, who took ms
stock in trade to Crofton every even
ing and returned In the. morning before
the arrival of picnic trains. =
The tramps never came around IN the
day time, and Perry tried to believe
that they were ignorant Of the fact
that he had money in his possession.
Usually they paid little attention to
him.
Perry's instructions We're that he
should send to the city every Thursday
morning his receipts for the three pre-
vious days, and bring in with him on
Saturday night the money taken during
the three closing days Of each week.
On Wednesday night Of the fifth week
of his stay his takings from three large
picnics on successive days amounted
to nearly hundred dollars.
The money made a package of con-
siderable size. Almost half was in sill
yer, and thesrest in bills. Perry had 1t
Ill -: ;r,o of 81
The third picnic party left the grove
at 5 in the afternoon and Perry was
alone on the grounds, sitting in one of
the boats counting the money. He had
made the silver into piles of five dollars
each, and the bills he was running over
in his hands. Suddenly he was startled
| by a shout. ~ + -, -. .
Good morning." replied Perry, gath
ering up the money and putting it back
into the handkerchief. - - H.
Kind O. struck it rich, amt you,
young feller?" said one of the men.
No. replied Perry, Il haven't 1t
isn't my money"
"Oh, it hain't? Whose might it be-
then?'
'It belongs to the company that
owns the grounds"
While he was speaking he picked up
the oars and sent the boat out from the
shore. ...,..-.-.
"Where are you going?'' called one of
the men. -~ 49,.
Nowhere in PARTICULAR said Perry,
still rowing. %
well, wait a 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 fast
as he could. IT, .'
He had learned to row very well al
the lake. and was well out on the
water before the tramps started. But
they were two to one, and he soon re
allied that they were gaining on him.
They shouted to him to stop, declar
ing that they meant him no harm; but
he paid no heed, and rowed on stead
lily. They were gaining, and Perry
. feared that the two boats would reach
the opposite 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 wei
have it, boy! It'll be the worse for yol
if you don't stop!'
Perry's boat grated on the pebbl,
bank about twenty feet in advance O
his pursuers'. The boy jumped out aI<
ran swiftly through narrow strip O.
timber to wagon road, on the opposite
|; side Of which was field in which
.. tall, thin, elderly" farmer was cuttin;
grass with a scythe. Perry slipped be
tween the rails of the fence and ral
toward the farmer.
Help me to defend myselfr' h
shouted to the astonished man. ''Ther
are two tramps after me. They're afte
L the money that isn't mine. Here the,
!! are" .-.
The tramps came running across tn
!. road, jumped the fence and advance
e boldly. =
L Hand over that money Of ours. 70
: young thief, your said one, and shoo
his fist at Perry, who was standin
l close to the farmers side.
"Your money!" said Perry, indie
: nantly. ut isn't your money, and yo
:, can't touch it!' 49,.
f 1--WE can't, hey? See if we don'tr'
o He advanced a few steps.
T. Hold on, my friend" said the farm
n err. jest stop right where you al
+ until we talk this matter over. Nov
t boy, you go on and give us your side &
the case" ~ =
o 'It belongs to the owners of the lax
~ grounds. l have charge of the boat
4 over there and these fellows have bee
- trying to take it from me-"
! 'Well, if that amt good one!
:, sneered one of the tramps. But
y won't do, boy. The moneys ours, an
II we don't feel called on to say any NOR
=, bout it, 'cept that were goin' to hay
IL it. Stand aside there, old gentleman
n Il reckon not" said the farme
y give heerd both sides O. the case, AZ
q If you'll 'scuse me fer speakin' so plat
I don't believe a word you two rasca
x have saba purity pair you air. Th
S. is a clean straight for-d-lookin boy, Al
'r you amt nary the one nor the other
g no you don't! Not step nigher!','
I'd He held up the scythe threateningl
1T II wouldn't want better weepi1
n than this old scythe to defend myse
IL agin a dozen SIGH feIlerS as Won h