Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-15

ran" i said, impressively, those
villains have den up In the mouu-
tainr'
No sooner were the words out than,
seized by q vague terror, we took TO
our heels and ran as though legion Of
horse-thieves were in hot pursuit
We reached the kitchen quite breath
Less, with hardly pea left in our pan.
and II was some minutes before we
could communicate our intelligence.
On hearing II, Miss Elizabeth Haywood
Immediately recollected that, as sho
was drawing water at the well few
hours before, she had smelled smoke
and burnt flesh
Miss Jennie skeptically remarked
that II was probably the breakfast
cooking. But she was Indignantly
squelched and reminded that we had
breakfasted on boiled eggs and toast
Yes, indeed; that burnt flesh" Just
confirmed our surmise. We could talk
Of nothing else, and impatiently await
ed the return Of Ed, who had repaired
to the store, the Delphi Of the commun-
ity, TO consult with Mr.. Peters, the pro.
prietor-a man OF deep wisdom, whose
oracular Judgments and predictions
were needed with n Difference that
would heve honored Apollo himself
by this time every one of us had
heard the cattle lowing on the noun
tain: all had shifted the air with such
success that even skeptical Miss Jennie
acknowledged that she scented burnt
flesh" what supported the theory that
horse thieves had preference for burnt
viands am unable to state.) We had
settled IL beyond doubt that the dark
character Of last night was one of an
organized gang who were probably
camping in some cave on the mountain;
this one had been sent out 10 forage for
provisions
What pity the detecting society"
had wasted that money sending to Phil
adelphia, when the sly rascals were
hiding right under our noses until the
excitement should die down.
OF course that was DIR. Andrews
chestnut he was riding. In fact, the
only point of disagreement was the
COW, Miss Jennie obstinately insisting
that II belonged to Deacon Brown,
while the rest of us were sure IL was
the property of Farmer Jones. will
acknowledge that | felt good deal
elated at being the first one to hear the
mooing, and l faneicd Fan rather en-
We'd me the distinction. sim, will
say IA disqualification that tried not
to feel too mnch pulled up.
Al last Ed returned. he listened TO
our accounts with q complacent smile
If superiority and then deliberately
/ HNsI.. Aatfa, .tfit
few barefaced facts that he had learned
from Mr.. Peters, who had them straight
from Deaco on Brown.
II had happened that Miss Deacon
Brown had had comrany TO tea last
night, and among other unusual lux
ur.es she had made some delicious cof-
fec. The deacon had inlGlged pretty
freely In the beverage, and, unused TO
the stimulant at that hour, II was into
the night ere natures soft nurse"
closed his weary eyes. While re1tless-
ly tossing and turning, he suddenly
heard his collie start up, growing and
barking with unwonted ferocity. lie
arose and peered through the shutters
just in time to see a man on horseback
disappear behind his barn. That was
enough. Softly calling to his son, the
two stole out, armed with u horse
pistol and u shotgun, and secreted
themselves in the deep shadow of the
fence.
Presently COW issued from the gate
way, Carlo swapping at her heels, fol-
lowed by the man and horse. The dea-
con sprang forward, caught the
startled horse by the bride, and, point
ing the pistol at the man, sternly de-
handed who he was and where he was
going at that time of night MutteriDg
some uncharitable hopes concerning the
future abiding place Of the inhabitants
of the peaceful valley, the man sullen
ly told his brief tale.
The priest at W had purchased
the cow in New York and had hired
him to bring it up on the night boat
and drive IL home. And lie, guileles'
man, knowing nothing of the per
turbed state Of the countryside, ha,
attempted to take advantage OF til,
moonlight and deliver her that night
lie ended with u weary sigh, adding
that this was the tenth time he hut
been challenged since he had left the
boat, and asking how far ne had Il
travel.
The deacon, who had listened sym
pathetically, stined tn, reproviug voice
Of conscience, as out of commiseratiol
for the feelings of the hapless COW
driver he willfully computed the sever
good miles to ne, "wal, bout six an
half" Then, loosing his hold of TIN
bride, he had allowed him to prucce,
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