Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-12-12
WAS SURPRISED.

WAS SURPRISED.
''That must be the place. 1t answers
the description they gave me. If he
doesn't read me at the first opening, then
I'll feel pretty safe, despite the old gentle.
man s crusty temper"
The traveller rode up to the farmhouse,
his eyes fixed upon a man who stood in
the doorway.
GOOD evening, sir,' called out tho
young man as the other made no move
ment. II presume this Is where Mr..
Merrill lives?'
''He does on Sunday. Rest of the week
Uncle Lie runs the place. Eff you want
to sec me, you'd better light out an hitch.
Supper's jest ready, an don't wait for
no man." and SO speaking the farmer
turned his broad back and disappeared
within tho house.
Tho subdued chatter of knives and forks
met his ear, and through the long hall
there came an appetizing odor Of hot food.
His hesitation was brief A long ride
had made him hungry, and literally fol-
lowing his nose he stalked into the dining
room.
''Sit down an eat" mumbled Uncle
Lie, his mouth full. "We. was spectin
yc."
''There must be some mistake, Mr.. p
"Ef they is, hain't made it. Eff you'r re
hungry, eat; eff not sit by ontel ain't,'
growled the farmer.
The farmers wife, two sons and a
daughter were present, but only one OF
these won much attention from the trav-
eler, and before that silent meal was end
cd he caught himself acknowledging that
he had never beheld prettier, more
graceful girl than rosy checked, bright
eyed, curly headed Maria Merrill.
"Jim," said Uncle Lie, at length aris
ing "you go put up the strangers boss.
Mari, you 20 fetch the doin's In t'other
room, all you, stranger, come along o.
me-"
The young man obeyed.
In few moments Maria followed them,
bearing pipes, homemade tobacco, glasses
and a bottle of whisky.
Placing these upon the table, she quick
ly vanished
stop thar" exclaimed Uncle Lilo in
his Deep cchoing voice as the stranger
was about to speak, and pouring out
glass of whisky ho pushed it forward.
"Drink that then take q smoke. Wen
look to business a'terward."
I'm smoke with pleasure, but seldom
drink
II reckon you'd better drink, stranger,
and Uncle Life slowly arose from his
chair, "ef nx it as favor.
"That's another thing" hastily replied
the traveller, swallowing the liquor.
though 1t brought tears to his eyes,
Good enough. Now set down an
have smoke. won't have one word
ontel you've did as say" With a faint
smile the traveller obeyed the peremptory
command Of his eccentric host, and the
twain sat blowing cloud in perfect 81
lence. Quietly Mrs. Merrill and her three
children entered the room and took seats.
Then employing tho ashes from his ex-
hausted pipe Uncle Life spoke; "Now,
stranger, we kin talk business. Who air
We, an what ye want O. mo or miner"
"Im a drover looking for cattle.
heard you had some to dispose of and
came here to sec If we could make bar
gain" was the prompt reply.
"Yes, hearn you was likely to come
this way, and So as mebbe you noticed,
we was sorter on the lookout fer ye. I've
got the cattle, an I'm always ready fer
trade Of the farms suit. But fust-you
had a good supper--all you wanted to
eats'
Certainly, and am ready to-
IT don't doubt it a mite, stranger, but
Jest hol up a bit. That was good whisky
and pretty far tobacco, seein raised it,
CHI? An we We treated you like gentle
man, haint we? Jest so. WAL, that
was all fer the fellow you said you was,
an here's for the pizen critter you be. y
AS he spoke Uncle Lie Strengthened
out his arm, with huge fist at the end
of it, and the droyer lay quivering In the
opposite corner of the room, knocked
senseless, and In a minute or two more he
was bound hand and foot.
As he tried to remember what had hap
pened he heard the sharp explosion OF a
rifle followed by another and another,
mingled with wild cries and yells of pain.
and anger
This lasted several minutes, after which
came silence.
The door opened, and bright light
flashed In upon the prisoner as Uncle LILO
entered accompanied by Maria bearing a
candle.
you've woke up heyf" he said, with
q harsh la,fgh, bending over tho young
man. "Im right glad O. that, fer it'll
save me trouble. Now your legs is free
Git up and travel"
mot unless you tell me what you
mean
jest as you say" and he tossed the
Ii Oh, Ill md
through tho hall and out upon the piazza.
Now, then, Stan thar" he added, lower
ing the young man to his feet. Don't
try none of your tricks, G.. you'll fare the
wuss. "
Two men lay dead across the doorstep.
Two others, their garments torn and
blood stained, were lying upon the ground
bound and helpless, while little Tom, the
youngest son, crOuched between them,
cooked revolver in his hand.
'sYou don't pear to like the way your
speculation's turned out" laughed Uncle
Lie Never mind Thar's two on 'em
wonderful be able to keep you company in
pulling hemp soon as the neighbors git
here"
GOOD heaven! You don't think I was
in league with those mem" cried the young
man as sudden light burst upon his
head. "And that's why-Uncle Lie, I'm
VIII Cook, your nephew, son Of Aunt
Nancy's brother. Feel In my breast peck
et I've got letters for you, only l
thought would surprise you all and have
a little fun first by playing stranger"
Uncle Lie was too Immensely disgust
cd with himself to tell the story, but little
Tom quickly supplied the deficiency.
It seemed that he had been out gun
ming, and running squirrel into its hole
concealed himself In dense clump Of