The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-19

breakfast.
This startling information caught the
attention of all, and at once there was
discussion as to who or whatthe THIEF was.
~ heard Sam Jackson say that the folks
at the Falls had been troubled by thieves"
said Mrs. Wilson, "but / didn't think
they would come away up here"
"It couldn't have been thieves or they
would have taken more than two," said
Bob's father preparing to light his pipe.
After little more talk each one went to
his own work and the subject was
dropped. But Bob himself did not for
get it. He thought a great OF his
6ne flock of poultry and well
he might, for in his little room
in the attic there hung two blue ribbons,
siRnifying that his poultry had won two
first premiums at the local cattle show.
The hens were his own, given to him by
his father after hard summers work In
the fields. He had built coop
and enclosed good sized yard
for them in the meadow, short distance
from the house. His moments OF Leisure,
sna ;.se. sarn l's be ANY had isg SSy he on spent
with his hens. For the past six
weeks be had been missing one or two at
time and the thief left no clew. This grad.
ual dwindling away OF his hard-earned
property made Bob sick at heart and at
the news of further depredations, In
spite of his fifteen years he was almost
ready to cry. But he winked back his
tears and manfully resolved that he would
find out the cause of his misfortune.
That evening Bob made known his plan
to his father. When the conversation
between the members of the family fiag-
ged and they began to yawn, Bobby said
to his father, "Pop, don't want to lose
any more hens, let me take the gun and
watch in the COOP"
This speech surprised his father TO such
an extent that he said nothing for some
time. The thought Of a young boy strug-
Cling alone with man or beast, savage or
bold enough to commit robbery was by
no means pleasant. His mother objected
most decidedly. At length, after much
deliberation, his father consented and his
mother yielded also.
Bob took the old muzzle-loader which
had been in the family longer than he
could remember, and placing
fof his lonely and dangerous task.
The old gun had habit OF kicking and
after receiving mnnya bruise Bob made
mp his mind that If ever he had money
enough he would buy a gun which
wouldn't knock him over every time 1t
was fired. Bob entered the coop and took
up his position in one corner. The hens
fashion, but after much cackling and
stretching of necks things resumed their
customary quiet. After sitting there
alone with his strange, quiet companions,
Bob began TO feel sleepy and wish
himself in his own little bed under
to keep himself awake he began to think
Of the stories which his grandfather had
told In regard to himself and the gun,
mostly in regard to himself.
His grandfather had been a famous
hunter in his day, according to his own
accounts, and many Were the stories told
by that worthy ia which bars catermounts
Bob had often thought Of
these stories and wondered If it would
fall to his lot to slay one OF those fierce
inhabitants OF the forest. Before he
knew it Bob's eyes began to close, his
head nodded and he felt pretty sleepy.
Unable to stand it any longer he fell
asleep. How long he slept he does not
know, but the sky was getting red in the
East when be was awakened by loud
cnckling and saw 1.-the, silver-colored
body disappear through a hole in the side
OF the coop, bearing in its mouth plump
hen.
To have his hens stolen was bad enough,
but to have them taken while he was
watching for the thief was more than
he could stand. The very thought of
&c made him angry and ashamed
by turns, and he resolved not to speak of
It ut home. But his bedraggled appearance
aad sheepish looks betrayed him, and
little by little the story came out. When
jun, the farm hand, learned the story
Bob's cup Of misery was full and life was
made burden TO him. But with true
Yanke pluck he resolved to restablish his
prowcss, and the very next night be stood
watch.
From the description he had given it
was agreed that the marauder was
silver-gray fox. Foxes were plentiful
enough but o silver gray was some
thing seldom seen, and the price OF his
pelt, should he be captured, would more
than pay for the bother aud trouble he
caused. This fact spurred Bob to further
efforts and he determined TO continue his
vigilance. For three weary nights he
continued his lonely task, but without
result.
On the fourth night, however, Bob met
with an adventure which he shall remem-
Der to his dying day. rs near as he could
judge it was past midnight when he heard
some animal trotting around the
coop, stopping now and then
TO sniff the air. Bob gripped
his gun and kept his eyes fixed on
had disappeared. His visitor was evil
IDENTIFY suspicious for pretty soon the
noise ceased and everything was quiet.
But after while the animal
returned and went through the same per-
formance. The third time however it
was evidently satisfied for be-
fore he knew 1t Bob was looking at
pair OF shining eyeballs not twelve
lect from him. Why he did not make an
attempt TO shoot the fox, as it proved TO
be, before il entered the coop, Bob could
never tell AT any rate the
animal, seemingly unconscious OF
danger, crawied into the coop and
aud stood ready to pounce upon n fine
looking hen. Bob put the gun TO his
shoulder, squinted along the barrel and
pulled the trigger. There was flash
deafcning report, and Bob
was leaning against the side OF
he coop. The old gun had
> 'cded most vigorously and had thrown
bob against the wall. In his excitement
Bobs arm Lad trembled the least bit, but
enough 10 spoil bis usually sure aim.
Therefore, instead OF killing the animal
as he would have done under ordinary
crcumstnnces, only part OF the charge
entered It's body.
Then thcro took place In the soft moon
light struggle, compared with which
his adventure with the runaway colt or his