The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-20
WAS SURPRISED.

THAT must be the place. It answers
the description they gave me. If he
dOesn'U read me at the first opening, then
III feel pretty safe. despite the old gentle
man crusty temper"
The traveller rode up to the farmhouse,
his eyes fixed upon man who stood in
Good evening, sir called out the
young man as the other made no move
ment- 4 presume this is where Mr.
Merrill Iives?''
He does on Sunday. Rest of the week
Uncle Lie runs the place. Eff you want
to see me, you'd better light outan hitch
Supper's jest ready, I don't wait for
no man, and so speaking the farmer
turned his broad back and disappeared
within the house
The subdued chatter of knives and forks
met his ear, and through the long hall
there came an Appealing odOr of hot food.
His hesitation was brief. A long ride
had made him hungry, and literally fol-
lowing his nose he staIked into the dining
room.
'.Sit down an eat, mumbled Uncle
Lie, his mouth full I'VE was spectin
ye.
There must be some mistake, Mr.. -
Eff they Is, 1 haint made it. Eff you re
hungry, eat, eff not, sit by Ontel 1 ain Z, -
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
ed he caught himself acknowledging that
he had never beheld a prettier, more
graceful girl than rosy checked, bright
eyed, curly headed Maria Merrill.
Jim, - said Uncle Lie, at length arts
ing, you go put up the strangers boss
Mari, you GO fetch the doin IS in t'other
room. an you, stranger, come along o.
mes''
The young man obeyed.
In a few moments Maria followed them,
bearing pipes, homemade tobacco, glasses
and bottle of whisky
Placing these upon the table, she quick
ly vanished.
.'Stop thar, - exclaimed Uncle Lie in
his deep, echoing voice as the stranger
was about to speak, and pouring out
glass of whisky he pushed it forward
Drink that. then take a smoke Wen
look to business a 'terward. =
I'm smoke with pleasure, but 1 seldom
drink
Il reckon you'd better drink, stranger, -
and Uncle Lie slowly arose from his
chair, 'ef I ak it as a favor. %
That another thing, - hastily replied
the traveller, swallowing the liquor,
though it brought tears to his eyes.
Good enough. Now set down
have a smoke. won't have one word
onteI you We did as / say" With faint
smile the traveller obeyed the peremptory
command Of his eccentric host, and the
twain sat blowing cloud in perfect ST.
lence. Quietly Mrs Merrill and her three
children entered the room and took seats
Then emptying the ashes from his ex-
hausted pipe Uncle Lie spoke: Now,
stranger, we kin talk business Who air
ye, an what ye want o. me or mine?'
Pm drover looking for cattle.
heard you had some to dispose Of and
came here to see if we could make a 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 T. always ready fer
trade eff the farms suit. But fust-yOu
had a good supper-au you wanted TO
eat?''
Certainly, and am ready to-
4 don't doubt 1t mite stranger, but
jest hol up bit That was good whisky
and pretty far tobacco, seein raised IL,
eh2 An we've treated you like a gentle
man, hain't WEI Jest So WAL, that
was all fer the fellow you said you was,
an here s for the pizen critter you be. n
As he spoke Uncle Lie straig htened
out his arm, with a huge fist at the end
of it, and the drOver lay quivering IN the
opposite corner Of the room, knocked
senseIess, 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
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 Lie
entered, accompanied by Maria, bearing
candle.
You've woke up, hey?'' he said, with
a harsh laugh, bending over the young
man. I'm right glad o. that, fer it'Il
save me trouble. Now your legs is free.
Not unless you tell me what you
mean
Jest as you say, - and he tossed the
prisoner upon his shoulder and passed
through the hall and out upon the piazza
Now, then, stan thar, lie added, lower
ing the young man to his feet Don t
try none of your tricks, or you II 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, croucbed between thems
cooked revolver in his hand.
You don't pear to like the way your
epeculation's turned out, laughed Uncle
Lie Never mind Thar 5 Two on EN-
ycnder'n be able to keep you company IN
pulling hemp soon as the neighbors git
here"
GOOD heaveni You don't think was
in league with those menu cried the young
man as a sudden light burst upon his
head. ''And that's why-Uncle Lie, i N
VIII Cook. your nephew, son of Aunt
Nancy's brother. Feel in my breast pock-
e.. I've got letters for you, only I
thought I would surprise you all and have
a little fun first by playing stranger
Uncle Lie was too immensely disgust
ed with himself to tell the story, but little
Tom quickly supplied the deficiency
~ cd he q1fsc n