Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-06-16
A CHaNGE OF PURPOSE.
By THOMAS =. MoNrFoRT.

.
dim trail that threaded level stretch
Of wild Western prairie. 1t was
night, but the moon shone round
and full from clear sky, giving to
the plain, with its tall, breeze-swept
grass. the appearance OF calm sum-
mer sea.
jim" spoke one of the men,
breaking II long silence. ARE you
sure it's all right about that
money!
"Ail right howe" the other ques-
toned.
Are you sure the man has got
IT,"
Sure rs I am that we are here,
Joe. lie sold his claim yesterday
an got the cash in hand for it.
There's no mistake this time,
sure.
"Well. that's all right. Jim. II
he's got three hundred dollars, that
means hundred and fifty for each
Of us. Pretty good pay for one nights
work, provided there amt too much
risk"
Just about as much risk as there
would be in Robin prairie.lark'
nest. Why. there's nobody but a
man and u Guild there, an the man
don't look like he had life enough to
kill flea. Cues; he's about dead
with consumption or something"
He won't be apt to give us much
trouble then" Joe replied. AN
even IL he shows fight we can soon
quiet him."
YES; but he won't show any fight
Joe. All we'll have to do will be to
ask for the money. an give the chap
to understand that we are in earnest,
an it'll be yurs. 1t Is the softest
snap I ever struck, an it's almost
like pickin' that much money out Of
the road
There was a short silence, broken
only by the gathering OF the horses
feet on the hard, dry ground as the
horsemen galloped on.
Away across the prairie, ut the
foot Of lonely mound, a dim speck
Of light came into view.
That's the place." Jim announ-
ced. That's light In the cabin
where the settler lives, and he's still
there. was little afraid he might
have gone away, though knew 1t
wasn't his intention to go before to-
morrow"
AN tomorrow he won't have
much to go away with" Joe added.
Not much" jim agreed.
They rode on in silence, and few
minutes later halted in front OF q
little misunderstanding cabin. There
L. ,a1 a.,
post near the door. They waited
moment, listening breathlessly, but
no sound reached them from the
CABIN.
Il don't know what that horse
means here" Jim finally remarked
In n low tone. Its queer that any
body would be here at this time O.
night"
1T is" Joe assented; more es.
pecally as it aim II neighbor."
How do you know 1t amt Z
neighbour" Jim asked.
Know it by the horse. There
amt u settler In this section that
owns horse like that"
That's q fact" Jim agreed.
"Thats fine animal, an, whoever
he belongs to, guess it would be q
good idea for him to change owners.
Don't it strike you so, Joey"
II reckon" Joe replied. But
the first thing to be attended to Ii
that three hundred dollars
Jim nodded his assent to this pro
posal, and the two robbers stole eau.
tiously forward to the one window o.
the cabin. There was pane broker
out, and they found that they oult
not only see all that was being done
within, but could hear all that wa!
being said.
In one corner OF the room, on ,
small bed, lay q child with thin
sharp features and great hollow eyes
On chair near by sat great, rug
ged, burly man, with black hair anC
beard, who had buckled about hi
waist a pair Of huge, villainous-look
ing pistols,
that money with him." the mar
was heard to say.
Yes, SIR" the child replied in
weak, piping voice.
wal, it would "a been an accom-
HOuutIOU 10 me u ue u iell ~ Hcrc
but since he didn't, it can't b
helped, ! reckon. All ! can do is t
wait till he comes back"
There was a momentary pause
after which the man went on:
How long you reckon your pa
III be gomez" he asked.
Not long now, ! guess, A" the chill
replied. He was just goin TO q
some medicine an come right back.
The man made no answer and
long silence followed. After a Will
the child looked timidly up into tn
rough, bearded face, and speaking i
eager though trembling tones said
please, mister you won't take u
OF pas money, will you"'
Il reckon / will" the man al
swered unfeelingly. That's ie'
what come here for, an | Gale LAT
IN not leave dollar that ! can z
my fingers on. 'Taint my way
dom business
II you take it all We cant 60 ava
from here" the child said, sadll
an the doctor says IL we don't {
pa an me will both die, cause pa
got the consumption an I've got Il
fever"
That amt nothing 70 me, II
$500, ..,Ii.1 NTH ncId ipdi ference