Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-03
NICK BOlTER oUTW|TTED
THE STORY OF A RUNAWAY
WRITTEN FOR THE EVENING STAR BY JOEF-
FRY DAVIES.

1t was early dawn Of a crisp, cool Sep
TENDER morning, and a red sun was trying
hard to struggle out of a bank of blush
haze. A white frost was on the stubble
fields and the stacked corn, and the crimson
and russell foliage Of the mountain side had
the mostly look Oh colors on painters pa
lette.
Two boys were on the porch of typical
Pennsylv anla farm house, evidently prepar-
ing for a hunting trip. In front of the
house ran the Linglestown road, and beyond
1t strip of pine woods sloped to the oak
and chestnut timber of the Blue Ridge.
Teddy Kirkwood was sixteen, and a
frank. honest, impulsive lad, as one could
read in his blue eyes. Nick Bolter was
older by two years, and his other wise pleas
ing face was marred by a grasping look.
This was his inheritance rather than his
fault, for the Boilers had always been
noted for their close-fistedness. The boys
were neighbors, but they had little in COM
mon except a fondness for hunting, which
brought them together pretty frequently in
the fail Of the year.
1--WE couldn't have a better day for squir-
rels" remarked Teddy, as he rammed a
wad of crumpled paper into the barrel Of
woods are full of them this year.
II hope Wen get lot, and all grays."
replied Nick. They'll fetch a good price in
market tomorrow morning, and that's
where I'll take mine"
He slung his powder horn over one Shout
der and his shot pouch over the other
I'm ready" he added. picking up his gun.
80 am l." said Teddy. as he thrust a
parcel of lunch into his game bag. "Hullo,
here comes Jefferson Skinner. Tain't
0ft hopo arlxy
A covered buggy, drawn by lean, white
horse ratified up to the gate and stopped,
and large man in gray homespun Jumped
out. There was a grimmer expression than
usual on his hard, close-shaven face, and
his brow was knitted into ugly wrinkles.
The stopping of the vehicle brought Ted
dy's father out of the house and down to
the gate. "Mornin', Kirkwood, growled
the visitor. ''Seen anything O. that bound
boy Of mine-young Joe Hackett?"
Mr.. Kirkwood shook his head. did you
lose him." he asked.
HE run away last night" replied the
thing he could lay his hands on"
Amy valuables eh?"
''Waal, no." admitted the farmer. 1T was
all in the eating line. He cleaned out the
pantry. What rifles me is the ongrateful-
ness Of it, 1 treated that boy like my own
son, fed an clothed him, and looked after
his moral bringin' up. An that's the way
he rewards me. But I'll fix him when L
get him back. He's legally bound over TO
me till he comes of age, and l amt goin' to
let him slip"
'Any idea where he is?" asked Mr. Kirk
wood.
Jeb Perkins seen him cuttin' that way
across the fields back of Linglestown. You
boys goin' huntin'?" and the farmer turned
sharply to Teddy.
Were going to try our luck for squir-
rels." the lad replied.
''Then keep a lookout for the young ras-
cal. If you catch him and bring him to
my place I'll give you s5-a two-and-a-half
gold piece for each Of you. I'm goin' to
town to put the constable on the watch, an
I'll look In on the way back this evening"
With a smack at his pocket that made
the coins therein Jingle Mr.. jefferson Skim
mer leaped into the buggy and drove swift
ly off,
II never believed in this thing of bindin'
out boys" remarked Mr.. Kirkwood, with a
meditative shake of his head. TT simply
makes slaves Of 'em. an often to hard
taskmaster. ] won't say JEFF Skinner is
that. though it amt unlikely. He's a close
one at driving a bargain. Well, the lad is
his property. and he's lawful right to hunt
him and drag him back"
Il saw Joe Hackett the last time was
up the valley" said Teddy. He was cut
ting corn and he had only one suspender.
I wonder If he really is on the mountain.
I'd like to earn the reward. Two dollars
and a half will buy lots Of things 1 want"
''Fll save my share If / get it," replied
Nick. Wen keep our eyes open, anyway,
Teddy, and you bet Joe Hackett will be
goner If get sight of him. I'll draw bead
on him. like this" throwing his gun to his
shoulder. and then I'll yell, Halt, throw
up your hands, That will fetch him, sure"
He may rum" said Teddy.
Then I'll run faster" assured Nick. He
won't get away from me-"
but the squirrels will, II we don't soon
get started" said Teddy. Come on, now"
The boys crossed the road and plodded
through the sloping belt Of pine trees, dis
cussing, as they went along, the chances of
finding the fugitive. They concluded that
the prospect was poor. and that 1t would
be folly to waste the day on so doubtful
search. When they reached the heavier
timber on the upper part of ,he mountain
they found other things to think about.
The sharp barking Of squirrels was heard
all around them. and they advanced with
noiseless tread. stopping now and then to
watch and listen.
At noon they were several miles from
home, and on the fiat top Of the mountain.
They had eleven plump gray squirrels be-
tween them, which was a fair result for
the morning. After eating part Of their
lunch they stretched themselves lazily on
the dead leaves, and lay there for several
hours. looking up into the clear blue sky.
Finally Teddy rose to his feet and shoul-
dered his gun. Come along. Nick" he
said, II want to bag half a dozen more"
Plenty Of time" Nick replied with a
yawn. I'm tired. Wait q bit"
mo. I'm up now" said Teddy. You can
come after me when you feel like it. I
won't go any further than the big rock"
"All right, I'll be along" answered Nick.
'"This Ia soft as feather bed"
Lazy bones" laughed Teddy. well.
I'm off," He started briskly along the
ridge in a northerly direction, and before
he had gone a quarter of a mile he heard
the distant barking of a squirrel amid the
thick timber. Hoping to get sight Of II he
advanced over the rough ground with a
caution that brought all his knowledge of
woodcraft into play. There were tangled
coppices to be wormed through, dry twiss
and leaves and limbs to be Stunned.
So noiseless, indeed, was the young
hunters approach that not sound came to
the hearing Of lad who was sitting in a
sunny glade amid the dense thicket, with
his back against stone and his hands
deep In his pockets. He was q little bit of
q fellow, no more than fourteen, and his
face was pitiable for its paleness and wan
look. faded coat was buttoned close
about his throat to supply the lack of a
shirt collar; his trousers and shoes were
ragged, and a girls knitted cap was perch
ed on his unkempt hair.
AS Teddy broke softly and suddenly
through the thicket into the glade the lad
sprang to his feet with a gasp of terror and
stood there trembling and startled For a
brief instant the two confronted each other.
Then Teddy, who was equally surprised.
let his gun slide to the ground, darted
swiftly forward. and seized the fugitive by