The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-03-02

reau III o1S Quo eyes. NICK bOltCr was
older by two years. and his otherwise
pleasing face was marred by a grasp
ing look.
A covered buggy drawn by a lean
white horse ratified up to the gate and
stopped, and largo man in gray
homespun jumped out.
The stopping of the vehicle brought
Teddy's father out of the house and
down to the gate.
''dornin'. Kirkwood," growled the
visitor. "Seen any thing O. that bound
boy of mine-young Joe Hackett?"
Mr.. Kirkwood shook his head. Ibid
you lose him?" he asked.
''He ran away last night" replied
the angry farmer, IAN stole purity near
everything he could lay his hands on. -
''Any va!uables, eh?"
''Waal, no." admitted the farmer. "it
was all in the eating line. He cleaned
out the pantry. What riles me is the
ongratefulness Of it. I treated that
boy like my own son, fed an clothed
him, and looked after his moral bring
In up. An that's the way he rewa rds
me. But I'll fix him when get him
back. He's legally bound over to me
till he comes OF age. and I amt goiu'
to let him slip You boys goin' hunt
imp" and the farmer turned sharply to
Teddy. 49,
''We're going to try our luck for
''Then keep a lookout for the young
rascal. II you catch him and bring
him to my place I'll give you ave dol
lsrs-a tsvo-dollar-snd-a-ha gold piece
for each OF you"
With O smack At his pocket that
made the coins therein jingle, Mr..
Jefferson SKINNER leaped into the
buggy and drove swiftly off.
II saw Joe Hackett the last time
was up in the valley" said Teddy. "Hc
was cutting corn, and he had only one
suspender wonder if he really is on
the nountain2 I'd like to earn the re-
ward. Two dollars and half will buy
lots of things I want"
Tho boys crossed the road and
piodded through the sloping belt OF
pine trees, discussing as they went
along the chances of finding the fugi-
tive.
When they reached the heavier tim
Der on the upper part OF the mountain
they found other things to think
about The sharp barking Of squirrels
was heard I'LL around them, and they
advanced with noiscless tread, stop
ping now and then to watch and list en-.
s At noon they were several miles from
home, and on the fiat top OF the IN oun-
tain. After eating a part Of their
lunch they stretched themselves lazily
Oh the dead leaves and lay there for
several hours. looking up into the
,lear blue sky.
Finally Teddy rose to his feet and
shouldered his gun. ''Come along,
Nick, he said, II want to bag half a
1ozensinore."
"Ylenty of time" Nick replied. with
s-yawn. ..I'm tired. Wait a bit"
4 Lazy bones laughed Teddy.
We'll, I'm off,
lie started briskly Slong the ridge
n lnortherly direction, and before he
rad gone q quarter of a mile ne heard ,
ne distant barking of a squirrel amid |
he thick timber.
S0Yoieeless was the young hunters :
Ippro1eh that not a sound came to the ;
,earinK Of q lad who was sitting in q !
nnny glade amid the dense thicket.
With his back against q stone and his |
lands deep in his pockets.
!, AS Teddy broke softly and suddenly |
though the thiclzet into the glade the
I'D spfang to his feet with a gasp of
error and stood there trembling and
tartled. |
Then Teddy let his gun slide to the
'round, darted swiftly forward, aud
eszed she fugitive by the coat collar
RED, triumphantly. mo gettin'
10y from me. I'm in luck
The lad made a brief and hopeless
kEl1fgle and then he submitted quiet
vNax6pping Imply down on the grass
hen Teddy loosed his hold. He
LHsNeds a tear out of each eye and
eaSfsa long breath.
sFI.n your'n," he said, in q bitter
1ne,sxs he looked up at his captor.
IsTGanA no use to kick. Are you go
u 70 tnlse me back TO jeff Skimmer?"
ssssof course" replied Teddy. ''What
lse2 YOU'RE . criminal according to
W. and there's q reward out, you
now,
sssI ain't criminal" the lad asserted
'lths moyrnful dogge.aness, ~ ain't :,
pA1 aothin' bad" /,