Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-09-02
ROBBERS OUTWITTED.
BY MYRON Il. GIBSON.

fellows from fifteen to seventeen wears
of age. They had made several trips
with loads of wheat to the nearest
town on the Mississippi, and laid in a
winters supply of provisions for the
whole settlement, and on this, their
last trip, were to sell their wheat for
cash and bring back loads of freight
for an old Frenchman who kept a
trading post near the settlement
Al Talman, the Oldest of the boys,
who was intrusted with the buying
and selling, sold the wheat for high
price, and countingt he gold he received
for 1t, dropped it into buckskin purse
and thrust it deep in his pocket, taking
little notice of the crowd about the
warehouse Office as he did SO.
While the boys were loading the
traders goods into their wagons, a
well-dressed stranger sauntered up and
after cracking joke or two, careless
ly inquired where they were freight
ing.
"Out to the LIE Sueur settlement"
replied AL.
"Is that SOP" exclaimed the stranger.
"Why, that's the very place want to
icdChi No all uHCle OUT IndU way
somewhere" he continued, as he
glanced at the name on the boxes and
barrels. lies a trader by the name of
Verdier. Do you know him?"
II guess | dor replied Al. "Why,
these are his goods we are loading
with, See his name here on this box?'
"Well declared" exclaimed the fell
low, stepping up 10 examine the name
as II he had not read it before. can
tome Verdiren That's the name sure
enough. And say, my young friend,
can you carry me out there with youP"
"Of course / can" answered Al, glad
to be of service to a prospective neigh
Dor. II suppose you'll take up land
and go to farming like the rest of us?'
''That's just what l want to do" re-
piled the man. SIS there any good
government land near my uncle's
place?"
"Oh, yes, plenty of it," said Al, land
the folks will all be glad to have an
other neighbor."
"1'm glad to hear that" said the
stranger II came up on the boat just
the other day, and was afraid Ia be
too late to get any good land. I'll go
up to the hotel now and get my things
readv-that is. unless you'd like nv
help about loading"
"Never mind tn att said AL "You
90 and get ready, and we'll soon have
these things aboard"
Say, AL" spoke up Frank Gibbs, as
soon as the man was out of hearing"
believe that fellow is lying. If I'm not
mistaken. I've seen him HANGING oround
nearly every time we've been here
II wouldn't wonder if Frank was
right, AL" added August Shaefer. az
think myself I've seen his face be.
FORE"
''Oh, pshawI' said AL. who did not
relish this imputed want of sagacitv on
his part. Its some other fellow that
you've seen. What's the difference.
anyhow? guess four of us needn't be
afraid of n fellow of his SIZE"
Eyes, but we ought not to take anv
chances" persisted Frank. "All that
. money and these goods are enouph to
tempt robbers if they knew we had
them aboard, and YOU know the folks
warned us not to take up with stran-
gers"
''That's SO, they did," admitted AL.
But don't see how we're going to
get out of it now"
Just in time, amt ~" said the man,
stepping brislSly up with his bundle, as
the boys were ready to start, and
climbing into the seat side of AL. 81
thought I'd get back in time to eat din
ner with you, so l brought along some
sandwiches"
Thine enough yet" said AL. "We're
loaded heavier than usual, and thought
we'd eat as we rode along, to save
time"
"A very good plan," assented the
stranger, who was soon sampling AIS
doughnuts, while the latter returned
the compliment by helping himself to
the strangers sandwiches.
The goods of the trader consisted of
the dry goods, groceries, medicines
ammunition, etc, commonly kept in
ho rly otnrao not