The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-01-24

frank, honest, impulsive lad, as one
read in his blue eyes. Nick Bolter 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 a large man in gray
homespun jumped out.
The stopping of the vehicle brought
Teddy'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. 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 valuables, eh?"
"Waal, no." admitted the farmer, lit
was all in the eating line. He cleaned
out the pantry. What rifles me is the
ongratefulness of it. ] 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 rewards
me. But I'll fix him when ! get him
back. He's legally bound over to me
till he comes of age, and / amt goin'
to let him slip. You boys goin' hunt
in'?" and the farmer turned sharply to
Teddy.
Were going to try our luck for
squirrels" the lad replied.
Then keep a lookout for the young
rascal. If you catch him and bring
him to my place I'll give you five dol
lars-a two-dollar-and-a-half gold piece
for each of you"
made the coins therein jingle, Mr..
jefferson Skinner leaped into the
buggy and drove swiftly off.
~ saw Joe Hackett the last time /
was up in the valley, said Teddy. He
was cutting corn, and he had only ,ne
suspender. ! wonder if he really ia on
the mountain? I'd like to earn tho re-
ward. Two dollars and a half will buy
lots of things l want"
The boys crossed the road and
plodded 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
vas heard all around them, and they
advanced with noiseless tread, stop
ping now and then to watch and listen.
At noon they were several miles from
home, and on the fat top of the noun
tain. After eating a 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
shouldered 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 a bit"
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.
so noiseless was the young hunters
approach that not a sound came to the
hearing of a lad who was sitting in a
sunny glade amid The dense thicket.
with his back against d stone and his
hands deep in his pockets.
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.
Then Teddy let his gun slide To the
ground, darted swiftly forward, and
seized the fugitive by the coat collar.
mo, you don't, Joe Hackett,' he
cried, triumphantly. mo gettin'
away from me. I'm in luck"