The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-07-18
ROBBERS OUTWITTED.
BY MYRoN B. GIBSON.

iHelIullu8 uhu Ol suppllCo for q small settlement on the Minne- sota river devolved upon four young fellows from fifteen to seventeen years 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 a high price, and, countingt he gold he received for it, dropped it into a 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.
 Ont to the Le Sueur settlement" replied Al,
 'Is that SOP" exclaimed the stranger. "Why, that's the very place want to reach I've an uncle out that way somewhere" he continued, as he glanced at the name on the boxes and barrels. He's trader by the name of Verdier. Do you know himP"
 T guess dov' replied Al. "Why, these are his goods we are loading with, See his name here on this box?'' Well, declare!" exclaimed the fel- low, stepping up to examine the name as if he had not read it before. "'An- toine Verdirer That's the name sure enough. And say, my young friend, can you carry me out there with you?' "Of course l can," answered Al, glad to be of service to a prospective neigh bOr. Il suppose you'll take up land and go to farming like the rest of us?'' That's just what want to do," re- piled the man. ''Is there any good government land near my uncles place?"
 ''Oh. yes, plenty of it." said Al, land the folks will all be glad to have an other neighbor."
 I'm glad to hear that" said the stranger. T 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 ready-that is, unless you'd like my help about loading"
 Never mind tn at," said Al. "You go 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 around nearly every time we've been here"
 T wouldn't wonder if Frank was right, AL" added August Shaefer; "I think myself I've seen his face be- fore"
 ''Oh, pshaw" said Al, who did not relish this imputed want of sagacity on his part. Its some other fellow that you've seen. Whats the difference, anyhow? guess four of us needn't be afraid of a fellow of his size."
 Yes, but we ought not to take any chances" persisted Frank. All that money and these goods are enough 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, ain't l?" said the man, stepping briskly up with his bundle, as the boys were ready to start, and climbing into the seat side of Al. "l thought I'd get back in time to eat din' ner with you, so brought along some sandwiches"
 "Time 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 tc the strangers sandwiches.
 The goods of the trader consisted oi the dry goods, groceries, medicines, ammunition, etc., commonly kept in backwoods stores, not emitting the baleful fire water" that rendered bar ter with the Indians so profitable tc interruptions traders.
 Whats that uncle's got in there" asked the stranger, pointing to box the lid of which had become loosened "Some kind of liquor, guess" re piled Al. "I see it's full of bottles"
 Well, if that's the case, we must have something to wash down this lunch," exclaimed the stranger. as he leaned over, tore % the lid and began handling over the bottles.
 Hold onl" cried Al. "These things don't belong to me, and I'd rather you'd let them alone!'
 "Oh, never fear!" laughed the man, as he continued rummaging among the bottles. "rll make it all right with uncle. Why, he wouldn't like it at all if didn't help myself to anything of his"
 The box contained all sorts of drugs and medicines, but at last the fellow found what he wanted and held up a