The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1895-01-31

teen, II q q
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 grasp
ing look.
A covered buggy drawn by lean
white horse ratified up to the gate and
stopped, and large man in gray
homespun jumped out.
The stopping of the vehicle brought
Teddys 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 Haclett?"
Mr. kirltwood 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, ehP"
WAL. no." admitted the farmer, sit
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
me. But I'll fix him when get him
back He's legally bound over to me
till he comes of age. and l amt goin
to let him slip. You boys goin' hunt
imp" and the farmer turned sharply to
Teddy
We're 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-hal gold piece
for each of YOU"
With 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 I
was up in the valley" said Teddy. "He
wns cutting corn, and he had only one
the mountain? I'd like to earn the re-
ward. Two dollars and half will buy
lots of things I 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
was heard all around them, and they
advanced with noiseless tread, stop
ping now and then to watch and list en-.
At noon they were several miles from
home, and on the fiat 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
yawn. "I'm tired. Wait bit"
Lazy bones," laughed Teddy.
''Well, I'm off,"
He started briskly along the ridge
in northerly direction, and before he
had gone quarter of mile he heard
the distant barking of squirrel amid
the thick timber.
So noiseless was the young hunters
approach that not sound came to tho
hearing of a lad who was sitting in
sunny glade amid the dense thicket,
with his back against stone and his
hands deep in his pockets.
As Teddy broke softly and suddenly
through the thiclSet into the glade the
lad sprang to his feet with q gasp of
terror and stood there trembling and
startled.
Then Teddy let his gun slide to the
ground, darted swiftly forward, aud
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"
The lad made brief and hopeless
struggle and then he submitted quiet
ly, dropping Imply down on the grass
when Teddy loosed his hold. lie
screwed a tear out of each eye and
drew long breath.
''I'm your'n," he said, In bitter
tone, as he looked up at his captor
"Tain't no use to kick. Are yon go.
ing to tnke rue back to jeff Skinner"
"Of course" replied Teddy. What
else? You're a criminal according to
law, and there's reward out. you
know" :.
II ain't criminal" the lad asserted
with mourntul doggs1nsss, u amt
ycps poibiB' bsd,s