The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-22

to see me, you'j better light out an hitch.
Supper's jest ready, an I don't wait for
no man." and SO speaking the farmer
turned his broad back and disappeared
within the house.
The subdued clatter of knives and forks
met his ear. and through the long hall
there came an appetizing odor OF hot food.
His hesitation was brief. A long ride
had made him hungry, and literally fol-
lowing his nose he stalked into the dining
room.
sit down an eat" mumbled Uncls
Lie, his mouth full. I'VE was spectin
ye."
There must be some mistake. Mr.
''Ef they is, I hain't made it. Eff you re
hungry, eat; ef not, sit by ontel ain't,n
growled the farmer.
The farmers wife, two sons and
daughter were present, but only one OF
these won much attention from the trav-
eler, and before that silent meal was end
ed he caught himself acknowledging that
he had never beheld prettier, more
graceful girl than rosy checked. bright
eyed. curly headed Maria Merrill.
'tJim," said Uncle Lie, at length aris-
ing, you go put up the strangers hess.
Mari, you 60 fetch the doin's in tother
room, an you, stranger, come along o.
me''
The young man obeyed.
In few moments Maria followed them,
bearing pipes, homemade tobacco, glasses
and bottle of whisky.
Placing these upon the table, she quick
ly vanished.
''Stop thar" exclaimed Uncle Lie in
his deep, echoing voice as the stranger
was about to speak, and pouring out
glass of whisky he pushed it forward.
Drink that, then take smoke. Wen
look to business a 'terward."
IN smoke with pleasure, but I seldom
drink
Il reckon you'd better drink, stranger,
and Uncle Lie slowly arose from his
chair, ''ef ak il as favor"
That's another thing" hastily replied
the traveller, swallowing the liquor,
though it brought tears TO his eyes.
Good enough Now set down an
have smoke. won't have one word
ontel you've did as l say" With faint
smile the traveller obeyed the peremptory
command of his eccentric host, and the
twain sat blowing "a cloud in perfect 81
lence Quietly Mrs. Merrill and her three
children entered the room and took seats.
Then emptying the ashes from his ex-
hausted pipe Uncle Lie spoke: Now,
stranger, we kin talk business. Who air
ye, an what We want o me or miner
I'm a drover looking for cattle. l
heard you had some to dispose of and
came here to see il we could make a bar
gain, was the prompt reply.
Eyes, hearn you was likely to come
this way, and SO, as mebbe you noticed,
we was sorter on the lookout fer ye. I've
got the cattle, an I'm always ready fer
trade eff the farms suit. But fust-yOu
had good supper-all you wanted to
eat?''
Certainly, and I am ready to-
Il don't doubt it a mite, stranger, but
jest hol up BIT. That was good whisky
and pretty far tobacco, seein L raised it,
Ell? An we've treated you like a gentle
man, hain't we? Jest So WAL, that
was all fer the fellow you said you was,
an here's for the pizen critter you be. "
As he spoke Uncle Lie Strengthened
out his arm, with huge fist at the end
of it, and the drover lay quivering in the
opposite corner of the room. knocked
senseless, and in a minute or two more he
was bound hand and foot.
AS he Ir1GU 10 WHdG uau
pened he heard the sharp explosion of
rifle, followed by another and another,
mingled with wild cries and yellS of pain
and anger.
This lasted several minutes, after which
came silence.
The door opened, and a bright light
flashed in upon the prisoner as Uncle Lie
entered, accompanied by Maria, bearing
candle.
you've woke up, hey?'' he said, with
a harsh laugh, bending over the young
man. "I'm right glad o. that, fer it'll
save rue trouble. Now your legs is free.
Git up and travel. y
Not unless you tell me what you
mean
jest as you say and he tossed the
prisoner upon his, shoulder and passed
through the hall and out upon the piazza.
Now, then, stan thar" he added, lower
ing the young man to his feet. Don't
try none of yonr tricks, or you'll fare the
wuss."
Two men lay dead across the doorstep.
Two others, their garments torn and
blood stained, were lying upon the ground
bound and helpless, while little Tom, the
youngest son, crouched between them, a
cooked revolver in his hand.
You don't pear to like the way your
speculation's turned out" laughed Uncle
Lie. Never mind. Thar's two on 'em
wonderful be able to keep you company in
pulling hemp soon as the neighborS git
here"
Good heaven! You don't think I was
in league with those mem" cried the young
man as a sudden light burst upon his
head. And that's why-Uncle Lie, I'm
VIII Cook, your nephew, son of Aunt
Nancy's brother. Feel in my breast peck
ct. I've got letters for you, only 1
thought | would surprise you all and have
little fun first by playing stranger"
Uncle Lie was too immensely disgust
ed with himself to tell the story, but little
Tom quickly supplied the deficiency.
IL seemed that he had been out gun
ming, and running a squirrel into its hole
concealed himself in dense clump of
bushes to await the animals temperance.
While waiting he heard voices, and the
first words he caught caused him to crouch
still closer.
Two men were slowly passing by, and
their words revealed a bold plot 70 rob
Uncle Lie, who was known TO have sold
a valuable herd OF cattle two days before.
Not only did Tom hear this, bat he
heard that one man was to drop in at the
house, and if possible obtain a nights
lodging, thus making it easy for him 10
admit his confedeTates at the right hour.
An hour later Will Cook made his ap-
pearanCe and received the treatment in
tended for the spy. Just why the plan
was changed was never known, for the
two captured there's made no confession
before they suffered lynch law at the
hands Of The excited sarilers. -EXchAng