Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-11-16

man called "O-a-k-l-a-n-d.' as II only
the deaf lived at that station. Mrs.
Smead was waiting for her husband.
whom she expected on the $50 train,
but the train had come and gone, and
instead of the handsome. well-groomcd
MIR. Smead a frantic woman, her neigh.
Dor, Mrs. Thorne, rushed into her cot
tage.
i've caught him. she gasped. Hes
locked up in the library! Oh! oh. OH
Caught whom asked the mystified
woman. Then. seeing that her dis
traeted visitor was very near fainting
she collected restoratives and brought
back Mrs. Thorne's scattered wits.
Maud explained as soon as she could
speak that desperate-looking man,
burglar. she was certain. and convict
as well, by the cut of his hair-had
felonoiusly entered her house moment
before she came, and, walking boldly
into her library. had been locked safely
therein by herself.
The windows are nailed down;
have been waiting for Perry to open
them. so he cannot escape that way"
she concluded.
Il expected Amos on the last train;
| don't see what is keeping him." said
Mrs. Smead, but he has not come yet.
Neither has Perry. but perhaps they
will come together. Isn't 1t dreadful?
| daren't go back with that man in the
house. / know by his looks he's a
murderer. Our girl hasn't come and
I'm all alone. Oh. il Mr.. Smead were
only herem
Il guess I'll do just as we'll" said
Mrs Smead boldly. Il will take our
revolver and you can bring the stove
litter. and We will interview him
through the door,
But what good viii that do? He may
s-h-o-o-t first,"
Come on" said Mrs. Smead, con-
temptuously. She was only young
matron herself. but she was not going
to be ANONYMOUSLY routed by one
man army, and she led the way to her
neigbor's cottage. No other people
llVed In the row. so they had all the
tun to themselves.
But at that identical moment the TAO
train. sometimes called the husbands
train" so many OF them went out to
spend the weeks interval with their
families, stopped at the nearest depot
and Perry Thorne, with his double load
Of packages, hove in sight Both WON
en- were oyerioyed to see him.
What's the row." he asked, drop
ping his bundles on the yeranda.
"A man. said both women at once.
| Where is Smead?''
That is what | would like to know. =
said Mrs. Smead. Il expect him on this
! train"
Il :syen't seen him. Who is the
MANI"
"A burglar. and he's locked up in
the library. Don't you think l was
brave?" asked Maud, who. now that her
husband had come, felt that she might
pose as heroine.
Burglars already? Ha, this is a di,
version Give me the key, Maud. I'll
take your revolver, Mrs. Smead. Now
ladies, stand aside" and Perry made
valiant rush for the library door, which
he unlocked and threw open. at the
same time presenting arms according
to the best manual practice
Don't shoot~ cried familiar voice
that trembled. not with fear, but merri-
ment, as Mr.. Smead stepped smilingiy
forward and bowed low to Maud. II
am Mrs. Thorne's captive" he said.
What does this mean?" cried Perry.
his face flaming.
Yes, what does 1t mean?" demanded
| Mrs. Smead in the measured syllabIes
Of the divorce court
1T means explained Mr.. Smead
| that my wife has not yet learned to
box the compass. She gave me south.
west and your wife locked me up in
room that has no ventilation and is IN.
der criminal ban. But forgive her
| he added, with gallant protest, wherea.
Maud's cheeks grew red with embar-
rassment, and Mrs. Smead said Come
home. After this will meet you at in,
train and see that you don't get int5
the wrong house"
Do forgive me, Mr.. Smead," said
Maud penitently. while Perry glareg
| darkly like jealous stage lover, "bu;
you did look $3.50"
She said you looked like convict.
remarked his wife.
Eat least 1t has made us acquainted,
observed Mr.. Smead, true to his colors.
and with this parting shot he followed
his wife to the Southeast" cottage.
Elm ANCIAI SCHOOL