The Van Buren press., 1896-12-26
SWIPES.
BY HOWARD sEGUR.

Swipes was, to use the vernacular of
the day, the kid around the telegraph
Office in the little town of Crompton.
Who his parents were--if, indeed, he
ever had anyways not definitely known
by the people of Crompton. No one
seemed to take sufficient interest in him
to look up his lineage, further than that
almost any one of the villagers could tell
.ou that he had been shipped to the town
some years before with four other boys
of about his own age-seven years
from the orphans home at Boston, with
the expectation of finding homes for
them among the farmers of eastern Ne
braska.
His four companions bad only stopped
with the farmers to whom they were as
signed long enough to get fitted out with
clothing, when they silently left for
parts unknown. Rumor had it that there
We're missing from the various homes
they had left numerous articles of
clothing and jewelry, and one farmer
said that he had missed $25 that he had
oarelessly left in his pocketbook on the
kitchen table the night of the disappear
ance.
Swipes, whose real name-so far as
he knew-was Harry Russell, did not go
With the other boys, but a good many
said that if he could have had his choice
lie would certainly have gone.
So strong was the talk in the neigh
borhood against the boys that Deacon
Powles, who was hard-tisted, avarcious
farmer. and who had taken Swipes to
raise finally said
YES. indeed he must gol How do
/ know but what he is stayin' here as
Il kind of deeoy, to either steal every
tling on the place he can lay his hands
on, or murder the whole family some
night in cold blood?"
AS the deacon was man of his word,
Swipes was uncereEoniously bounced.
Being in a strange country, the boy
hardly knew what to do or where to go.
Had he been in the city he would have
known what to do at once. AS it was, he
finally concluded that he must reach
Denver in some way, where he would get
a kit" and SO to backing boots or sell
Jug papers, as he had done in Boston.
As Denver was long distance away,
md the only practicable means of reach
ing that point was by rail, he naturally
Ilrifted to the station TO inquire concern
ing the distance, fare and time of trains.
lie met the station agent as he was start
ing for the livery stable with an impor-
tant message for Deacon Bowlcs. which
he intended sending to the country by
especial messenger"
When he saw Swipes he stopped alb
rrptly and said: Hello! you're the
very one I'm looking for. I've q mes
sage for the deacon, and you can save me
the trouble of looking up some one to
deliver it,"
II uln't stayin' at his place now," said
Swipes.
'Sinee when?'
This mornin'; he fired me-"
swell. is that so? You won't object to
make half dollar, will you, by TAX
ing this message to hm?"
mo, sir; can take it," Saying which,
Swipes took the message and walked
back TO the deacon's.
Thought l told you to leave the
place." shouted the deacon, as he
caught a glimpse Of Swines through the
hedge, as he reached the end of a row of
corn he was blowing.
Guess they hain't no law agin a Teller
bringing a message to you, is they?"
queried Swipes, as he handed the mes
sage through the hedge fence to the
deacon.
As he read the telegram, the deacon
grew livid with rage, as was his custom
when things did not go as he wished
tEem to- mo, indeed" he exclaimed.
IN not take the young upstart to keep
through vacation to have him poster and
worry the life out O. me" alludng to the
contentso fthe message. which was from
his wealthy nephew in the city. who
asked the deacon okeep his son through
The summer vacation. The deacon had
kept him the summer before and as a
compensation for his trouble, had re-
scived hundred dollars, which was wei
come 10 the hard-fisted old curmudgeon
well, why don't you goG" growled
the deacon when, after reading the
message, he saw that Swipes was still
waiting.
81 want half a dollar" reioined
Swipes.
a half a dollar! What do YOU want
n half dollar for?"
"For deliverin' that message; I'm
special messenger" said Swipes.
strengthening up to his full height.
a half dollar for wullSin' from the
deepo with a message, when l didn't
give you that much for months work.
] won't pay it," and the deacon shook
his fist at Swipes in a menacing man.
ser.
~All right, " man; the Teller that
vent it will have to pay it. them" re-
ioTied Swipes, as he started off.
The deacon turned his team; gave his
trousers hitch; took off his shoe and
shocked the dirt out Of it by striking