The morning times., 1896-03-29
S:'l'g s: Two Boys
g g
IsIlS And a
Thief....
BY D. D. SMITH.
tCGpyrighted, 1896. }

copyrighted, 1862
81 tell yc, they amt any decent fishing
around here, young reIers.' Howard aud
Larry looked up and were surprised to see
big man in d slouch hat faded clothes and
with red, uDshaven face.
Larry pulled a string of six fish out OF
the water and held them up. We've
caught these since 3 O'clock"
Got match?"' said the man, as he
walked quietly TO the other side Of the
boys and sat down on log. Larry gave
him three. which he put into his pocket.
Big celebration in town tomorrow,
amt they? Fireworks in the evening, ]
hear. Shoot 'em off about o O'clock
The man seemed restless, got up, walked
about and made some noise by splaShing
a board in the water Howard looked
quickly; the fellow laughed, or rather,
gTunted.
After 6, reckon? You young fcllers
live III to wn?''
Larry said it was about a quarter OF 6,
without looking at his watch; the boys
rolled up their lines and started home
with the string of fish. The man walked
with them TO the railroad track. 80
long, yom gsters,"
Did Not Like said he, as ne went
His Looks. off to the left, al right
angles to the track.
When the boys had walked nearly to the
curve, Larry looked around and the mans
head and shoulders were just over the top
OF the embankment at the cut. He was
watching them.
Just before they reached home Larry said:
Howard come over TO my house right after
supper. I've got an idea about that bum
out there at the lake. Don't say any
thing TO your father about the man.
Both boEs ate their supper hurriedly and
said little.
Howard found larry waiting for him
wear that hat. I'll get you one of my
caps. Come on; | got q scheme to get
Jack Lows boat and row across the lake
TO where we We're fishing this afternoon.
! SAY that man give queer look toward
that log; it meant something was hid
there. and he was anxious 10 get us away"
They got the boat and started across the
lake.
When within six feet of the shore the
boys stopped and listened. Then the boat
was pushed gently ashore with an oar
Rope was made fast between two stones.
They walked slowly and carefully toward
the spot where they had fiShed. Both
were excited, and every nerve of sight and
hearing at the keenest tension. Agreeing
part of the log that was hollow. After ten
minutes OF searching, during which time
they could almost hear their hearts beat
ing. they stopped and listened. Il guess
we had our row for nothing" whispered
Howard. Lets look
some more up at this They Found
end, Larry" Put Letter.
ting his finger in
knot-holc of a large limb that ran down
ward, Howard knocked something cut on
the grOund-a small wad OF paper. They
unrolled it with heads together Moth
ing in 1t, and twas TOO dark 10 look for
writing. After poking q bout awhile longer
Larry insisted it was getting lighter, as
the moon was coming up. They made for
the ho't. getting off with more noise than
In anding.
uoIt,.er if that paper is a letter OF that
buns to his giri?' SAID Howard, when
they were quarter of q mile from shore.
They sa W no one as they moved back across
the lake, but once heard the regular splash
of oars not far Off
After returning the boat to Jacks
place they hurried home.
Lets see that paper, Larry, said
Howard, as they stepped into the kitchen
of Howard's home and lit the gas. Yes,
there's some writing in pencil on it, what's
that first word?' With eager faces and
shining eyes the boys leaned over and made
out this dark message:
Be ready j. 4; meet boats 1918; need
six horses; got the checks; he can never
peep; do the job at tank; we know Doodle
is III second car; got our nerve with us.
Great Scott! Somebody's goin' to rob
train. Shall we take this to the police?
No, right down to the depot. Mr.. Hay, the
superintendent, is the man. said Larry.
4 couple of breatheSs boys knocked at
the door of the train dispatcher's office
and asked for Mr.. Hay.
That's him over there?''
We'll, boys, what do you want this
time o. night?''
Larry handed him a dirty, crumpled
paper. He read it lowly, dropped his
newspaper on the floor, sat up straight
and looked carefully at the boys. Come
in here, young men, said he, opening a
door to his private office. He asked their
names, where they lived and then ques-
toned them as to the circumstances, APP
pearance of the man and place of finding
the paper Reaching for telegraph blank
he called in one of the men from the
other room and had a few words with him.
Nearly everybody was going downtown
in the evening TO see the fireworks. Larry
and Howara had had day of suppressed
excitement which was somewhat relieved
by their being together all day and talk
ing over as adventurous boys would what
was probably before them that night.
They were at the depot promptly ut 6.
Everything was quiet; nobody looked at
all as the boys felt. In Superintendent
Hays office were number of quiet men
who looked curiously at Larry and II Howard.
A general consultation was held as to a
proposed method OF quiet and successful
capture of the train robbers.
The paper found in the log was passed
around and freely discussed.
1t was decided that the deputies must
w No orSgtr
to be with nine men
They Fixed who were to go after
A Trap. dark in twos and
threes and conceal
themselves in an old shed on the other
side OF the track almost opposite the
mil ruPr To hn tnl-n