Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-08-20
SURPRISED THEM.

DOESN'T read me at the iirst opening, thCn
IN feel pretty safe despite the old gentle.
mans crusty temper"
Tho traveller rodc up to the farmhouse,
his eyes fixed upon man who stood in
the doorway
Good morning, sir" called ont tho
young man as the other made no move
mcnt. Il presume tins is where MIR Mcr
rill livcsy"
"Ho does on Sunday. Rest Of the wreck
Uncle Lilo runs the place. III you want
to sec me, you'd better light out an hitch.
Suppers jest ready, an ] don't wait for no
man" And 90 speaking the farmer turned
his broad buck and disappeared within tho
house
The subdued chatter OF knives and forks
met the Travellers our, and through tho
long hall there came an appotizing odor Of
hot food
His hesitation was brief. A long ride
had made him hungry, and literally fol-
lowing his nose he stalked into tho dining
room.
"Slt down an eat, mumblod Uncle
Lie, his mouth full. "Wc was spcctin you"
"lhorc must be some mistake, MR.
"Ef they is ] hHiu't made It, III you're
hungry, cat; IF not, sit by ontei | ain IT,"
growlcd the farmer,
The farmers wife, two sons and
daughter were present, but only ono Of
these won much attention from the trav.
elcr, and before that silent meal was end
cd he caught himself acknowledging that
he had mover behold prcttier, more
graceful girl than rosy checked. bright
eyed, curly headed Maria Merrill
Jim, said Uncle Lie at length nris-
ing, you 20 put up the strangers boss,
Mari, you go fetch the doin's In th'othcr
room, an you, stranger, come along o
me"
Tho young man ohcycd.
In few moments Marin followed them,
bearing pipes, homemade tobacco glusses
and u bottle Of whisky
Placing these upon the table, she quick.
ly vanished.
" Stop thar" exclaimed Uncle Life in
his deep, ochoing voice as tho stranger was
about TO speak, and pouring out glass OF
whisky ho pushed II forward. Drink
that; then take smoke, Wen look To
business atcrward."
I'm smoke with pleasure, but seldom
drink"-
81 reckon you'd better drink, stranger"
and Uncle Lie slowly arose from his
chair-'of ak 1t as a favor"
"That's another thing" hastily replied
the traveller, swallowing the liquor though
1t brought tears TO his eyes.
Good enough. Now set down nm have
q smoke won't have one word ontcl
you've did as | shy" With faint smile
the traveller obeyod the porcmptory com
mand Of his eccentric host, and tho twain
sat blowing cloud in perfect silence.
Quietly Mrs. Merrill and hor throc children
entered the room aud took seats. Then
emptying the ashes from bis exhausted
pipe Uncle Lilo spoke; Now, stranger,
we kin talk business Who mir you, an what
you want o. me or mincg"
Pm drovor looking for cattle. /
heard you Ind some to dispose of and
came hero to sec II We could make bar
gain, was the prompt reply.
Yes, l hearn you was likely to come
this way, an so, as mobbo you noticed,
we was sortcr ON the lookout fer you. I've
got tho cattle, an I'm always ready fer u
trndo Of tho farms suit. But iust-you
had u good suppcr-all you wanted to eatY"
Certainly, and am ready to-
81 don't doubt 1t mite, stranger, but
Jest hol' up u bit Tint wns good whisky
IN pretty far tobacco, scein l raised 1t,
ehS An we've treated you like gentle
man, hain't WEI Jest SO. WAL, that was
all fer the fellow You said you was, an
here's for the pizon critter you be.
As he spoke Uncle Lie Strengthened out
his arm, with a hugo fist at tho end Of 1t,
and the drover lay quiyering in the oppo-
site corner Of the room, knocked senscless,
and In u minute or two more he WINS bound
hand and foot.
As he tried to remember what had hap
poned he heard the sharp explosion of n
rifle, followed by another and another,
mingled with wild cries and yclls Of pain.
This lasted several minutes, after which
came silence,
Tho door opened and n bright light
flashed in upon the prisoner ms Uncle Lie
entered, accompanied by Maria bearing u
candle.
You've woke up, hoyS" he said, with a
harsh laugh, bending over the young man
"I'm right glad o. TINT fer tn save me
trouble Now your legs is freq Git up
an travel "
Not unless you tell me what you
mean.
Jest as you say." And he tossed tho
prisoner upon his shoulder and passed
through the hall and out upon the piazza.
Now, then, stan thar, - he added, lower
ing tho young man TO his feet Don I
try none o. your tricks, or you'll fare tho
wuss"
Two men lay dead across tho doorstep.
Two others, their garments torn and blood
stained, were lying upon the ground bound
and helpless, while little Tom. tho youn-
gest son, crouchcd between them, u cooked
revolver in his hand,
You don't pear TO like the way your
spoculation's turned out ." laughed Uncle
Lie. Never mind. Thurs two on 'cm
Npnnpr III hn MI. tn,