The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-23
SURPRISED THEM.

stIha6 must pc Tne place. IL answers
the description they gave me. If he
doesn't read me at the first opening, then
I'll feel pretty safe despite the old gentle
mans orusty temper. "
The traveller rode up to the farmhouse,
his eyes fixed upon a man who stood in
the doorway.
GOOD morning, SIR called out the
young man as the other made no move
ment. Il presume this is where Mr.. Mer-
rill livesP''
He does on Sunday. Rest of the week
Uncle Lie runs the place. Eff you want
/ to see me, you'd 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 the travellers 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 Uncle
| Lie, his mouth full. 1--WE was spectin you
''There must be some mistake, Mr. -
Eff they is, hain't made it. Eff you re
hungry, eat; eff not, sit by ontel ain IT,
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 a prettier, more
graceful girl than rosy checked, bright
| eyed, curly headed Maria Merrill.
'Jim,' said Uncle Lie, at length aris-
| ing, you go put up the strangers boss,
| Mari, you go fetch the doin's in tn other
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
~ vanished.
Stop thar exclaimed Uncle Life in
his deep, echoing voice as the stranger was
| about to speak, and pouring out a glass of
whisky he pushed it forward. "Drink
that; then take a smoke. Wen look to
| business a 'terward -
'I'll smoke with pleasure, but seldom
drink
81 reckon you'd better drink, stranger
and Uncle Lie slowly arose from his
chair-''ef I ak it 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
a smoke. I won't have one word ontel
| you've did as 1 say With faint smile
/ the traveller obeyed the peremptory com
mand of his eccentric host, and the twain
sat blowing a cloud in perfect silence.
| Quietly Mrs. Merrill and her three children
entered the room and took seats. Then
| emptying the ashes from bis exhausted
| pipe Uncle Lie spoke; Now, stranger,
we kin talk business. Who air you, an what
| you want O. me or mine?''
I'm a drover looking for cattle I
heard you had some to dispose of and
came here to see if we could make bar
| gain, . was the prompt reply.
Yes, 1 hearn you was likely to come
| this way, an SO, as lnebbe you noticed
we was sorter on the lookout fer you. I've
got the cattle, an IN always ready fer a
! trade eff the farms suit. But fust-yOu
chad a good supper-alI you wanted to eat?"
/ Certainly, and I am ready to-
/ 81 don't doubt it mite, stranger, but
| jest hol up bit. That was good whisky
| an pretty ia + tobacco, seein 1 raised it,
ehP An we've treated you like a gentle
| man, haint we? Jest SO. WAL that was
! all fer the fellow you said you was an
here g for the pizen critter you be-"
| | AS he spoke Uncle Lie Strengthened out
| his arm, with huge fist at the end of it,
| and drover lay quivering in the oppO
| site corner of the room, knocked senseless,
and in a minute or two more he was bound
! hand and foot
! AS he tried to remember what had hap
| pened he heard the sharp explosion of a
/ rifle, followed by another and another,
| mingled with wild cries and yells of pain.
/ 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
/ thuTEh 1a11cyh bandiT<y ia n
I'm right glad O. that, fer it'n save me
trouble. Now your legs is free. Git up
an travel"
mot 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.
Nov, then, stan thar, he added, lower
| ing the young man to his feet Don t
try none O. your tricks, OF you'n fare the
wuss."
II Two men lay dead across the doorstep
4 1.-Two others, their garments torn and blood
stained, were lying upon the ground bound
and helpless, while little Tom, the youn-
gest 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. Thars two on 'em
| yonder'n be able to keep you company in
| pulling hemp soon as the neighbOrs git
| here
GOOD heavensi You don't think was
4 in league with those menu cried the
Bryoung man as a sudden light burst upon
his head "And that's why-Uncle Lie,
II I'm VIII Cook, your nephew, son of Aunt
Nancy's brother. Feel in my breast pocket
Il I've got letters for you only 1 thought
would surprise you all and have little
fun first by playing stranger
HI Uncle Lie was too immensely disguised
H with himself to tell the story, but little
Tom quickly supplied the deficiency.
1t seemed that he had been out cunning,
and running a squirrel into its hole con
| cealed himself in a dense pIulllp of bushes