The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-30
SURPRISED THEM.

the description they gave me. II he
doesn't read mo at the first opening, Their
III feel pretty safe despite the old gentle
mans orusty temper"
Tho traveller rode up to the farmhouse
bis 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 II presume this is where Mr.. Mer.
rilf livesP'
HE does on Sunday. Rest Of the week
Uncle Lie runs the place. Ef you want
to SEQ me, you'd better light out an hitch.
Supper's jest ready, an don't walt 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. I"
There must be some mistake, Mr.. -
"Ef they is, hain't made it. Eff you're
hungry, eat; eff not, sit by ontel amt"
growled the farmer.
The farmers wife, two SONS and
daughter were present, but only one of
these won much attention from the tray.
eler, and before that silent meal was end.
ed no caught himself acknowledging that
he had never beheld 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 hoss,
Mari, you go fetch the doin's In thother
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.
ly vanished.
"Stop thar" exclaimed Uncle Life in
his deep, echoing voice as the stranger was
about to speak, and pouring out glass Of
whisky he pushed it forward. "Drink
that; then take smoke. Well look to
business a'terward.
"1'll smoke with pleasure, but l seldom
drink
II reckon you'd better drink, stranger"
and Uncle Lie slowly arose from his
chair-"ef l ak 1T as favor
"Thats another thing" hastily replied
the traveller, swallowing the liquor, though
1t brought tears to his eyes.
GOOD enough. Now set down an have
q smoke. won't have one word ontel
you've did as say" With faint smile
tho 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 mineP''
"1'm a droyer looking for cattle. !
heard you had some to dispose of and
came here to sec If we could make bar
gain, was the prompt reply.
Yes, l hearn you was likely to come
this way, ON SO, as mebbe you noticed
we was sorter on the lookout fer you. Two
got the cattle, an I'm always ready fer q
trade eff the farms suit. But fust--you
had q good supper-all you wanted to eatp"
Certainly, and am ready to-
II don't doubt 1t q mite stranger, but
jest hol up bit That was good whisky
an pretty far tobacco, seein / raised it,
ehP An we've treated you like a gentle.
man, haint wep Jest so. Waal that was |
all fer the fellow you said you was, an
here's for the piZen critter you be.
AS he spoke Uncle Lie Strengthened out |
his arm, with huge fist at the end of it,
and the droyer lay quivering in the oppo.
site corner OF the room, knocked senseless,
and in minute or two more he was bound
hand and foot.
As he tried to remember what had han.
poned no heard the sharp explosion of q
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 bright light
flashed in upon the prisoner as Uncle Lie
entered, accompanied by Maria, bearing
candle.
you've woke up, LeyP" ho said, with
harsh laugh, bending over the young man.
I'm right glad O. that, teritn save mo
trouble. Now your legs is free Git up
an travel"
"Not unless you tell mo what you
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
ng the young man to his feet "Don't
ry none O. your tricks, or you'll fare tho
yuss
Two men lay dead across the doorstep.
Two others, their garments torn and blood
tanned, were lying upon the ground bound
md helpless, while little Tom, tho youn.
est son, crouched between them, u cooked
evolrer in his hand
You don't pear to like the way your
turned out" laughed Unclo
Iije. Never mind. Thar's two on em
onder'll be able to keep you company in
ulling hemp soon as the neighbors git
ere"
GOOD heavensl You don't think was
n league with those menf" cried the
Dung man as sudden light burst upon
is head. And that's why-Uncle Lie,
IN VIII Cook, your nephew, son of Aunt
ancy's brother. Feel in my breast pocket.
We got letters for you, only I thought
'ould surprise you oil and have a little
IN first by playing stranger"
Uncle Lille was too immensely disguised
18th himself to tell the story, but little
ON quickly supplied the deficiency.
1t seemed that he had been out cunning, ,,
nd running II squirrel into its hole con- ,
'aled himself in a dense clump of bushes
await the animals temperance. While !
altlng he heard voices, and the first :.
ordS he caught caused him to crouch still ;
Oser.
Two men were slowly passing by, and |;
eir words revealed bold plot to rob !,
nclo Lie, who was known to have sold -
Iluablc herd of cattle two days before
Not only did Tom hear this, but he
ard that one man was to drop in at the
'use and II possible obtain nights O.
dying, thus making it easy for him to j.
init his confederates at the right hour. IL
An hour later Will Cook made his ap- Il
1tanpn and racairnd | m