St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-03-19
BY Charles B. Lewis.

not at all pleasant as he said:
"Now, you cub, don't sit there like
fool, but stir around and put on suppe
| for me! Dye imagine l amt hungr,
| after an all-day's tramp through rail
and mud?"
There's only milk to be had," I said
| from the far side of the table.
Il must have better than that
he growled. "You have meat ant
'taters and -four in the house, and nj
doubt you can cook. Away with We ane
git up good meal!"
Yes, we had meat and potatoes ant
flour, and there VAS also coffee in tn,
canister. There was no fire in the
stove. but kindled one and went te
cooking. I could have rushed acros.
the room and out of the door at any
moment, but strangely enough the ides
never came to me. 1t would have beer
the plan of a bright boy to make q
bolt for it, get the money from under
the rose bush and skip to the village
for police assistance, but things had
come upon me 81 suddenly and Sc
gueerly that moved about as one in
q dream. The ruffian who had been
assaulted soon recovered consciousness
and when he discovered what had hap
pened he was more than furious. While
the two had no acquaintance, they GER
tainly belonged to the same ilk. This
was made plain by the words of the
last arrival when he said:
Its no use kicking, old man, I've
been intending to visit this crib for
many months past, but I never got
around to it till now. Now when !
gifts here and finds a bloke in posses
sion and about to lay hands on the
Doodle. why my plan is to prevent
him if can. and / think have. When
I has the cash in my pocket and an
hours start the cub here can cast you
loose"
In the course of half an hour had
supper on the table for the man, and
he sat down and ate with tremendous
appetite. As he ate the other cursed
and threatened, but neither addressed
q word to me. Not a scrap Of food was
left on the table as the man showed
back, bit piece off plug of tobacco,
and then turned to me to say:
boy, there's money in this crib,
and I'm here to git 1t. Bring it out at
once"
"Uncle Tom took every shilling with
him." replied as stood before him.
"Eh? Eth? So Uncle Tom left no
behind? Maybe he didn't, but
I'm going to have try for it. The
stove is good and hot. and after you
have taken a seat on it two or three
times perhaps you'll remember that
Uncle Tom left snug bit of money
behind."
Take off these cords and let's make
a fair divy of it," coaxingly suggested
the fellow on the floor. II know how
to get at the boy and the money. He
was going to give it up when you
jumped in to play a dirty trick on a
square man."
will YOU hand me over the box!"
demanded Number Two, paying no at
.ention to the others words.
"There is no box in the house"
boy, I'll burn you aliye!" he Missed
at me across the table. Don't lie to
me. cause know yer lynn. Tn here
For the box, and I'd have it if had to do
Tor half dozen fools like you. Will
-ou bring it out?"
was about to offer to go down eel
ar and unearth the dish had planted
n place of the box when the kitchen
loor opened for the third time. The
nan at the table had his back to 1t,
While / saw first hand grasping a
short iron bar. Then came the arm
he body-the head and feet of man,
ind the arm reached out and deliv-
red blow which sickened me as it |
ell upon the bare head of the man at |
he table. Over he went with a crash,
nd l saw before me man even more |
ough in dress and tougher in general
ooks than the two who had preceded |
i'm.
They shouldn't have done it," he
aid, as he shut the door behind him /
nd looked about the room. "This was
ny job, and if two such blokes as these
ries to cut me out they must take what |
gives 'em. I'll tie this one up as
match for the other"
There was plenty OF cord left for this
urpose, and in two minutes he had nv
.cond caller alongside of the first.
hen he turned to me and ordered me
D prepare him supper. He was by
ar the ugliest of the trio, but when
Two came to his senses and
,ined Number One in cursing and
busing him he only laughed at them.
should have tried to get out of the
ouse after his advent. but he purpose
cut of the only way of retreat. He
ad much to say to the men, giving
lem as good as they sent. but not
ord TO me until he drew up to the
lble. Then he gave me 4 sharp look
Ig over and said:
II never hurts kid unless the kid
ants to be hurted. Then 1 hurts
i'm in way to cripple him fur life.
you uOu WdHt 10 DC HurCeO YOU Will
1t out the old mans money box afore
have done eating"
There is no money box in the house."
replied.
That's so, and I'll swear to it,"
lded the two men on the floor in
lorus.
II begs yer humble parding," con-
nued Number Three as he leered at
e, s.but has to differ with you. It's
ther the money box or takes you in
md and teaches yor to speak the
nth. Come, now, but be lively about
- III
There's 4 dish down cellar with a
tie money in it," said, as he began '
the food. ..but Uncle Tom
is no money box"
Yer needn't say no more!" growled
{ man as he pointed his finger at me.
b about two minutes Til be ready to
tend to your case. If ye gifts cut and !,
lshed and burnt don't blame me fur
Then silence fell upon US all, and :