Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-06-30
A Fireworks Capture.
Observation-Disclosures
OTo ROUBLE ragged on the irrigation

SOOOOOOUOOC,COVO VOOSOOOOOOOOO
(7o ROUBLE ragged on the irrigation
ditch. The upper gang and the low,
q cr gang were at outs. The former
had lost a horse and the lower gang was
supposed to include lhe Lhief.
at just means fight" exclaimed Mack
to Simpson, as the two members of the
lower gang rode over the plains one sum-
mer night. "There can't be any horse
stealing around these parts and not have
fighting"
mo; and the feeling isn't any too good
already" added the other.
The ponies loped easily, and turning
down the trail went swiftly into the thick
sunfowers of ravine 1t was nearly sun
set and the tall weeds seemed to be al
most like young saplngs Suddenly the
horses stopped; ahead was an unusual
sight, a white-topped prairie schooner.
"A one-horse rig, toO," exclaimed Simp-
son, looking at the thills that were on the
front of the wagon.
"And deserted, too," and Matt drew
nearer to the strange outfit.
'Well, what do you think of man that
will do thisy' He pulled the curtains
aside and showed the sleeping form of
boy perhaps years old. The little fell
low looked peaked and helpless and the
sympathies of both the men were aroused
by the sight
well, he's a rascal" was the reply at
last and the curtain was dropped.
He amt rascal" came from the in
side of the wagon. "My papa is good to
me-"
Hello, there, what are you doing here?"
asked Matt,
Waiting for fireworks; papa has gone
after them. He always gets them for me
on the Fo'ther July"
"What did he say?" asked Matt.
Says his father has gone after fire.
works-a likely story The boys hungry;
that is what is the matter with him."
well, let's feed him. I'll 20 over and
get him something from the camp. And.
say, I'll bring him some fireworks, too.
Id forgot it, but to-day is the Fourth of
July, and the boss has Il lot of rockets and
things ready to fire off All the men are
out hunting for the horse thief and they
have forgotten all about it. | can steal n
few"
Away rode Matt in the gathering dark
ness, and although the pony went very
fast and the man did not stay in camp
more than few moments, the wait seem,
ed long one to the watcher in the rayine
with the boy The child was hungry and
nervous and contidcd to the man that he
had been awful sick" Simpson felt cN-
ceedingly sorry for the little one, and was
more and more indignant at the actions of
the man who had forsaken such prccious
charge.
Here he comes" he said Mt last. when
the rattle Of horses hoofs was heard ON
the prairie sod. Matt came down the ra.
vine and had some difficulty in finding
the wagon hidden in the sunfowers. AT
last he opened the package of food and
laid the fireworks on the grass beside the
boy.
Supper first was the order from
Simpson, and the three atcsthe generous
supply that had been brought
Good thing not to take the kid to tn,
ranch,' said Matt. "The men will have
a rough time there tonight and they
wouldn't spare the boy"
Now for the fun" and away went on,
of the rockets into the darkness, scatter
ing its splcndor over the level plains that
spread from the edge of the ravine. Th,
jack rabbits and the prairie owls saw il
and wondered what it could be.
Somebody else saw it, for away off tC
the south, where its light was visible onl,
as faint glimmer, there was a company
of horsemcn, and they turned their ami
mails in that direction.
"Hark" said Matt, as the fun was al
its height Somebody's coming"
The light of the last rocket had giver
passing view of II man on horseback al
the crest of ravinc. In Il moment tn,
man was near them and he was accompan
led by large number. In the midst o.
the party with his head bound in a larg,
red handkerchief, was seen the figure of ,
man tied ON horse.
1--WE have got the thief said the leader
OF the newcomers.
"Wcll," replied Matt, "what are Vol
bringing him here for?"
1--WE kind of lost our way and w,
thought this was the camp. But we ar,
going to settle with the rascal right here
anyhow. 1t might not be best to tax,
him to the camp, after ALL"
Sure it is the man?"
Bound to be-got the horse"
In the dim light of the little fire of SIN.
flower stalks that somebody had kindlct
the prisoner was brought forth. He pre
scnted Il pitiful appearance and the mer
almost felt sorry for him. Still, the,
knew the unwritten law.