The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-30

forget me an the bunch. but II you don't,
hang on tight TO what old Whitley did for
You an told you. I'm goin' back to the
Horn. an you better take the next train in
to Chi"
They returned to tho watering tank.
where the locker found freight going
west; few minutes later the ex-Prushun
boarded q cattle train bound for Chicago.
CHAPTER II.
Three weeks after the emancipation Of
THE Bank" and the parting from his Jock
er the town Of -, in Southern Illinois,
became very much excited one night over
the disappearance Of one Of the young boys
Of the place. His father was q wealthy and
prominent citizen, and the loss Of the child
aroused the entire community. The Lad had
been known to wander away from homo on
previous occasions. and his truancy had
caused his parents not little anxiety, but
never before had he chosen the night time
for his runaway escapades. and his father
was Of the belief that he had not gone OF
on his own initiative. Many OF the towns
people also fell in with this notion when
three days later he failed to put in an ap-
pearance. His absence heretofore had new
er extended beyond twenty-four hours
duration. when he would return hungry and
penitent.
The police were drawn into the case and
q diligent search for the missing boy was
begun. The authorities in adjacent towns
and villages were notified and description
OF the boy was sent even to distant cities.
handsome reward for his safe return was
also offered. and the newspapers advertised
the fact far and wide.
Days went by, however. and no trace Of
the lost child was discovered. False ru.
mors that he had been located were contin.
ually being received, and even the detective
agency employed by the father believed for
several days that It had succeeded IN nm.
travelling the mystery. but nothing definite
came to light.
The parents finally became convinced that
II was kidnapping affair and raised thu
amount OF the reward. but there were 9TH
ers, among them the local Chief OF Polica.
who were not Of the opinion.
why don't we receive some letter, from
the kidnapers?' the Chief remarked IN the
barber shop one day, 'Tf IT'S them that
took him? Kidnapers let people know pref
~ quickly what they want, and we haven't
had SO much az a postal card from anybody
OF that sort. My opinion Is that the young
the river was dragged. to hear that his
body ives at the bottom Of It. That's the
way most OF the kidnapings snd-I don't
believe in EN-"
But what chance have you Of finding
body In q river like the Mississippi unless
It happens to hoat.' . newspaper reporter
asked. while the barber stroppsd his razor.
You might drag from here to New Or
leans and never ind what you wanted"
well. ] Amt sayin' that he 10 IA the
rivsr for sure" the Chief explained. 'but
I'm willing to bet . ten-dollAr note even
that II he's ever found. and'll tell the truth.
Wen see that he wasn't stolen. His ia
TIERS richs all right enough, but tell you
kidnaperS ein't 20 numerous a. you think.
ana there's . lot Of richer men to touch up.
besides. don't believe the SQUIRE II worth
over hundred thousand at the outside"
But he'd probably spend every cent Of
1t to get that kid back. Just the same" the
reporter retorted. Hes one Of the kind
that would do that, and II he held back at
all his wife would urge him on. They think
moro Of that hid than they do Of anything
else
''well. why in the devil didn't they watch
out for, him. Them" the Chief pursued.
I've had to Teprimand him time and again
for jumping on freights, and It's a wonder
70 ms that he wasn't killed long since"
Tho trouble with you is. Chief. that you
amt got any Kids O. your own" the Justice
Of the Peace broke in. IT It was your boy
instead Of the Squire's. you'd be the last
one to say that he was dead until you'd
= ] j. u T.