The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-12


shot in way beyond the power Of
belief.
We also discovered a little later on
that the threads Of the tube seat were
worn. and that occasionally the tube
was blown out. whistling by our head;
with terrific force. and not killing US
although occurring several times-sim
I ply and solely because Of the kind and
, all-wise Providence that especially re
Z CARDS the reckless boy
But what q grand, good, beautiful
gun that old if3n wreck was to us. and
how we loved it, The boy OF to-day
with bis double hammerless that has
never cost him an effort beyond the
: request for it, knows nothing Of real
love for gun.
l think we never killed bigger game
than robin--and few of those, am
thankful TO say-but we believed our
gun fully up to the mark on any kind
Of game, big or small; and as for burg
lars. we only wanted a chance to show
that 1t was-aboye all things-a man
gun. Many hours which should have
been devoted to sleep did we devote
70 planning our campaigns against the
burglar we were al a. S expecting,
often slipping out Of bed and Stun
bling around in the dark TO change the
location of the gun to meet conditions
changed in our discussions.
Our room was on the second floor of
an l., and opened out on a back porch
This porch was inclosed below, but
open and surrounded by a railing
above. Steps led up from the lower to
the upper floor and about midway the
lower floor opened out on to the yard.
The other members Of the family
were absent from home attending an
entertainment one evening, but my
older sister was i'll, and l was left at
home with her for company. Her
room was also up stairs, and next to
the one we boys occupied. Left to our
selves, my sister was lying down. and
| sat looking at pictures before the
open CRATE fire
A suspicious noise finally attracted
my attention, and after listening mo-
ment | slipped quietly out into my
room to investigate. Seeing nothing
there. and the noise continuing, / Sc
cured the gun and went out on to the
back porch. / had opened the door
very carefully, without making
sound. and when out on the porch
could distinctly hear the noise which
sounded as though it was on the lower
porch
Holding my breath in ringled fear
and excitement. / tiptoed to the edge
Of the porch and looked over the rail
ing. The moon was shining brightly,
making objects nearby plainly visible.
Immediately under where stood
was man, and very large one,
thought. Calmly, yet vigorously, ne
was working on the fastening of the
door that opened on to the steps lead
ing up to where l stood, and l at once
realized that our long looked for burg
lar had co lie.
Together with my brother, I had
planned. longed, hoped and looked for
his appearance for days and weeks
past and now that lie had come. and
was so close--I could all but touch the
top of bis hat with the muzzle Of my
gun-I discovered that my feelings had
suddenly undergone a radical change.
Instead If being delighted, l was
truly sorry. Instead Of being calm
and self-possessed. az l had always
felt sure l should be, l was shaking
from head TO foot with abjec. terror:
so great was my fright it positively
made me sick. made a desper: te
effort to cry out. but only choked and
gasped, making 10 sou-d. I tried to
retreat into the house. but my legs
refused to cary me.
With the now forgotten gun in one
hand. and clinging to - banister
with the other. / stood looking down
on the man as be calmly proceeded to
work at the door fastening. which 2 ]
knew to be rone too secure Expl
ing every minute that he would effect
an entrance. I now began earnestly 10
wish that l had left the gun in the
house where IT would not have been 50
convenient TO his hand VIXEN he at
tackled ne.
I could not say how long I stood
thus. but know it seemed a very long
time. The man was using some sort Of
instrument with which he worked at
the fastening Of the door, twisting
and turning it in the lock. stopping
every little while to push and gently
shake the d.oor TO see if his efforts 10
force the lock had been successful.
Utterly unconscious Of my near pres
ence be worked away. while I
watched him in fascinated silence.
Each time be shook and pushed the