Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-03-26
Our Weekly Short Story
= = Published BY Special Arrangement With the American Pres Association -

March,"
One is at a disadvantage with a hand
oil steel on The collar. just where the
knuckles a grind persuasively into
the neck, and q hickory rod Is being
juggled over ones head. Burroughs
made a desperate effort to wrench him
self free and stumbled helplessly In the
attempt.
Say. look here. he cried. "TIl give
you SO IL you'll let me 60"
"Marchi Left. leftP'
"Twentyr
Sonny. II you insult my old friend.
Hiram Hicks. again I'll break your In
fernal noddle into small. dry chips.
Left, leftr'
Burroughs set his teeth and marched
with as good grace as possible. He had
caught the word captain" 1t must be
Captain Hilbert whose trout he had un.
Willingly poached. He wondered with
sudden horror whether the lank. Incor.
ruptible Nemesis at his heels would
haul him before the captain and brand
him a criminal In the presence of Miss
Hilbert.
They had passed through a grove OF
oaks and walnuts. An old fashioned
colonial mansion showed beyond an ap-
pie orchard. but be was turned away
from II and taken to an old corncrib
which stood between the orchard and
the huge white burn. IL was empty
and nearly sitting. The double doors
were ponderous and were barred from
the OUTSIDE.
Il reckon you'll be tolerable easy here
till the captain gets home" said HiraE
cheerfully. I'll bring you some water
and be handy In case OF emergency"
NOW. see here" began Burroughs
sternly. "Once for all. I had no idea
Of stealing your devilish trout. | am q
guest Of Mr.. Merrill Of The Pines
That's all right. sopry." interrupted
Hiram socthingly. "You lie down there
In the corner and take a nap on 1t while
you're waiting. ! don't doubt your In
tentions one bit now. but you were
stealing trout. and | ketched you In the
act. and the captain seq. Hiram. II you
ketch the scamp thet's stealth my trout
you keep him. and I'm going to hang
on TO you"
The hours crept by. Burroughs
walked back and forth In his prison
He wondered II they would send a
search party after him. Hiram brought
fresh water to him several times and
chatted pleasa ntly through the broad
cracks Of the crib where the sunlight
altered through In broad rays of golden
notes. But the hickory club vas in
readiness for possible mutiny. and Bur
ronghs knew his was hopeless.
When twilight came and he lay down
from sheer WEAKNESS OF walking HI
ram called ont that the fireworks down
ut his friends place were right pretty.
and he thought grimiy that no n was
worrying on his account after all.
About 0 O'Clock carriage wheels
sounded on the drive. and after awhile
Hiram opened the doors cautiously.
Hes right In here. captain" be said.
with a chuckle. II ketched him yank-
Ing out a dandy"
Come out. sir" called Captain Hill
bert heartily. Come out. you scampiv
Burroughs walked out angry ami In
dignant. yet half amused as he saw
CONSERVATION In the captains eyes. He
explained his identity briefly. and HI
ram sat down on the chopping block
and whistled as the two linked arms
and strolled TO the house.
The blue eyes of Bess Hilbert twin
kled with merriment when she heard
the story OF the capture owe a late
supper. but they also seconded her ia
theirs invitation to spend a week or
more with them as atonement for his
celebration OF the Fourth.
'The trout fishing is very good here.
Mr.. Burroughs" she added demurely.
Il enjoy 1t myself"
"And he's a mighty slick fisherman.
tibet boy" Hiram said three weeks lat
er as he sat on the shelving rock owe
the trout brook and watched two fig
ures farther down the hillside under
the willows. He certainly does land
some beauties"
Under the willows Bess laughed hap
PLY. 43]tjA
you'll be my prisoner for life now.
Stanley" she said teasingly.
"In the glorious cause Of freedom"
answered Burroughs. kissing her as
Hiram kindly turned his back. "I1l
surrender to the captain tonight, sweet