Morris tribune., 1904-05-21
that we're not properly a part Of the

Unpacklng Dox or Two OF drus
stock, and placing the bottles il
their usual scientific order upon tn
shelves Endicott was becoming alb
sorbed in familiar professional work
when the fading twilight sdmonishee
him that even June nights had al
existence, tho short.
He closed end fastened both doc
and shutters, trusting for ventilation
to the openir 6 in the roof where tn
short brick chimney fue had beer
taken away ON account of the re
moval of the building,
His grip sack containing little o.
value except to hims IF he placed in
the rear room. The old iron safe
might contain considerable value t.
unscrupulous men in fraudulently
obtained bonds, but nonsense, Hen
bricks was probably right, no one
would ever suspect that those much
sought after documents were locked
up in the dismantled drug store.
Mildly matchmaking himself
that he had pot after all purchased
what he had been brought up to
think was usually superfuous
article. ''gun" as Hendricks had
styled revolver, Endicott got under
| the blanket in the rear room. The
BLANKET seemed comfortable in the
moderate GOODNESS of summer night
on western prairie.
Endicott was young and healthful.
His last remembered thought was
was that he was very tired and was
in restful condition.
His pext thought, it was probably
some hours later was that something
or somebody was producing a jerk
ing rasping noise not far away from
his head.
Evidently a hole had been bored
through the back door and key
hole saw was being worked thru
the wood.
Alert at once, he thought quickly,
what had he to defend himself with?
The old pinchers seemed to be the
nearest approach to a weapon, and,
yes, (every man to his trade) those
bottles Of acid which he had been
placing upon the shelves in drug
gist's regular order of arrangement.
Feeling his way to the front of the
store he obtained the huge pinchers.
At a second trip he brought bottle
of sulphuric acid.
By this time the hole had been cut
nearly round, Endicott could hear
the murmer Of voices outside, but
could not distinguish words. The
plan Of the maranders evidently was
to reach in hand at the opening,
and unoolt the door.
The re1r of the store was away |
from the station and hotel, and every
thing thus far had been managed |
rather quietly.
Endicott placed his bottle of acid
and the huge pinchers upon the safe
which stood beside the door, and
awaited Developments He was
'esolved to see whether he had any
If the commodity M Hendricks
'aIled sand"
In moment the round piece of j,
awed board was pushed into the
DOM, and light from a dark lantern 7
treamed IN thru the opening, A
noment later a brawny hand was
hrust in. II
With his bottle of sulphu1ic' acid t
q hand Endfcott lsaned over the safe Is
hat stood between him and the door. to
nd poured a small amount upon d
ae fingers that we're feeling about !
ne bolts Of the door, IA
Instantly the hand was withdrawn, If
nd torrent Of profanity followed, IT.
ocompanied bv stamping and howl ~
'g. In the excited con- Is
srsat'on Of the burglars he could IT.
three voices. kt]
Their opinion seemed to be that in
swing the circle of wood they had fl
roken or tipped over bottle of acid. 81
An investigation with the dark 81
intern was then made, but there II
semed to be no dripping acid.
ndicott was not to be seen as he ha1 q
ropped behind the safe with his (s
and pinchers. "
Soon another hand, evidently of FIJI
a. ~ -