The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-08-14
a Simple Poor
6O bite Girl


Tom Silcox, moonshiner, was IN a
trap. He had been caught 10 what out
west they would call canyon. Througa
1t a mountain torrent had wsrn its
way deep in the rocks and boiled and
dubbed unseen by human eye, shaded
as it was by an impenetrable growth
Of trees and brush. This stream was
Toms only outlet He might trust
himself to it and IL he came safely
through the dangers Of cataract and
hungry animals would emerge Ia an
open space below. But the end of the
route was watched, and the chances
Of escape were few. Sam Sykes, the
leader OF the revenue men, was puz-
zled. He knew where Silcox was and
would have been sure Of him had he
had more men to surround him. But
be had only two assistants, and Silcox
was a desperate man. One OF two lives
were likely to be the price Of the cap
ture. He was meditating as to what
be would do when girl typical Of the
country approached him. She wore
cheap calico dress, check sunbonnet
and cowhide shoes.
Reckon you uns air lookin' for Tom
Silcox ~ she said.
What DO you know about Silcoxf'
replied the officer evasively.
Reckon I'd ought to know somepin
about him. seem the way he's treated
me-
How has he treated your
"Shook me-"
II see. He's mean dog, not worthy
of nice girl like you. should think
you'd wish TO get even with him"
80 | would If knowed how"
A crafty expression came over the
mans face why not turn him over to
us revenue ofIicersy he asked.
How could DO thatf"
You might pretend you would help
hin aut and give us a chance at him.
The girls face lighted with an ex-
pres ion OF vengefui hunger, but she
did rot reply.
Il wouldn't mind giving twenty
dollar lill,n added the officer.
This time ayarice showed plainly on
the face of the poor white girl, who
never had so much money in her life.
Then she began to think. Sykes gave
her plenty Of time.
II kin take you uns to whar Toms
hidin,n she said at last
''It's a bargain"
"Toms hidin' in an ole cabin. I'll
70 thar with you uns, but must have
leettle time with him outen sight.
He's got somepin O mine l want to
git. IS soon q / settle that III tell
him you uns Is comm up the crick
and he'd better make tracks up.
might say got crltter for him up
thar
Splendid! When shall we goT
''Now's good time as any"
Sykes called In his men and gave
them the plan. They were to follow
the girl to the edge Of a clearing, where
they would lie concealed under the
thick brush while she went forward
and laid her snare. On the way she
told sykes something Of the lay OF the
land The cabin was within a few
yards Of the creek, and this was the
reason Silcox had selected 1t for a
hiding place. If attacked he could
easily drop down into 1t and It would
be hard to get him. Above the cabin
the ground, though comparatively open
was hidden here and there by rocks
and scrub trees.
Sykes saw the advantage of her tell
ing the moonshiner that they were
coming up instead of down, since i
would probably prevent him from TAX
ing to the creek. If the officer had
any suspicion as to the girls real In
tentions they we're now dispelled. In
deed, he had suggested the revenge
himself. Besides, she was too simple
to concoct any plan for an escape
Was she not leading them to Silcox'i
hiding placer
When they arrived on the ground sh'
said to Sykes:
% v want to take him alive or tak'
him deadT
aAlive If we can"
eThen you uns better 60 up the cricl
spell whar there's an openln' he'l
have to go out"
Sykes ordered the two men to do al
she suggested. When they had gon'
she said to him: as soon's I've hal
! my talk, Tom'll 60 up, as j said. Yol
ms kin shoot him If v like; don
keer" This was said with tremor Il
her voice, as though in her heart sh
did care. Reckon I'd better drol
down behind the bank O. the crick t
1 cit outen the way o. the bullets. Good
g by. I'm of"
n Sykes waited the result OF the ma
newer for about five minutes, whel
: he saw the figure OF man il butter
nut swiftly making his way up th
! creek. He could have easily shot th
moonshiner, but be relied implicit
4 on his falling into the trap above. II
saw the calico dress and check sur
4 bonnet disappear behind the bank, bu
he was intent on the person who ha
!, gone the other way. lie followed tn
y "butternut,s keeping him in sight s
far as was possible, till he saw hi
men take him in without shot. The
Z he breathed a sigh Of relief
! Unlocking his rife, Sykes wake
y / latu,4rolxr toward %ha nfhprS Az n