Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-08-10
DAILY SHORT STORY
A SIMPLE, POOR WHITE GIRL.


through the dangers Of cataract and
hungry animals would emerge in an
open space below. But the end OF the
route was watched, and the chances
of escape We're 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
he had only two assistants, and SilcOX
was desperate man. One or two lives
were likely to be the price of the cap
ture He was meditating as to what
he would do when girl typical of the
country approached him. She wore
cheap calico dress. Il check sunbonnet
and cowhide shoes.
Reckon you uns air lookin' for Tom
SilcoX?" she said.
What do you know about Silcox?
replied the officer evasively.
Reckon I'd ought 10 know SOmepin
about him, seem the way he's treated
me"
How has he treated your
"Shook me-"
81 see. Hes Il mean dog. not worthy
of a nice girl like you. l should think
you'd wish TO get even with him."
so would if knowed how"
\ crafty expression came over the
mans face. AWhy not turn him over to
us revenue ofFicers?' he asked.
How could do thatT'
You might pretend You would help
him out and give us chance at him"
The girls face lighted with an ex-
preston of vengeful hunger, but she
did not reply.
Il wouldn't mind giving twenty
dollar bill" added the officer.
This time avarice showed plainly on
the face of the poor white girl. who
never had so much money i'll her life.
Then she began TO think. Sykes gave
her plenty of time.
Il kin take you uns to whar Toms
hidin'," she said at last.
IT'S a bargain"
Toms hidin' in an ole cabin. I'll
go thar with you uns, but l must have
Ieettle time with him outen sight
He's got somepin o mine L want to
git S soon : ! settle that I'll tell
him YOU uns Is comm UP the crick
and he'd better make tracks up. L
might say / got "a critter for him w
thar"
Splendid. When shall we gof''
"Now's good Il time as any,
Sykes called in his men and gave
them the plan. They We're 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 ller 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 SiIcOX had selected il for n
hiding place. If attacked he could
easily drop down into it 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 thar they were
coming up instead of down. since it
would probably prevent him from TAX
ing to the creek If the officer had
any suspicion as to the girls real in
tentIOns they were 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's
hiding place?
When they arrived on the ground she
| said to Sykes:
ID v want 10 take him alive or take
him dead?"
Alive if we can"
"Then You uns better go up the crick
! spell whar there's an openin' he'll
have to go out
Sykes ordered the two men to do as
she suggested. VS,cn they had gone
she said to him: - soon's I've had
my talk, Tom'H 20 up. as I said. You
unS kin shoot him if v like; l don't
keer" This was said with 4 tremor in
| her voice. as though in her heart she
did care Reckon I'd better drop
down behind the bank o. the cricll TO
git outen the way o tn bullets. Good
by I'm Off"
Sykes waited The result of the ma
ueuver for about five minutes. when
he saw the figure Of Il man in butter
| mt swiftly making his way M the
| creek. He could have easily shot the
| moonshincr. bat he relied implicitly
on his falling into the trap above. He
saw the calico dress and check sun
| bonnet disappear behind the bank. hut
| he was intent on the pers . who had
| gone the other way. He followed the
''butternut." keeping him in sight So
| far as was possible, till he saw his
men take him I'm without a shot Then
| he hreathed a sigh Of relief
knocking his rife. Sykes walked
| leisurely toward the others As he
approached them they came to meet
him. leaving the prisoner unguarded
He hurried on, recocking his gun to
| cover the mOOnshiner and wondering
what they meant by such careIessness.
Mind your prisoner he shouted.
It's the girl" replied one Of the men
lugubriOusly.