The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26


 barnyard. no faces at the windows of the house. In fact, no sign of life was any where visible. All was as silent and de- serted as tomb. After knocking in vain on the front door, Billy ran around to the rear of the house, but he met with no response there either. He looked up at the windows and saw they were closely shaded. "Everybody's gone." he said to himself But I'll try the stables before giving up. There may be a man at home" He hurried down to the old frame barn that had an empty cowshed at one end. Trying the closed door, he found 1t was fastened on the inside, for in shaking 1t he could see through a crack the iron hook that was dropped Into staple.
 Billy was on the point of turning away, when he heard a noise just over his hend, and, looking up. he saw thrust out of an open window in the haymow a most hide ous tramp's head, with a grinnlng, dirty face. Wrapped about the neck and shoul- ders belonging to this head was a grey blanket, which Billy recognized as his own.
 Say, kid, what you monkeyin' 'roun' me castle gate fer?" came the inquiry from tobacco stained, be-whlskered mouth.
 And how came you in possession of my blanketr demanded Billy. You took that blanket and its mate and lot of grub from that camp down yonder Now. you return those blankets to me at once. Do you hear?'
 Nope, not n word" came the answer. 'Im deaf an dumb an my lamps air on the bum; ones out O the seeln' biz an tother's out O me platter. Now, fren', as I'm Jest prepnrin' fer an after-dinner see-esta I'll ask you to remove yer freight. But before pullln' in me coco let me com pliment you on the brand O yer coffee. Excellent"
 Then, before Billy could return word, the hideous head was withdrawn from sight and the window closed with bang.
 For n minute Billy stood beneath the window and yelled furiously to the tramp to give up his blankets. Receiving no re- sponse he began to threaten him with the police. ''Il go to town and bring officers and have you arrested" he cried Then he threw rocks against the side of the barn, all to no avail. At last, half-frozen and half-staryed, he gave up the attack on the barn and went to the well near
  bucket that he might carry some water to their camp A printed notice on the we'll curb caught his eye and he stopped to read 1t. "Ah, hal this place to be sold at sherlff's sale." he remarked after reading the notice. Nobody will be likely to come home to this house tonight That's bad-in case of a storm No other habita- ton nearer than town, and that's three miles away"
 When he reached the camp he found Frank dancing about like wild Indian, but no fire was blazing to give him cheer. What you making all that ripplt about?" he asked of Frank.
 "ro keep from freezing to death," that Jumping jack replied. Then, seeing Billy was empty handed. he asked:
 .Dldnt you make the swap?'
 Then Billy told him of his experience at the farmhouse, and Frank sat down on the straw to give full vent to his laugh. ter He doubled up. he held his sides and gave forth one peal after another.
 .Oh. It's nwfuly funny, Isn't It. sneered ioiny iBillyl ito have our blankets and
 So he's deaf and dumb and his lamps are on the bum, repeated Frank, again roaring with mirth.
 Il thought you were going to build 1re,' said Billy, .shlvering.
 ''No matches," answered Frank, get ting up and forcing himself to be calm. That gent of the 'cas tie needed all the contents of the basket. so he took the lucifers."
 And haven't n sign of match either. said Billy In ~.smny, ns he felt of tramp" and he turned towards the, farmhouse, shaking his fist threaten-
 .But he was too enraged to say just what he would do to the individual in the hnyloft could he lay hands on him, for while he was menacing In the direction of the barn the window opened ana an arm waved gally towards the camp
 This set Frank to roaring again, much to Dilly's discomhture.
 Now, old pal, don't take the matter so to henrt," said Frank; we came out for a good time-let's have It."
 T reckon you're right" responded Billy. But the truth Is, Frank, i don t believe being an Indian In this latitude would be so al-fred jolly; Just at. the present moment I'm freezing and starv- ing, What shall we dor"
 ''Take our quails and chickens home." answered Frank. Our cook Is a dandy with birds. We'll eat them together at our house. Phone your mother where you are for the night. She'll be glad to know you're in q bed instead of n wigwam when storm like this Is in progress" the camp was now out of the question, so, picking up their traps and whistlng to Bird. the two hunters turned their noses tOWnfu IOWn.
 "Civillzation ain't so bad, after all" remarked Frank, as the two boys toasted their cold toes in Franks cozy "den," when the smell of cooking quail came to them from the kitchen below.
 .sYes. it's your fine civilization that produces trnmps," dryly replied Billy. But in his heart he was thankful to be under the comfortable shelter, with the appetizing supper in course of prepara- ton.
 The next day. when he entered the sit had seen him from the window, rose, and, making low bow, said: Much Big