The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-06
THE EVENING STORY
A Simple Poor White Girl.

ION Sltcoxs moonSn1neT. was IN a |
trap He had ben caught in what out |
west hey would call a canyon. |
Through it a mountain torrent had |
worn it's way deep in the rocks and |
boiled and dubbed unseen by human |
eye, shaded as it was by an impenetra-
bic growth of trees and brush. This
stream was Toms only outlet He
might trust himself to it and if he
came safely through the dangers OF
cataract and hunrgy animals would
emerge in 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 puzzled. He knew where Stlcox
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 a desperate man. One
or two lives were likely to be the price
CT the capture. He was meditating as
to what he would do when a girl
typical of the country approached him.
She wore a cheap calico dress, a check
sunbonnet and cowhide shoes.
Reckon you uns air lookin' for Tom
S1lcox?'' she said.
What do you know about Silcox?''
replied the officer evasively.
Reckon I'd ought to know somepin
about him. SEEM the way he's treated
me-"
He. How has he treated your"
SHOOK me-"
81 see. He's a mean dog, not worthy
y
you'd wish to get even with him.
$50 1 would if 1 knowed how"
A crafty expression came over the
mans face. "Why not turn him over
to us revenue officers ?" he asked.
How could I do that?'.
You might pretend you would help
him out and give US a chance at him.
The girls face lighted with an ex-
preston of vengeful hunger, but she
did not reply.
81 wouldn't mind giving a 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 in 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.
Its a bargain
Toms hidin' in an ole cabin. I'll
go thar with you uns. but must have
He's got somepir O. mine I want to
git s soon s I settle that I'll tell
him you uns is comm up the crick
and he'd better make tracks up.
might say 1 got a critter for him up
thar
"splendid! When shall we go?'
"Now's good time as any
Sykes called in his men and gave
the girl to the edge of clearing,wher
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 hiding place. If
attacked he could easily drop down in
to it and 1t would be hard to get him.
Above the cabin the ground. though
comparatively open, was hidden mere
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 it
would probably prevent him from TAX
ing to the creek. If the officer had any
suspicion as to the girls real intentions
they were now dispelled. Indeed, he
had suggested the revenge himself Be
Sides she was too simple to concoct any
plan for an escape. Was she not lead
ing them to Sileox's hiding place?
When they arrived on the ground she
said to Sykes:
ID v want to take him alive or take
him dead?
sAIive if we cam
Then you uns better go up the crick
a spell whar there's an openin' he'll
have to go OUT
Sykes ordered the two men to do as
she suggested. When they had gone
she said to him: IS soon's I've had my
talk. Tom'n go up, as I said. You uns
kin shoot him if y like: 1 don't keer
This was said with tremor IN ner
voice. as though in her heart she DID
care. RECKON q O0Il0T QIOp OO"h OC7
hind the bank O. the crick to git outen
the way O. the bullets. Goodby. I'm
off,
Sykes waited the result of the ma
neuver for about five minutes, when he
saw tn efigure of man in "butternut
swiftly making his way up the creek
He could have easily shot the moon
sinner. but he relied implicitly on MS
failing into the trap above. He saw the
calico dress and check sunbonnet d1sap-
near behind the bank, but he was in
tent on the person who had gone the
other way. He followed the butter
nut" keeping him in sight so far as
was possible, till he saw his men take
him in without a shot. Then he breath
ed a sigh of relief.
JJncocking his rife, Sykes walked lels-
urely toward the others AS he ap-
nroached 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 careleSsness.
"Mfnd your prisoneri'' he shouted
"It's the girl replied one of the men
lugubriously.
cd clothes behind the rock. The girl
rad gone up the creek, while Tom had
dropped behind the bank. Making MS
1Tav down q short distance he had
mounted a horse she had provided and
was following a trail that was sure to
II, to cot q