The Yale expositor., 1905-08-25
A Simple Poor
GObffe Girl
IOrigina.l

Of trees and brush. This stream was
Toms only outlet. He might trust
himself to It and II no came safely
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 were few. Sam Sykes, the
leader of the revenue men, was puz-
zled He knew where SllcoX was and
would have been sure of him had he
had more men to surround him. But
he had only two assistants, and Sileox
was q desperate man. One or two lives
were likely to be the price of the cap
ture. He was neditating as TO what
he 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 SllcoxT
replied the officer eyaslvely.
Reckon I'd ought TO know somepln
about him, seem the way he's treated
me-"
GLOW has he treated your
"Shook me-"
81 see. He's n mean dog, not worthy
of n nice girl like you. should think
you'd wish to get even with him."
80 would IL knowed how"
A crafty expression came over the
mans face. "Why not turn him over to
us revenue oficers7" 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 in her lifc
Then she began to think. SYKES gave
her plenty of time.
81 kin take YOU ung to whar Toms
hidin'," she said at last.
ITS a bargain"
Toms hldin' in an ole cabin. I'll
go thar with you uns, but must have
u leettle time with him outen sight
Hes got semepln o mine want to
Git. s soon S 1 settle that I'll tel
him you uns IS c6mtH up the crick
and he'd better make tracks up, /
might say I got critter for him up
thar"
Splendid! When shall we go?'
"Now's good time as any,
Sykes called in his men and gave
them the plan. They wVrc to follow
the girl to the edge Of clearing, where
they would lie concealed under tho
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 Il few
yards OF the creek, ana this was. the
reason SilcoX had selected it for q
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
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:
"D' " want 70 take him alive or take
him deadf"
"Alive II we can"
"Then you uns better go up the crfck
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: as soon's I've had
my talk, Tom'll go up, as 1 said. You
uns kin shoot him II v like; I don't
keer." This was said with tremor in
her voice. as though in her heart she
did care. Reckon I'd better drop
uOMu DtUlllI lllt DdllA " lhC CLANR W
git outen the way O the bullets. Good
by. I'm off,"
Sykes waved the result OF the ma
neuver for about eve minutes, when
he saw the figure OF man in butter
nut" swiftly making his way up the
creek. He could have easily shot the
moonshiner. but he relied implicitly
on his falling into the trap above. He
saw the calico dress and check sun
bonnet disappear behind the bank, but
he was intent on the person who had
gone the other way. He followed the
"buttcrnut," keeping him in sight 50
far as was possible, till he saw his
men take him in without a shot. Then
he, breathed a sigh of relief
Unlocking his rifle. Sykes walked
lelsurely 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 carelessness.