The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-11-09
a Simple Poor
6O bife Girl
toriglnall

way deep In the rocks and boiled and
dubbed unseen by human eye, shaded
as II was by an impenetrable growth
OF trees and brush. This stream was
Toms only outlet lie might trust
himself TO Il and II he came safely
through the dangers OF cataract aud
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. lie 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 a desperate man. One or two lives
were likely to be the price Of the cap
ture lie was meditatlng as 20 what
he would do when girl typical Of the
country approached him. She wore a
cheap calico dress, check sunbonnet
aud cowhide shoes.
Reckon you uns air lookln' for Tom
Sllcoxg' she said.
"What do you know about silcoxr
replied the officer evaslvely.
Reckon ia ought TO know somepin
about him. seem the way he's treated
me-"
"How has he treated your
"ShOok me-"
Il see. He's a mean dog, not worthy
OF nice girl like you. l should think
you'd wish 10 get even with him"
80 would II knowed how"
A crafty expression came over the
mans face. why not turn him over to
US revenue oflicersT be asked.
How could do thatT"
"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.
Il wouldn't mind giving a twenty
dollar bin" added the officer.
This time avarice showed plainly on
the face OF the poor white girl. who
never had 80 much money In her life.
Then she began 10 think. Sykes gave
her plenty Of time.
Il kin take you uns to whar Toms
hIdln'." she said al last
ITS a bargain"
Toms hidin' In an ole cabin. I'll
60 thar with you uns. but must have
ieettle time with him outen sight
He's got somepin o. mine l want to
git s soon 5 settle that I'll tell
him you uns Is comm up the crlck
and he'd better make tracks up. /
might say ! got a crltter for him up
thar"
Splendid When shall We gof'
"NOws good a 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
aud 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 It for a
hiding place II attacked he could
easily drop down into it and Il would
be hard 10 get him. Above the cabin
the ground. though comparatively open,
was hidden here and there by rocks
aud scrub trees.
Sykes saw the advantage OF her tell
ing the moonshlner that they We're
coming up instead % down. since II
would probably prevent him from TAX
ing to the creek IL the ofiicer had
any suspicion as to the girls real In
tenfions they were now dlspelled. 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 10 Silcoxs
hiding placer
When they arrived on the ground she
said 10 Sykes:
"D' y want 20 take him alive or take
him deadT"
"Alive n we can"
''Then you uns better 20 up the crlck
a spell whar there's an openln' he'll
have 60 go out"
Sykes ordered the two men to do as
she suggested. when they had gone
she said 10 him; as soon's I've had
my talk, Iomu go up, as ] SAID. you
uns kin shoot him X y like; l don't
keer." This was said with a tremor In
her voice. as though In her heart she
did care Reckon, I'd better drop
down behind the bank o. the crlck to
git outen the way O. the bullets. Good
by. I'm on"
Sykes waited the result of Ihe ma
neuver for about Ave 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
"butternut." keeping him in sight so
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 20 meet