The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-08-25
A Simple Poor
HVbife Girl
[Original.]

dubbed unseen by human eye, shaded
as it was by an impenetrable 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
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 lhen, 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 a 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 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
SilcoxY' 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. He's a mean dog, not worthy
OF nice girl like you. | should think
you'd wish to get even with him."
$50 | would if l knowed how"
A crafty expression came over the
mans face "Why not turn him over to
us revenue officers?" he asked.
"How could l do thatY'
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.
II 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.
II 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
a leettIe time with him outen sight
He's got somepin O mine want to
git. S soon s | settle that I'll tell
him you uns is comin' up the crick
and he'd better make tracks up.
might say ] got a critter for him up
thar"
Splendid! When shall we go?'
"Now's 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 clearing, where
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
reason Silcox had selected it for a
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 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 in
tentions they were now dispelled. In
hn no hn
himself. Besides, she was too simple
to coRcoct 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:
hira dead?',- ---x.e~
Alive if we can
"Then you uns better go up the crick
u 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
ray talk, Tom'll go up, as I said. You
Ems kin shoot him if " like; don't
Feer." This was said with q trelnor in
her voice, as though in her heart she
did care Reckon I'd better drop
down behind the bank O. the crick to
git outen the way O the bullets. Good
by. I'm off,
Sykes waited the result of the ma
neuver for about five minutes, when
he saw the figure of a man in "bu1ter-
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 sigh of relief.
Unlocking his rife, Sykes walked
leisurely toward the others. AS he
approached them they came to meet
him leaving tho prisoner IInp,1ardad