Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-31
A Hunting Party

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M TIER fathers death mother e and
IAA l lived alone together. 1t was
SS pretty hard for mother, with no
man in the house, and l was only a
girl of 16. We did all the homework
ourselves, which wasn't much, and as
much of the farm work as we were
able to do.
Mother never kept any money In
bank. In the first place. there was no
bank nearer than ten miles, and, in the
second. she wouldn't have known how
TO keep a bank account.
One day, one Of our horses having
died, mother went to town to buy an
other. At the time one farm hand was
at work for us, man we had engaged
n few DAYS before Mother had been
gone but about half an hour when he
came into the house and told me she
had asked him to keep sharp look
out for me- as l was only girl. alone,
and without protection. He was SO
kindly spoken that at first | believed
him. This emboldened him to say that
there were tramps lurking about and
would do we'll to put any money
there might be in the house in a safe
place. Then l began to suspect that
no said this to find out whether there
was any money in the house, so l told
him that all the money had been paid
ont except what mother had taken viii
her to pay for the horse she intended
~ huy. Then he threw off all pre-
tense and ransacked the house. Not
finding what he was after, he came
into the kitchen. where I was washing
dishes, and. taking up n knife. threat
ened to kill me if l didn't tell where
the money was kept.
Our sex are always dreading such
trials as I was passing through, but
when they come we surprise ourselves
nv standing up under them with unex-
nected GOODNESS. l couldn't see how 1t
WAS his interest to kill me, since the
secret (for him) would die with me.
I kept my mind bent on the problem of
how to outwit him, but to outwit a
man In n farmhouse, with no telegrap i
or telephone or any one within calling
distance. is not an easy matter, and |
made no Roadway.
The only thing / could do was to tell
him that there wasn't any money In
the house. or, If there was, that |
didn't know where it was kept I rec
commended him to look in different
places. the cellar, the cupboard and tht
upstairs closets. He ransacked every
place | suggested. but found nothing.
He was not likely to find the place
where the money was hidden. Our
house was very old and had been built
with an old fashioned big fireplace in
the kitchen. Up the chimney, which
was large enough to admit a human
body. mother had taken out brick
and broken off half of it. This lef
room for any money she had behind
the brick. When it was put back in its
place it looked like the other bricks.
Well, at last the man grew so fierce
that l was afraid he might murder
me, and l told him where the money
was. He at once stood in the chin
ney and began to hunt. l told him tn,
money was higher, and he pulled tn,
kitchen table on to the hearth In hi.
search he supported himself by brac
ing his knees and back. | showed tn,
table farther in. so that it covered tn,
mouth of the chimney. Then for tn,
first time it occurred to me that l hat
him in a trap. There was heavy
cupboard in the kitchen. and 1 move,
it against the table. Just then l heart
an exclamation of delight and knew h,
had found the money.
His next move was to order me +
take away the table. but 1 had anothe
matter to attend to. Knowing tina
when he found he couldn't come dow
he would go up, ran to mothers bed
room, where since fathers death sh
had kept his ride. loaded. standing 4