Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-02-05
A Hunting Party

g FER fathers death mother and
IA\ 1 lived alone together. 1t was
go pretty hard for mother, with no
man in the house, and | was only a
girl of 16. We did all the housework
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 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, q 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 a sharp look
out for me, as 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 well to put any money
there might be in the house in a safe
place. Then l began to suspect that
he said this to find out whether there
was any money in the house, so told
him that all the money had been paid
out except what mother had taken with
her to pay for the horse she intended
70 buy. 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 a knife. threat
ened to kill me if l didn't tell where
the money was kept.
Our sex are always dreading such
trials as | was passing through. but
when they come we surprise ourselves
bv standing up under them with unex-
Dected GOODNESS. l couldn't see how il
was his interest to kill me. since the
secret (for him) would die with me.
kept my mind bent on the problem of
how to outwit him, but to outwit a
man in n farmhouse. with no telegraph
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. thar ,
didn't know where it was kept. l rec
commended him to look in different
places, the cellar. the cupboard ana the
upstairs closets. He ransacked every
place l 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 10 admit human
body. mother had taken cut a brick
ana broken OF half of 1t. THIS left
room for any money she had behind
the brick. When il was put back in its
place ii looked like the other bricks.
Well at last the man grew so fierce
that | 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 the
money was higher, and he pulled the
kitchen table on TO the hearth. In his
search he supported himself by brae
Ing his knees and back. showed the
table farther in. 50 that it covered the
mouth OF the chimney. Then for tn,
first time it occurred To me that hat
him in a trap. There was a heav,
cupboard in the kitchen, and 1 move,
it against the table. just then 1 heard
an exclamation of delight and knew h,
had found the money.
His next move was to order me I,
take away the table. but l had another
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 rise. loaded. standing q