The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-01-23

VN yHAT next: That was the
NM/ laconic question Jules
v " Strong mentally asked him.
s. self as he lett college with
his diploma and meagre supply Of
money. He slowly wended his way to
the railway station and bought ticket
for the West, intending, as he conf
dentially Informed few of his most
intimate friends, to 60 where he could
soon hope to become protagonist and
not be slave to someone who merely
directed momentous affairs. 1t was
q far cry to the West, but Strong was
determined to make it. When his
money was exhausted, he "beat" his
way the remainder of the distance.
Here is where fate shattered his beau
tifully constructed air castles. sHis
ambition was to become rising attor-
ney. He even saw himself elected
county attorney, state. senator, and
chen United States senator-possibly,
governor of his state. But, alas! his
hopes, his whole panoramic triumphal
tour received a shock that almost de-
stroyed the whole structure, and all
because of his penchant of butting in
on other peoples business.
While nearing the town of D.,
toward the close of one hot summer
day, he observed several st:awstacks q
short distance ahead, and he immedi-
ately decided to rest there for the night.
The stacks were situated short dis
.tance back from the road; and, ,fas the
farmers houee was near the roadside,
he thought he would be safe from mol
estation during the night. It was rap
Idly growing dark as he approached
the straw. When he arrived close
TO the nearest of them he stopped sud-
denly, for the sound of voices reached
dis ears. He crept closer in order to
ascertain who they we're. 1t would
have been we'll il he had hastily retired
and left the two men slone, but the
few words he hesrdsaroused his curios-
ity; and. as he continued to butt in, he
learned that they contemplated rob-
berry, that the quiet, pastoral farm
house at the roadside was to be pill
tagged. AS he listened to the foul plot
being concocted, his soul rebelled at
the contemplated deed of the two VIII
iains who sat OF the other side of the
strawstack coohy planning their ne
farious work. As they argued their
plane, Strong determined to foil their
scheme if ne could possibly do 30.
As thetwo strangers walked silently
to the house about midnight, all was
still Nothing bat the hoot ut an owl
from the distant copse broke the death.
like Quietness. After they had pro-
ceeded some distance, Strong followed
in their wake. He would have at.
tackled them at once, but he was un-
armed. The strangers carried weap.
ons, for he had seen them examining
them. When they got to the house it
did not take them very long to gain an
antranpe. Strong went from window
70 window until he found one from
which he could view the robbers, fol-
they had Immediately proceeded to the
bedroom. The noise made in opening
the door awakened Mr.. Armstrong
also his wife; they were the sole occu.
pants of the house. He was well-to.
do farmer, and his gray hair testified
chat he had reached three-score OF
more years. He was highly respected
in the countryside and was liked 10y all
When the larger of the two men stuck
his gun close to Mr.. Armstrong's head
and demanded his money. he was
speechless and could utter no sound.
"C6me, where is the dough?" bru
tally demanded the uncouth scoundrel
Being threatened second time the
kindly old man rubbed Els eyes vigor
ously, believing that what he saw and
heard was all nightmare.
ssSpeak quick; this is no comedy
" here is the dough?"
"It is in the bank" TREMENDOUSLY re
piled Mr.. Armstrong.
"What's that?" fiercely shouted the
r0bber.
~It is in the bank, sir"
"You Ne. You old rascal; il you DOM