Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-04-30
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BY HORAT10 ALGER, JR.

the night in that mans house." said our
hero. He tried to rob me, but l locked
him in the closet, and jumped out of the
window and escaped. This morning he
got on my track, and would have caught
me if it hadn't been for that ditch"
You locked him in the cIoset" repeat
Ell the other. How were you able to do
| that? You are only a boy, while he is a
strong man."
Walter explained the matter briefly.
That was pretty smart" said Peter
itoicomb, for this was the name of the
man who questioned him. You're able
to take care of yourself"
Il don't know how it would have turn
ed out if you hadn't come up"
Il happened to be at home when my
boy came and told me that Jack Man
gam had offered him fifty cents for some
breakfast. He told me about you also,
and, as 1 suspected Jack was up to some
of his tricks. | came along"
Il am very much obliged to you" said
| Walter, land l cope you'll let me pay
you for your trouble"
Il don't want any pay, but you may
pay my boy what you promised him, if
| you want to-
| Il certainly will; and l never paid
away money with more pleasure. As l
haven't had anything to eat since yester-
day afternoon, L should like to have you
direct me to the nearest place where 1
can get some breakfast"
Come to my house; | guess my wife
can scare up some breakfast for you.
She'll be glad to see the boy that got
the better of Jack Mangum."
| How long has this Jack Mangum
lived about here?' asked Walter, after
accepting with thanks the offer of a
breakfast.
About five years. He's been in the
county Jail twice during that time, and
there's a warrant out for him now. He's
a confirmed thief. He'd rather steal any
time than earn all honest living
| While this conversation was going on,
| they had been walking toward the farm
house in which Peter Holcomb lived. 1t
was an humble one-story building, with
an attic above. On one side of it were
broad fields, some under cultivation; and
there was an appearance of thrift and
comfort despite the smallness of the
house.
Come ill.," said Peter, leading the way.
man, who had accompanied him, you
1 be out directly
Walter followed him into a broad, low
room-the kitchen-in which Mrs. Hol-
comb. a pleasant looking woman, was en-
gagged in cooking.
Mary" said her husband, cant you
scare up some breakfast for this young
man? He stopped at Jack Mangum's last
night. and didn't like his accommodations
well enough to stay to breakfast"
"You don't say so" repeated Mrs Hol-
comb, her countenance expressing curios-
ity. That's about the last place I'd
want to stop at"
She went to the pantry, and speedily
reappeared with some cold meat, a loaf
of bread, and some fresh butter, which
she placed on the table.
1T looks nice" said Walter land I
don't know when | have been so hum
cry"
At that moment the farmers boy, who
had served as Walters messenger, came
into the kitchen.
"You got away" he said, smiling.
"Yes, thanks to you,' said Walter.
Here is what l promised you"
Il don't know as l ought to take it,
said the boy, hesitating, though he evil
IDENTIFY wanted it.
You will do me favor by accepting
it," said Walter. You got me out of a
bad scrape. Besides, you had a chance
to earn some money from Jack Mangum."
Il wouldn't have done anything for
him. at any rate. He's a thief"
Finally Peter, for he was named for
his father, accepted the dollar, and, sit
ting down by Walter, asked him about his
adventure in the wood, listening with
great interest to the details.
. 81 wouldn't have dared to do as you
did," he said.
Perhaps you would if you had been
obliged to-"
The farmer absolutely refused to &C
cept pay for breakfast, though Walter
urged it. 1t was contrary to his ideas
of hospitality.
I'VE don't keep a tavern" he said
land WE never shall miss the little you
; ate. Come again and see us if you come
back this way"
Thank you," said Walter, 81 will &C
cept your invitation with pleasure, but I
shall not feel like calling on Mr. Man
, gum
Walter thought he had seen the last of
Jack Mangum; but he was mistaken.
: Three days later, while walking in the
main street of Riverton, with a book I'M
der his arm, for he had received a fresh
supply from the agent at Cleveland, he
heard the sound of wheels. Looking up,
: he saw a wagon approaching, containing
two men. One of them, as he afterwards
learned, was the sheriff The other he
Immediately recognized as Jack Mangum
, There was no mistaking his sinister face
and forbidding scowl. He had been tax
en- early that morning by the sheriff, who,
with a couple of men to assist him, had
visited the cabin in the forest. and, de-
spite the resistance offered by Jack, who
, was aided by his wife, he had been
: bound, and was now being conveyed to
Jail. He also looked up and recognized
Walter. His face became even more sim
. lister, as he shook his fist at our hero.
: II VOW III be even with you some
day !" he exclaimed.
: Not if | can help it." thought Wal
: ter. but he did not answer in words.
He was rather gratifed to hear the next
= day that Jack had been sentenced TO six
;, months Imprisonment. He felt some
pity, however. for Meg. who might have
, been a good woman if she had been mar
= ried to a different man.
: (To be contiuued.)