The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-05-13
He Didn't Fit
By OSCAR cox
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

Billy Burton was the son of well
10 do merchant in the east When u
boy Billy showed predictions for p
wild life and when he was fifteen ran
away from home. He was gone sev
eral years before he was heard from
and then wrote his father that he was
in New Mexico earning a living as ii
cowboy.
This was something of relief-both
the bearing from him and his assur
ance that be was at least earning an
honest living. His father had dreaded
lest he had been hanged and his moth
er lest be had slept out on damp
ground and caught his death of cold
His father secured a correspondent in
the region where Billy punched COWS
and paid a man 10 so over and see
what kind Of record the boy had be-
hind him. The reply was favorable
and Billy was invited TO come home
on visit. he accepted.
"Oh. Billy" cried his mother. how
could you leave us all this while with
out a word?'
Reckon I've got a live wire in M
somewhere. mummy"
oh. he's all right" said the father
Time enough YET to polish him up
How old are you. Bill?"
Twenty"
But you don't know anything" sigh
ed the mother. You've not been t.
school"
Il was all right for schooling when
l ran away"
He's got something better than al
vanced educatiou-spleDdid health
said the father.
Mr.. Burton tried to induce his son To
leave his business and take his place
but Billy said that he would wreck the
concern. His father insisted, and his
mother begged. So Billy agreed TO try
BE started in. but be didn't enjoy the
work The walls Of the building in
closing him were too narrow for him
One day Billy met a man on the
street that he had supposed was IL
jail out In New Mexico. Accosting
him. he said:
Hello. Petel When did you get
outY
The man looked at Billy sharply
when did you get out?' be asked.
"Oh. II Billy replied. taking notice
that the man had mistaken him for
one OF his prison mates. Il broke Jail
some time ago"
Must "a brought lot o swag with
you. seem the fine clothes you got on
Fine clothes are lying around loose
in this country for those who can
keep out Of jail"
Say" said the man in a whisper,
Pm lookiD' for a crib TO crack. Can
you put ne on TO one dead easy?"
Sure" replied Billy. I'm going 10
try one myself tonight ri take you
in for half the plumber. know all
about the people. got q room there
myself What | want is some Teller
for me to let in and carry of the
swag. Are you with me?"
You bet, I'm awful down at the
heel. Haven't had bite since yester.
day."
Very we'll You come to No. 3Gs
Center street tonight. Fine house.
rich people, You'll find the front door
unlocked. Strike it about in the
Have a cart two doors away
10 carry the silver"
And so II was arranged. That night
Billy sat up reading TIL after u
o'clock. then switched of the electric
light and waited. He had left the
'front.' door Unattached for Pete and felt
10 doubt that be would turn up. Sure
a few minutes after the clocks |
lad struck Billy heard steps below.
Going down softly, be heard a move
nent in the dining room and saw the
lash of a dark lantern On the side.
BOARD. Then be saw Pete pull out a
lrawer where be doubtless expected to
ind silver.
Billy switched on the light for the
whole floor. Pete turned toward him
md saw his pal covering him with a
evolver.
What's it meanT' asked Pete
ghast
1T means that I've got you where
'ou once thought you had me. Do
GU remember the kid you tried 10
wear away for horse thief? I'm tina,
10Y FIVE years older. I'm glad of
hance TO get even. Put your revolver
n the table. That's all right. Any
lore? Got wagon outside: Glad
on brought IT, Walk out and well
axe a drive TO the police station"
Billy landed his man and went home
nd TO bed
The next morning be was awakened
y a scream below. Running down
-airs. he found his mother. who had
one early 70 wake the servant. look
* with horror at Pete's revolver ~
X Oh the dining table
oh my boy she cried. the house
as been robbed. Look what they left
8 a wonder we haven't all been
urdered."
10 I