The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-05-11
He Didn't Fit
BY OSCAR cox
Copyright, 1870 BY American Press
Association.
BY oscAR Cox


to do merchant in the east. When a
hoy Billy showed predictions for
Wild life and when be was fifteen ran
away from home. he was gone sew
eral years before he was beard from
and then wrote his father that he was
IN New Mexico earning a living as
cowboy.
| This was something OF a telief-both
the hearing from bin and bis assur
ance that be was at least earning an
honest living. His father had dreaded
lest he had been hanged ana his moth
er lest be had slept out on damp
ground and caught bis death OF cold
His father secured correspondent in
the region where Billy punched cows
and paid o man to so over and see
what kind of record the boy had be-
hind him. The reply was favorable.
aud Billy was invited to come home
on o visit. He accepted.
"Oh. Billy" cried bis mother. how
could you leave us all this while with
out a word2"
-Reckon I've got live wire in me
somewhere, mummy"
"Oh. he's all right" said the father.
''1ime enough yet to polish him up.
How old are you. BillT
Twenty"
"But you don't know anything" sigh
ed the mother You've not been to
school,"
Il was all right for schooling when
| ran away"
He's got something better than ad.
vanced education-splendid health"
said the father.
Mr.. Burton tried to induce his son to
leave his business and take his place.
but Billy said that be would wreck the
concern. His father insisted. and his
mother begged So Billy agreed to try,
He started in, but he 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 in
Jail out 10 New Mexico Accosting
him, be said:
Hello. Petei When did you set
outy'
The man looked at Billy sharply.
when did you get out?' be asked.
"Oh. III" 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. seein' 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 whisper.
"I'm lookin' for a crib to crack. Can
you put me on to one dead easy?"
"surer' replied Billy. I'm goiug to
try one myself tonight. I'll take you
in for half the plunder. know all
about the people. | got a room there
myself. what want is some feller
for me TO let in and carry OF the
swag. Are you with me2"
.You bet. Pm awful down at the
heel. Haven't had bite since yester-
day"
VERY wen. You come to No. 36S
Center street tonight Fine house.
rich people. You'll find the front door
unlocked. Strike it about in the
morning. Have a cart two doors away
to carry the silver"
And so it was arranged. That night
Billy sat up reading till after II
O'Clock, then switched off the electric
light and waited. He had left the
front door unlatched for Pete and felt
no doubt that be would turn up Sure
enough. a few minutes after the clocks
had struck Billy heard steps below.
Going down softly, be heard move
meut in the dining room and saw the
fash of a dark lantern on the side.
board. Then be saw Pete pull out a
drawer where be doubtless expected to
Gnd silver
Billy switched on the light for the
whole floor Pete turned toward him
and saw bis pal covering him with
revolver
What's il meany' asked Pete.
sghast
ut means that I've got you where
you once thought you had me. DO
you remember the kid you tried to
swear away for horse thief? I'm that
boy five years older I'm glad Of
change to get even. Put your revolver
on the table That's all right Any
more? Got a wagon outsides Glad
you brought it. Walk out aud wen
take drive to the police station"
Billy landed bis man and went home
and to bed
The next morning be was awakened
by scream below Running down
stairs. be found bis mother. who had
gone early to wake the servant look
ing with horror at Pete's revolver w.
ing Oh the dining table
"Oh. my boy" she cried. "the house
has been robbed! Look what they left.
It's wonder we haven't all been
murdered"
Billy looked at The revolver he had
forgotten to remove the night before
and cursed himself FOR a fool He
knew that bis mother would never
sleep serenely again If he didn't ex-
plain. SO he confessed bis part 10
sbe transaction.