The wageworker., 1910-05-13
He Didn Fit
By OSCAR cox
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

boy Billy showed predictions for q
wild life and when he WAS fifteen ran
away from home. He was gone sew
eraI years before he was heard from
and then wrote his father that he was
in New Mexico earning a living as
cowboy.
This was something of relief-both
the bearing from him and his assur-
anre that he was at least earning an
honest living. His father had dreaded
lest he had been hanged and his moth
er lest he 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 man to go 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.
b "Oh. Billy" cried his mother how
could you leave us all this while with
out word?"
"Reckon I've got live wire in me
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 to
school"
II was all right for schooling when
l ran away"
Hes got something better than ad-
vanced educatiou-splendid 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.
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 in New Mexico. Accosting
him. he said:
Hello, Pete! When did you get
out?"
The man looked at Billy sharply.
"When did you get out?' be asked.
"Oh. IL" 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 tine 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?"
Sure" replied Billy. Pm going to
try one myself tonight. I'll take you
III for half the plunder. ! know all
about the people. | got a room there
myself. What l want is some feller
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 a bite since yester-
day"
VERY well. You come to No. 368
Center street tonight. Fine house,
rich people. You'll find the front door
unlocked. Strike it about l in the
morning. Have cart two doors away
to carry the silver"
And so 1t was arranged. That night
Billy sat up reading till after IL
o'clock. then switched off the electric
light and waited. He had left the
front door unlatched for Pete and felt
no doubt that he would turn up. Sure
enough. few minutes after the clocks
had struck ! Billy heard steps below.
Going down softly. he heard move
ment in the dining room and saw the
lnv c,td d0-
board. Then he saw Pete pull out q
dra wer where be doubtless expected to
find silver.
Billy switched on the light for the
whole floor. Pete turned toward him
and saw his pal covering him with q
revolver.
whats it meanY' asked Pete.
aghast
1T means that I've got you where
you once thought you had me. Do
you remember the kid you tried to
swear away for Il horse thief? I'm that
boy five years older. I'm glad of a
chance to get even. Put your revolver
on the table. That's all right. Any
more! Got wagon outside? Glad
you brought it. Walk out and We'll
take Il drive to the police station"
Billy landed his man and went home
and to bed.
The next morning he was awakened
by scream below. Running down
stairs he found his mother. who had
gone early to wake the servant. look
ing with horror at Pete's revolver ly-
Ing on 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 locked at the revolver he had
forgotten to remove the night before
and cursed himself for fool. He
knew that his mother would never
sleep serenely again il he didn't ex-