The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1910-02-22
He found note written by the
ne read Il aloud to the man:

lie seemed scarf about it an dragged
1t to the barn as quick as he Good A
littel vile ago--at noon-he come
over to our hourse-an' slipt
around an got ahead OF him-an' he
said, Ware is that fellow?' An |
said, Gone away He Taft an sed he
seen him GO An he sed when he
Gums back give him my complement S.
An he had his gun with him. That's
all, Frum Artie."
The man looked up.
Hes OFF, sheriff, he quickly said.
(which way?"
The stoutest man in the party re-
flected q moment.
THE chances are he'll make a blur
at going toward Springfield, the near
est point on the railroad. But he's
pretty sure to try to get into the Bas-
com woods. That's the hiding place
for him. Touch 'em up, Joe. Wen
keep on the State road until we hit
the Woodville pike. Where do you
suppose the boy is?"
He's right on the job somewhere, -
said Artie's friend. That's a great
boy. sheriff"
Hes tumbled into a great game,
that's sure" said the stout man.
Been working on this two years, you
say?"
Just two years Started in the
day after the express robbery"
Our detective agency took the case
August %, 1907" said the fourth
man Of the party. al put Brett on it
hn
chase for him
-How much was taken?" the sher-
iff asked.
"Twenty-seven thousand dollars, ="
replied the manager.
"An' you think this fellow still has
the money!"
Il am sure OF it, replied the young
detective. Il could have nabbed him
long ago, but 7 wanted 10 find where
he had hidden his plumber.
AN he held up the train alone.
eh?"
"Yes, and shot the messenger"
Pretty bad man, eh?"
mo doubt of II.
The horses, urged on by the driver,
drew the wagon along at a lively
pace, and the men rode on in silence
Now, joe" said the sheriff, pres
emily. take the cross road right be-
yond the white oak yonder. That will
give us big lead on him If he worked
the bluff and is making for the woods.
Steady at the turn"
The ruse worked well. AS the
party worked back into the turnpike
they saw n horse and wagon far
ahead. And on the seat were two
passengers.
The driver of the team urged his
horses, and the distance between the
two vehicles Iesseued.
The driver ahead was lashing his
horse. They could see the whip rise
and fall. But the posse gained more
and more rapidly.
And now they were close enough to
see that the mans companion was
boy, and a CLINT OF sunshine resting
on its polished barrel showed them
the gun lying across the seat.
Surrender" roared the sheriff.
The man dropped the reins and
with a wild oath whirled about and
stopped for the gun
But the boy was too quick for him.
He snatched away the weapon and
flung 1t far into the bushes. With n
scream of rage the man struck him
down. pistol cracked, there was
wild rush of struggling men and all
was over
When the boy came TO himself he
was lying in the lounge in his grand
mothers sitting room. and his head
throbbed and there was a smell Of
liniment in the air
Two men were bending over him.
One Of them he knew. He looked up
with faint smile.
yes, dear boy
His friends voice sounded far
away.
"Did-did you get the prodigal?"
"Yes. dear boy. He's ont there in
the wagon with the sheriff"
The boy tried to nod
When 1 saw he was going away,
l asked him II / might ride a piece.
You told me not to lose sight of him. 4"
The young man looked at his man
ager.
ut was lucky thing for MS that
you didn't. dear boy. But there, you
will soon be we'll again-it was only
a bad bump that the prodigal gave
you. And now / want You 20 put out
your hand to Mr. Van Cleve here.
He is the manager of our western
agency and he feels very gratined to
you-and has something TO tell you. a"
The older man smiled down at the
boy Then he looked around
Il want your grandmother to hear
this, toe" he said "Theexprcss CONF
Dany offered $4,000 for the recovery
of the money stolen from it by this
man KentOn. Two thousand dollars
Of this sum--at Mr. Bretrs sugges-
ton and by my recommendation will
be placed TO the credit of "a boy called
Arthur Howard Ito be- expended for
his education, IL that meets with the
approval of his guardians"
There was little silence.
Then the boy slowly smiled
"Thats doing pretty well for am
atoor detective ain't it2" he family
asked.