Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-06-09
He Didn't Fit
BY OSCAR cox
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

Billy Burton was the son OF wet
To do merchant I'm the east. When a
boy Billy showed predictions for n
Wild life and when he was fifteen ram
away from home He wAs gone sev
eral years before he was heard from
and then wrote his father that he was
I'm New Mexico earning a living as n
cowboy.
This was something OF relief both
the hearing from him and his ussur.
ancc that he was ut least earning ~
honest living His father had dreaded
lest he had been hanged and his moth
or lest he had slept out on damn
ground and caught his death OF cold.
His father secured n correspondent Ia
the region where Billy punched cows
and paid n man 10 go over and src
what kind OF record the boy had be-
hind him The reply was favorable.
and Billy was invited 10 come home
on n visit. lie accepted.
"Oh. Billy" cried his mother. how
could you leave us all this while with
out n wordr'
Reckon I've got a live wire In mo
somewhere, mummy"
"Oh, he's all right said the father.
Time enough yet to polish him up.
How old are you, Bil2"
Twenty"
"But you don't know anything" sigh
ed the mother. you've not been to
school"
IL was ali right for schooling when
l ran away"
Hes got something better than adj
vanccd education-splendid health"
said the father
Mr. Burton tried to induce his son 10
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.
lie 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 man on the
street that he had supposed was in
jail out In New Mexico. Accostipg
him. he said:
Hello, Petel When did you get
outT
The man looked Mt Billy sharply.
when did pou get out?" he asked.
"Oh, ~ Billy replied, taking notice
that the man had mistaken him for
one OF his prison mates. 81 broke Jail
some time ago"
"Must "a brought lot o. swng with
you. seem the 1ne 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 n whisper
"I'm looxin' for crib TO crack. Can
you put me on to one dead easy?
"Surcp' replied Billy. "Pm going to
Try one myself tonight. ri take you
IN for half the plumber. l know all
about the people ! got n room there
myself What ! want is some Teller
for me TO let I'm and carry of the
swag. Are you with me?'
You bet! I'm awful down Mt the
heel. Haven't had bite since yester.
day"
VERY well You come to No 3GS
Center street tonight. Fine house,
rich people. You'll find the front door
unlocked. Strike It about IN tho
morning. Have II 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 Unattached for Pete and felt
no doubt TINT be would turn up. Sure
enough. few minutes after the clocks
bad struck I Billy heard steps below.
Going down softly. he heard move
mcnt In the dining room and saw the
fash OF n dark lantern on the side
board Then he saw Pete pull out n
drawer where he doubtless expected TO
end silver.
Billy switched on the light for the
whole floor. Pete turned toward him
and saw his pal covering him with a
revolver
What's 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 a horse thief? I'm that
boy five years older. I'm glad OF a
chance 20 get even. Put your revolver
on the table. That's all right Any
more1 Got n wagon outsider Glad
you brought &c. Walk out nnd wen
take n drive 20 the police station"
Billy landed his man and went homo
and to bed.
The next morning he was awakened
by a scream below. Running down
stairs. he found his mother who had
gouo early TO wake the servant. look
Ing with horror at Petes 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 looked at the revolver he had
forgotten TO remove the night before I
and cursed himself for a fool lie /
know that his mother would never
sleep screuely again II he didn't ex-