The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-12-30

III
they little boy a-settin in they yard
on they grass" answered the child.
I've come to Ak your Aunt Miner
vas water pipe" said the truth-loving
Mr.. Jones. Come, show me the way;
I'm the plumber
In the bath room?" asked the
child. II didn't know II needed no
flxin'."
He led the agreeable plumber
through the hall, down the long back
porch to the bath room, remarking:
I'll jes' watch you work" And he
seated himself in the only chair.
Here is where Billy received one of
greatest surprises of his life.
The fascinating stranger grabbed him
with rough hand and hissed:
Don't you dare open your mouth
or I'll crack your head open and scat
ter your brains. I'll eat you alive"
The fierce, bloodshot eyes, which
had seemed SO laughing and merry
before, now glared into those of the
little boy as the man took a stout cord
from his pocket, bound Billy to the
chair and gagged him with a large
bath towel. Energetic Mr.. Jones took
the key out Of the door, shook his fist
at the child, and went out, and locked
the door behind him.
Jimmy seeing no hope Of eluding
Sarah James vigilance, resorted to
strategy and deceit.
Tain't no fun setting out here" he
called to her, 80 I'm going In the
house and take q nap"
She willingly consented, as she was
through with her ironing and thought
to snatch few winks of sleep her
self.
The little boy slipped quietly through
the house, nOiselessly across the back
yard and into his fathers big gar
den, which was separated from that
of his neighbor Ly high board fence.
He quickly climbed the fence, few
across Miss MineIvas tomato patch
and tiptoed up her hack steps to the
back porch, his little bare feet giving
no sign OF his presence. Hearing Gu
rious noises coming from the bath
room, where Billy YVES humping the
chair up and down In his efforts to re-
lease his mouth, he made for that
spot, promptly unlocked the door and
walked in. Billy by scuff1ing and tug
ging had freed his mouth from the
towel that bound 1t at that mo-
ment.
"Hush!" he whispered as Jimmy
opened the door, you'll get eat up
alive if you don't look out" His tone
was so mysterious and thrilling and
he looked so scared tied to the chair
that the younger boys blood almost
froze in his veins.
What you doing all tied up so?"
lie asked, in low, frightened tones.
"Mr. Algernon Jones done it.
spec he's a robber an Is jes' a-rob-
BERN right now" answered Billy.
"t'll unite you," said his chum.
Nav; you better not" said Billy
bravely. "He might git away. You
leave me jes' like he fixed me SOS
you can try to ketch him. 1 hear him
In the diniE' room now. You leave
me right here an step over to yo'
house an phone to some mems to
come and git him quick. Shet the do
ag'in an don't make no noise. Fly,
now!"
And Jimmy did fly. He again took
the garden route and In q minute was
at the telephone with the receiver to
his ear.
Hello! Is that you, Miss Central?
This is me-" he howled into the trans
mitter. Gimme Miss Minervas beau.
don't know his number. but he's got
a office over my papa's bank"
His father being out of town, the
little boy shrewdly decided that Miss
Minerva's beau was the next best man
to help capture the robber.
Miss Minerva what lives by me-"
he shrieked.
Fortunately Central recognized his
childish voice and was willing to hu-
NOR him, SO as she too knew Miss
Minerals beau the connection was
quickly made.
Hello! Is that you, major? This
Is me. II you don't want Mr. Alger-
non Jones to be robbering everything
Miss Minerals got you getter get a
move on and come right this minute.
You got to hustle and bring bout a
million pistols and guns and swords
and tomahawks and all the mans you
can find and dogs. He's the fiercest
robber ever was, and he's already
done tie Billy to the bath room chair
and done eat up bout q million cold
biscuits, spec. All Of us Is bout
to be slowed. Goodby."
The plump, round gentleman at the
other end of the wire heard this amaz-
ing message In the utmost confusion
to mold an inquest or investigation.