The Republican journal., 1912-07-11
THE BOY DETECTIVE.

1t was a crisp winter morning, bright
sun shining across the fields white with
their winters covering such day
as gives joy to the heart of boy who
wishes to 20 squirrel hunting. And so it
was that Dan Purdy, IA years old, stood
smiling at nature, his whole being alive
with the pure joy of living. He was
fine specimen of country boy, tall, well
set up and of cl ar. noble countenance.
t'Never a finer boy born,' was the
boast of Mr.. Purdy, father of the sub.
ject Of our story, whenever he spoke OF
his son. "Got ambition, courage, good
heart and the determination of bull
dog if need be-" And the elder Purdy
would close his lips tightly, nod his head
emphatically, feeling that he was justi-
fed in Dragging" on his own son.
And Mrs. Purdy! Well, when one ap-
proaches the mothers point of view in
regard to her children-or child. as the
case may be one gets upon sacred
ground, so to speak. Every crows f1edg-
lings are whittier than the driven snow, as
we have long ago found out. But IN this
instance, the mother was not "bllndly
foolish" as so often is the sad case.
Mrs. Purdy had fine son, and very we'll
she knew it. Also she knew OF his small
shortcomings, and made amends for them
by comparing his fine qualities with his
few weak points. For instance, when
Dan was very much preoccupled with
doing anything he would forget to do his
chores, and if sent on an errand to a
neighbours house would remain overtime
if the neighbours wife had much CONVEX
sation to engage him. And his excuse
would be, ''Well, mother, you wouldn't
have me rush off while Mrs. Dash was
asking me questions, or telling me neigh
borhood gossip, would your" and SO on.
And Mrs Purdy would end by forgiving
him "this time" although she felt that
''this time would be repeated again and
again in Dams thoughtlessness. But she
would argue thus to herself: dan Is so
honest, so kind, so eager always to 10 the
right thing, and has so much sympathy
for all sorts and conditions of people that
he Just can't put check to gabbing
neighbors nor show his disgust for their
idle gossip. But his failings are so few
and of so slight nature that should
not exaggerate them. 1t would be the
wise plan to let him outgrow them OF
his own accord-which one OF his noble
nature will most surely do.
The three Purdys lived most happily
together on fine farm which ran along
the borders Of deep woods. This woods
abounded with small game, and during
the winter holidays Dan spent much time
there with his rifle, and his mother said
that following one of Dams hunting ex-
cursions they had rabbit or squirrel pie
for days together, and often sent a fine
bag Of squirrels or wild ducks There
was lake in the midst of the forest
where ducks abounded) to her sister
living in the town three miles distant.
"a dandy day for squirrels and ducks,
mother" said Dan. "Guess III go for
few hours
'Be careful, sonny" enjoined Mrs.
Purdy E'There are ruffians- criminals,
in facial large. wouldn't have you
fall into their hands for the world. They
might do you bodily harm, my child"
ooh, those train wreckers are not any
where in this county now, mother" de-
clared Dan, wisely They've made
tracks as fast as ever they could, be-
lieve me. Why, it. been almost week
since they tried wrecking the fast ex-
press down yonder in that cut" And
Dan pointed to long range of hills
which ran about mile distant from the
Purdy farm. Through that range of
hills was deep railroad cut, and several
days beforc the beginning of this story
a band of desperadoes had attempted to
wreck an express train there. Their
wicked plan had fortunately been de-
tected by some railroad workers before
time for the train. Since then the county
sheriff and his posse had been securing
the county Whereabouts for the gang, but
:heir search had been futile.
yes" said Mrs. Purdy 81 suppose
the gang has got away ere now; but, if
by any chance they were hiding about
the woods, you might fall into their
hands. 1t is we'll to be on the safe side,
you know.
"Well, they'll not find me in their path,
mother, | can assure you OF that. But
I'll be off. Isn't it a perfect winter day,
thought
Within ten minutes, Dan, with game
bag and rile, was out on the public high
way, and heading toward the woods
which looked dark and forbiddingly black
at distance. But on entering the woods,
there was nothing to fear there. Dan
loved the silence Save for the chirping
of the little snow birds that occaslonly
few in little groups about in search of
food) of the woods in winter. He trod
thu ough the snow beneath which crunch
ed the layer of dead leaves, soft and
springy.
"Well, WE'LL is all life gomez" asked
Dan of himself, as he trudged on with
out a glimpse of squirrel or rabbit.
Guess I'll have to 60 on to the lake; but
if | find it frozen over there'll be no
ducks either
Dan lived in a southern-central State
where the lake in question rarely froze
over unless the weather was unusually
cold. Snow usually fell in good quanti-
ties, but the river and lakes-w where
there was depth rarely had more than
Swimming" of snow, and that soon
disappeared beneath day of brig ht
sunshine. So it was that the wild ducks
were to be found all winter long on that
lake so deep and so well protected by the
heavy forest about it.
Dan hurried along toward the lake,
hoping to find few ducks sailing its
waters. Mother will be disappointed
if l return empty handed, he said to
himself But even as he spoke mentally,
his ear, of cultivated alertness, caught
sound. Instantly Dan paused and bent
his head to listen. Yes, it was the sound
of moving creatures in the snow. 1t
might be deer Dams heart beat high
with hope What a surprise to drag
home fine deer! He had never captured
deer vet, for they had been mostly