The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-11
THE EVENING STORY
A Shotgun Heroine.
DIV Lawrence Alfred Cls


Daughter, remember what have
told you many times over. A tramp
may appear during my absence. gu
will be sitting here on the Veranda'
He will gruffly demand food or mon
ey. You will order him away in your
SterneSt tones.
But he won't co." she said.
He may or he may not. II ne
doesn't-if he shows a disposition TO
hold his ground or attack, you are to
refer to the house. You will find my
loaded shotgun in the sitting room
The tramp will probably attack by the
side door, as that cannot be seen from
gun at your shoulder. If he appears
in the doorway give him warning. II
he does not heed the warning---
Shoot him on the spot. papa, fin
iShed the daughter.
EXACTLY That is, pepper his legs
with the birdshot. That will demon
alize him and result in a retreat. DO
not pursue him, but hold your ground
until achievements arrive. l Will pc
the reinforcements. Do you clearly
understand? %
Il do, father
An hour later, as Miss Floy reclined
in a rocker on the veranda, burly
big tramp turned in at the gate. He
had a swagger to his shoulders ana
bad face. AS a first military move
ment the girl stood up. AS second,
she assumed a very stern and uncom-
promising expression.
Missy, could I get a bite to eat at
the kitchen ?" was gruffly asked.
mo, sir. No tramps fed here.
The man shrugged his shoulders
and looked around in leer1ng way.
were growing richer and the poor
poorer, and that there was no longer
show for hard working man. Wnen
Miss Floy retired with nthe fortI1ca-
{v,% a
tons to secure the f1rst aoVahtase.
The tramp took it that she had gone
to call a man of some sort, or fe-
male cook who could handle broom
stick with dizziness and vtgor, ana ne
retreated on his reserves. AS ne
reached the highway an auto came
m and stopped and young man
aiighted and opened the gate without
giving him more than passing glance
Meanwhile, within the Notifications,
the girl had armed herself with the
enn She thought the attitude of the
tramp defiant. Yes, he was ascending
the front steps; now, he was ringing
the bell; now, he was shuffl1ng MS
feet: now, he was retiring to come
around to the sidedoor.
Halt Halt!'
For a moment he halted, and then
his form showed in the door The gun
was fairly pointed and then discharged,
and a fall and shout followed. Then
the cook came rushing in to find girl
covering on the IlOOT anu W CASioAAi'
For mercy sake, but has the dear
girl went and committed suicide"
"Out there! Out there!' gasped the
shooter as she pointed to the open
door.
'sAnd what's out there? Oh. Missy.
but here's a dead man! Was it you
that went and killed him?"
Its a tramp that attacked the house.
Papa told me to retire within the for
tifications and defend them"
Tramp? If he's tramp, then I'm a
LADY, It's a young man, Missy-a
young man and well dressed, and upon
my soul there's an otomobiley at the
gatev'
The colonel had not instructed his
daughter what to do with any dead the
retreatfng enemy might leave behind
him, and for a moment the girl could
only stand and wiring her hands. She
had made a mistake in her quarry.
She braced up after moment and ran |
through the house and down the path |
to the gate and cried to the chauffeur, |
who was nodding in drowsiness
"Quick-quick! Half a mile down the
road-a doctor! have shot your mas |
ter"
"Shot him, What for?"
ct don't know, but hurry-hurry-
hurry! Maybe there's a chance to save |
his life
The auto whizzed away and Miss
F1oy returned to the house. The cook
lad Strengthened the legs of the victim |
put a pillow under his head and was
sprinkling water on his face.
rs he-is he deadl" was tearfully |
asked.
Dunno, Missy. though L saw a leg i
twitch moment ago.
IF he's dead then I'll be electro
cuted.''
For sure! You see, he's a beautiful |
young man and an innocent young man |
and it'll be cold-blooded murder. Yes,
you'll be 'lectrocuted, but I'll be there
to hold your hand and cheer you to the
last
At that moment the young man
sighed. Then he opened his eyes. Then |
he rose upon his elbow
Praise the saints!' piously observedj
the cook.
I'm SO gIadt" whispered Miss Floy.
Can you tell me what has hap
pened? '' asked the young man as ne
raised himself still higher with lit
tie assistance.
Yves; I shot you. I thought you
were a tramp. I have sent your auto
after a doctor, and we will have you
in bed soon I can't begin to tell you
how sorry I am
you peppered my legs, and the
nervous shock did the rest. Don't
worry about it. This is Miss Glider,
here to see your father. First time
I was ever taken for a tramp or shot
in the legs, but don't mention it."
The doctor arrived, and with the
aid of the cook and chauffeur the
victim was carried to the guest cham
Der. About 20 bird shot had pepper
ed his legs. The job of picking them
out lasted about two hours. During h
this operation the medico was gruff
and uncommunicative, but when the
last pellet had been laid on the sand
he said:
young man, you could get up and
ride away tomorrow, but you won't
do it."
mo ?'' :,
"You'n stay here for a couple of