The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-08-08
Billy Mudge's
Surprise
BY OSCAR cox

second story of barn with a pitch
Fork. Billy was trudgihg along through
wood one day when he came to a
clearing. There was small house on
it, but no one appeared to be at home.
Billy noticed the place before leaving
the edge of the wood, and suddenly ne
saw something else that made him stop
short. On the opposite side Of the clear
ing a man emerged from the road and,
taking position behind tree standing
alone, surveyed the house intently.
Then he moved toward 1t stealthily.
keeping his eye fixed on 1t, and on
reaching it began to examine 1t for
some place of entrance.
From a dream Billy had suddenly en-
tered upon a reality. How much there
might be in it for him he didn't con-
slider. Apparently 1t was nothing more
than an opportunity to prevent a thief
from committing depreciation. Billy
was unarmed and felt 1t necessary to
proceed cautiously. The man he watch
ed, after trying windows and doors, at
last found an opening to the cellar,
through which he disappeared.
Billy looked about him for weapon
and found stout cudgel on the ground.
which he picked up and clutched with
firm grasp. He had time to think
while the man was in the house and
realized that the robber doubtless had
either a revolver or a knife, perhaps
both, and to attack him would be to
get worsted. He therefore decided not
to enter the house, but welt till the
fellow came out, follow him. steal up
behind him and fell him with blow
from his club.
In q few minutes the front door was
thrown open. and the thief emerged,
carrying long yarn stocking, full as
after a visit from Santa Claus on
Christmas eve. Billy knew the way
that some country persons kept their
money and recognized the stocking as
the depository of the occupant Of the
house. He stopped and moved for
ward. expecting the robber to go the
way he had come and intending to fol-
low him. But just as the fellow was
about to step down from the porch
on to the ground there was sound Of
breaking underbrush and a thud Of
horses hoofs on turf, and girl on
emerged from the wood into
the clearing.
Billy paused and awaited develop
The man dropped the stocking, and
the girl, pulling in her horse. rested
the rein on his neck, covered her face
with both hands and was shaking with
sobbing. The robber. who
had been caught in t. It. hung his
head. It was evident rot merely O
case Of common thief being detected
by stranger. but brother or lover
surprised by his sister or his sweet
heart.
There were words-reproache likely
which Billy could not hear. The girl,
calling on the man to follow her, urged
her horse from the clearing, the man
on foot. They were out Of
sight when posse of armed men
broke into the clearing and, hearing
the sounds Of breaking bushes, ran
after them.
Billy waited further developments;
but, neither hearing nor seeing any
more Of the persons concerned. he
from his hiding. went to the
house and picked up the stocking lying
IN the ground. He felt of it and con-
'luded that 1t was full Of bills and
'oins. Untying string that held in
he contents, he thrust in his hand and
rev out a handful of loose pieces Of
,aper and some small stones.
"Well. I'll be goldarnedw he ex-
claimed.
Billy looked at the stocking. then at
he house, then turned the stocking
Upside down and shook out the con-
ents-bits of newspaper and stones
cratched his head and repeated:
"I'll be goldarned!
Going to the door. he tried to open Il,
tut 1t had evidently been fastened, aft
r the robber had gone out, by spring
ock. Billy tried to get into the house
y the cellar door through which the
obber had effected an entrance This
DOR, too, was locked, or, rather. bolt
n inside for throuoh n orooly ho oouId
ee the bolt shot.
Turning, he stood looking up at the
ouse with his hands in bis pockets.
Til wondering.
II WISH" he said, 'I'd knowed that
tockin' didn't have no money In 1t.
ause I could "a told the Teller that,
fter all, he hadn't committed no bur.
larry, and the gal wouldn't a. TUX on
0. But what he was so keerful fur
bout lockin' up after he'd TUX or
bought he'd TUX all the funds in the
ouse I'd like to know"
Hearing a litter. he looked to his
ght. There stood man beside some
ort OF machine. A litter at his left
rev his attention. and he saw the rob
er and the girl laughing at him.
See here. you people," he exclaimed.
What does all this goldarned perform
nee meanY"
ut means" said the man with the
achine, "that we've been making
owing picture play. I've got you in