The Huttig news., 1913-07-12

proved that he was not asleep. Miss Grace must step inside, however. to see if that bird had any documents concealed under his wings. She must overlook nothing that might furnish clew
 She did, just the same. She over looked the trap that yawned for her right foot, and with a snap the jaws came together. There was wild yell from the captive and a chuckle from the gander. Steel traps are made to take hold and pinch and hang on and hurt. even when they have no teeth.
 Could the girl work the springs and loosen her benumbed foot? No sir-ee! She tried it and failed She must yell and get help or wait the return of young Burton. And if she got help what would people say! And if the young man returned and found her there what would he say! There was nothing funny in the situation. There was nothing interesting in the old gander.
 
 Boy. know you are in there and caught in the trap!" said the voice of Mir. Burton, "and I want to talk to you minute before I release you know l have upset the town by my coming here and living as have, but it's about over. I was brought up by rich aunt. She loved me. but didn't think l amounted to much, and made a will with the following provisions:
 "As l had never helped her about the house, even to bringing in a stick of stove-wood. I must keep house alone by myself for year and see what a mean job 1t was.
 As she didn't think I knew enough to select wife yet must keep clear of the girls for twelve months.
 As l was always a great hand to gab and blab. must tell no one here my business.
 AS the old gander in there had once happed his wings and squawked and scared robber away, I must take care of him till he was claimed by death
 If I went through all this for a year l was to have the hundred thous- and she left. If failed it was to go to the heather of Africa. didn't pro- pose to let the heathen cross one over on me, and so l am here. I went to the postoffice a short time ago and re- ceived letter from the executors to the effect that had done so well that the remainder of the year was to be cancelled. 1 am therefore free to do as l will, even to finding some nice girl and asking her to share my for tune with me.
 T do not think you came here to steal my gander. I think it was boy ish curiosity that drew you. You see. I have been a boy myself and know all about 1t. I am not at all displeased with you, and will set you at liberty at once"
 Thereupon MT. Burton entered the goose house and knelt down, and with strong hands pressed the spring back and lifted out very shapely foot and said:
 Now you can run along home, bubby. If were you I'd tell mother that I fell down stairs. Goodbye. sonny!"
 The bushes! The tears! The shame of 1t as Miss Grace lipped homel she just had to tell her mother, and her mother said she deserved to have her ears boxed. old as she was.
 Why, what can he think of you!" she wound up with.
 That questions was answered three months later when the father came home one evening from his office to say:
 Grace, which shall 1t be?"
 What, papa?"
 Young Burton was in to see me this afternoon"
 (Blushes.)
 twill you marry him or the gan der?"
 'IIl-I'I-"
 She didn't take the gander.