The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-06-20
Billy Nudge S
Surprise
By OSCAR cox

SoCOuU SpOTy VI u udIu Will QlpCu-
fork. Billy was trudging along through
wood one day when he came to a
clearing. There was q 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 he
saw something else that made him stop
short. On the opposite side Of the clear
ing 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 dream Billy had suddenly en-
tered upon a reality. How much there
might be in it for him he didn't con-
slider. Apparently it was nothing more
than an opportunity to prevent thief
from committing depreciation. Billy
was unarmed and felt it 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 q 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 knife, perhaps
both, and to attack him would be to
get worsted. He therefore decided not
to enter the house, but wait till the
fellow came out, follow him, steal up
behind him and fell him with blow
from his club
In few minutes the front door was
thrown open. and the thief emerged,
carrying a 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 60 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 thud of
horses hoofs on turf, and girl on
horseback emerged from the wood into
the clearing.
Billy paused and awaited develop
ments.
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
convulsive sobbing. The robber. who
had been caught in tn" '"t. hung his
head. 1t was EVIDENT" not merely a
case of common thief being detected
by stranger. but brother or lover
surprised by his sister or his sweet
heart.
There were words-reproaches likely
which Billy could not hear. The girl,
calling on the man to follow her, urged
her horse from the clearing, the man
running on foot They were out of
sight when a 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
emerged from his hiding, went to the
house and picked up the stocking lying
on the ground. He felt of 1t and con-
cluded that it was full of bills and
coins Untying string that held in
the contents, he thrust in his hand and
drew out handful Of loose pieces Of
paper and some small stones.
"Well. I'll be goldarned" he ex-
claimed.
Billy looked at the stocking, then at
the house, then turned the stocking
upside down and shook out the con-
tents-bits Of newspaper and stones
scratched his head and repeated:
an be goldarned!'
Going to the door, he tried to open 1t,
but 1t had evidently been fastened, aft
er the robber had gone out, by spring
lock. Billy tried to get into the house
by the cellar door through which the
robber had effected an entrance. This
door, too, was locked, or, rather, bolt
ed inside, for through crack he could
see the bolt shot.
Turning, he stood looking up at the
house with his hands in bis pockets,
still wondering.
II WISH" he said, I'D knowed that
stockin' didn't have no money in II,
cause / could "a told the Teller that,
after all, he hadn't committed no bur.
glary, and the gal wouldn't "a TUX on
so. But what he was so keerful fur
about lockin' up after he'd TUX or
thought he'd TUX all the funds In the
house I'd like to know"
Hearing a litter. he looked to his |
right. There stood man beside some
sort of machine A litter at his left |
drew his attention, and he saw the rob
Der and the girl laughing at him.
"See here, you people," he exclaimed.
"What does all this goldarned perform
ance mean"
ut MEANS" said the man with the
machine, "that we've been making q
moving picture play. I've got you in
picking up the stocking and trying to
II.