Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-01-16
COOKS LUCKY DAY
Act Of Bravery Helped Youngster
to Acquisition Of Dearest
Wish of His Life.

Being an orphan, sixteen years old,
ambitious for an education, with no
money and no prospects, was only
too glad to accept position as cook
ut Jim Austin's lumber camp, locate
about IA miles from a little village,
which was known as Nowhere" or
Daubin's Creek.
had II men to cook for, but they
were not particular as long as the
grub was at least so per cent. clean,
and plenty of it, SO I was not occupied
all Of the day.
One afternoon after had cleaned
up camp and Strengthened things out
for short walk. | had not gone far
when | heard voices, which naturally
aroused my curiosity, for knew the
men to be working on the mountain
and visitors were rather unusual.
Travelling on all tours. with as little
noise as possible, crept closer and
closer, till, peering through the trees,
| could see two men seated on. a log.
The speaker was short and rather
heavy set, with coarse. wicked face
and small eyes set Par too close to-
gether
BY this time had come up close to
where they were sitting, and could
hear plainly what was being said.
Risk HI" Kissed the stout man
at his companion. I'VE must get
something to eat, and maybe there'll
be something worth taking. Then we
can set fire to the whole thing right
there, and won't have to trust to its
catching from the woods, OF course,
If you're afraid. you can stay here,
and I'll so down and do It," And with
out another word he started through
the woods in the direction Of the camp.
For minute lay still, my heart
humping away at an awful rate. !
knew that ! would have to act quick
ly.
Remembering the fellow still on the
log, I went quietly till thought l was
out of hearing, and then for camp, as
hard as | could 90. made circuit
that I thought would bring me out on
the opposite side of the clearing from
which expected my friend with the
evil intentions, and It did.
Taking care to keep the buildings in
a line with myself and the opposite
woods, made straight for Jim's Of
fee, where / knew I would find his
Winchester. Making sure that it was
ready for use, took position be-
hind the desk and waited. Nor did
have to wait long. for in about five
minutes heard footsteps outside, the
door creaked and some one stepped
inside. | poked the barrel of my rife
over the top of the desk. rose to my
feet and confronted the stranger had
seen in the woods not IS minutes be-
fore. He mist have heard me get
to my feet, for in that instant he
dropped to one knee and his hand
flashed to his hip pocket.
However, I was expecting something
Of the sort. having heard the men dis
cuss such tricks. SO quick as thought
I dropped the muzzle Of my rife and
had him covered before he could reach
his gun. Then shouted, Hands up!''
He obeyed.
While had him safe enough, was
afraid to attempt to take his revolver
from him. not knowing whether
could manage the rife with one hand
so contented myself with telling him
Id shoot if he made a move for It
Then | backed him into a corner and
took a position with my back toward
| the door.
During this time he had not said a
word, and ! fancied he was listening
for something. Hearing a noise be
| hind me, and undecided what to do
] half turned, and as ! did SO | re
ceived a crushing blow on the side Of
the head. Suddenly everything turn
ed black, my brain reeled, the eartr
seemed to whirl under my feet and
remembered no more.
When l came back to earth AGAR
the first thing saw was Jim standing
over me.
"Jim," cried, they're going to SCI
the woods afire! They're going tt
burn the camp"
Quietly Jim bent over me. Don
try to talk now Bud" he said
But tell me-" cried, where are
those men? Who are they? Die
they get away"
Jack Schaufer. the one who hit 20,
with the revolver, is dead; and thu
other one, Dan Wilson. is enjoying :
coat of tar at this moment. | viii
hand him over to the sheriff tomor
row."
| Then Jim told me how he had come
out OF the woods just in time to SET
Shaufer creep up from behind ant
strike me down. Schaufer had opened
| fire on him, and when he reluctant!
returned it, the scoundrel had fallel
dead Wilson had surrendered with
out struggle. Both men had worked
for Jim at one time, and had beef
discharged.
Jim was silent for a while. but final
" he said: Bud how would you lik'
to 70 back to SCHOOL," simply look
ed at him, and he knew. what l meant
Bud" he said, you're going bacl
to school next year and finish your ed
ucation. Now don't say word. d.
YOU know that if the Office had burned
with all my papers in it, would be
ruined man now? And in the mean
time will need you in the Office. W.
will have to look for new cook
And Jim's word was law.