The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-04-10
He Didn't Fit
By OSCAR cox
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association
By OSCAR cox

and then wrote bis father that he was
In New Mexico earning a living as a
cowboy.
This was something Of a relief-both
the hearing from him and his assur-
apce that he was at least earning an
honest living. His father had dreaded
lest he had been hanged and his moth
er lest he had slept out on damp
ground and caught bis death OF cold.
His father secured a correspondent In
the region where Billy punched cows
and paid q man to go over and see
what kind of record the boy had be-
hind him. The reply was favorable.
and Billy was invited to come home
on q visit. He accepted
"Oh, Billy" cried his mother. "how
could O leave us all this while with
out a word?"
"Reckon I've got a live wire in me
somewhere, mummy"
"Oh, he's all right" said the father.
Thine enough yet to polish him up.
How old are you. Bfllr'
Twenty"
But you don't know anything" sigh
ed the mother. you've not been to
school"
81 was all right for schooling when
/ ran away"
"He's got something better than ad-
yanced education-splendid health"
said the father.
Mr.. Burton tried to induce his son to
leave his business and take his place,
but Billy said that he would wreck the
concern. His father insisted, and his
mother begged. So Billy agreed to try.
He started in, but he didn't enjoy the
work. The walls of the building in
closing him were too narrow for him.
One day Billy met a man on the
street that he had supposed was In
fail out in New Mexico. Accosting
him, he said:
Hello, Pete! When did you get
outY'
The man looked at Billy sharply.
srWhen did you get outY' be asked.
"Oh, II" Billy replied. taking notice
that the man had mistaken him for
one of his prison mates. II broke jail
some time ago"
Must "a brought a lot O. swag with
you, SEEM the fine clothes you got on
.Fine clothes are lying around loose
In this country for those who a
keep out of jail"
Say" said the man in a whisper.
sT'm lookin' for a crib to crack. Can
you n me on to n dead easy?"
"Surer' replied Billy. I'm going to
try one myself tonight. I'll take you
In for half the plumber. l know all
about the people. l got a room there
myself. What / want is some Teller
for me to let In and carry on the
swag. Are you with meY
You bet. rm awful down at the
heel. Haven't had a bite since yester-
day."
Every well. You come to No. 36s
Center street tonight. Fine house.
rich people. You'll find the front door
unlocked. Strike it about ] in the
morning. Have a cart two doors away
to carry the silver"
And SO it was arranged. That night
Billy sat up reading till after II
O'Clock, then switched of the electric
light and waited. He had left the
front door Unattached for Pete and felt
no doubt that be would turn up. Sure
enough. a few minutes after the clocks
had struck l Billy heard steps below.
Going down softly. he heard a move
ment In the dining o and saw the
fash of a dark lantern on the side
board. Then he saw Pete pull out a
drawer where he doubtless expected to
find silver.
Billy switched on the light for the
whole floor. Pete turned toward him
and saw his pal covering him with a
revolver.
whats it meanY' asked Pete,
aghast.
1T mean that I've got you where
you once thought you had me. Do
you remember the kid you tried to
swear away for a horse thief? Pm that
boy five years older. Pm glad Of a
chance to get even. Put your revolver
on the table. That's all right. ANY
more? Got a wagon outside? Glad
you brought 1t. Walk out and We'll
take a drive to the police station"
Billy landed his man and went home
and to. bed.
The next morning he was awakened
by a scream below. Running down.
stairs. he found his mother. who had
gone early to wake the servant, look
ing with horror at Pete's revolver ly-
ing on the dining table.
"Oh. my boy" she cried. 1.-The house
has been robbed. Look what they left.
It's a wonder we haven't all been
murdered"
Billy looked at the revolver he had
forgotten to remove the night before
and cursed himself for a fool. He
knew that his mother would
sleep serenely again If he didn't X
plain. So he confessed his part In
the transaction.
"Oh. Billy" she cried. How did
you dare expose your poor father and