Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-12-08


gcuurry. man high some grass vel.
'ctcd mounds rustic bench. some
ntticcd vines Reuben selected spot
where his head was cmbrHsured within
nest Of shrubbcfy and his feet Oh.
cured hy some creeping vines. For
hriiy and bulk the mounds about him
md made II very harmonious part and
,arcel of the general environment.
In about an hour Mr.. ElSton came
,ui of tie house. H., carried IA Ian
ern IN one hand anI Il heavy cane In
he other First he lined the fence
II about the place. then he crossed
ind criss-croSScd the garden space
Twice he passed within ten feet Of the
q"t where Reuben lay but no sus,
'cion Of near human proximity
icrined To occur to him.
"SNfe, so far" brcaihcd Reuben in
vast Sigh of relief.
The crisis. however was not past.
Is Reuben well knew from former
Experiences. the old man was due to
ual,c "a second and later rcconnniter
II the premises. He ventured to
hangc his position and even sit up.
% relieve the strain of his queer
blight About nine o'clock the newt
bile lantern came into new evidence.
y before, Mr.. ElSlon made his care
vi rounds Then Reuben lay motion
csS and held his breath. nS he caught
sharp ejaculation. There was II
rash of glass and the lantern went
mt Its owner had irippcd On Il Vine
md had smashed II. Grunbling
nightly he came hear to the lurher.
CROPPING his way. stumbled directly
,cross the "camouingc' Intruder and
Hrnt Hat un top of him.
1t was natural that Reuben should
squirm. AMI also that he should sense
certain discovery Ii he remained where
le was.
i've got you, Who are y"ui"
shouted out MIR ElSton. but Reuben
clipped through his clutching fingers
aiih the dcNtrrity of IN eel. lie
iurtcd from bush Ia bush h" circled
aud tumblcd and. nearing the fence,
felt his footing give way and out Of
.ght he went dropped several feet
md hay inert aud Scnsclcss at the hot.
Tom of un old. abandoned well only
partly filled In.
Reuben must have lain there for
NOR, than two hours. for when he re-
Of, .yIAaE
pealel forth upon the stll night mir
eleven strokes II took him some mo-
mrnts Ia get his mind clear enough
tu comprehend the situation. lie had
inst done 50 whrr shot clear and
Instinct. rang out. II was followed by
II second rhrn two flying forms APP
pcarrd Ia be passing fhe spot. for one
humun voice fiI,A ont, Hes winged
me 80 Then drop the stun" ordered
u second voice. Here. this Is good
us Il hiding place Don't delay We
must make our getaway n all hnz-
ards -
Something struck Reuhcn's head
with force As near ~ ht ould make
il ,ut. II was -eHi vaiiSe FL ,as
for II second Tim. nearly stunned He
rallied speedilr vuuueh rs u scream
rang oui clear ana appealing.
"Wlnnic" he hreathcd she may
be- in peril
With Il prodieioa> effort Reuben
sprnns M uu,il the fingers OF both
hands claSpcd the crumbling top Of
the well. He managed 10 lift himself
clear ont of his prison place. The
dining room of the house WIS II blaze
nf light NJ It's window. screaming with
fright wns Winnie. outside n two
harrclcd shntSun In his grasp. was her
fnthrr. lmpulSivcly Reuben ran To.
ward him.
Hello Your one Of the burglars,
eh:" shouted M" old man. ns Reuben
earn" within the focus Of the stream
INK light
I'm net" declared Reuben prompt.
Is what has happcnedf"
"EutglnrS and the old iron safe
rlfcd sllNcrwnre, icwclry and over
two thousand dollars in cash." Mr..
El~lou grpancd frantically.
Don't worry" answered Reuben.
you III; one of the burglars. A. 10
,hrir plumber, think know where
IT is"
You do"
Yes. Get lantern aud come with
me-
The we'll gave NJ its treasure. The
old man grasped Rcubcn's hand with
sincere gratitude. lie could not but
invite Reuben into the house. There
hr and Nellie listened hrcnthlessly to
The explanation OF his timely appear
ancc IN the scene.
Il hear you go regularly up to Els
TONS" observed Tulcott to Reuben, IA
week later
"Oh. yes" answered Reuben with
radiant smile.
How did you come TO mollify the
old nam
Aud Rnuhau nekypVgl with one nx.