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A frowsy, rat-faced woawky youth of fourteen stuck their heads out the doorway at either side of the ot nothin' to sell," snapped the woman; but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat bank roll in the youth's hand "Or, leastwise," she aot one up so lately that I'll hev to ask ye er on wantin'?"

"Anything you can spare," said the youth "There are three of us and we're awful hungry"

"Where yew stoppin'?" asked the woman

"We're at the old Squibbs' place," replied The Kid "We got caught by the storht and had to put up there"

"The Squibbs' place!" ejaculated the woht?"

"Yes we did," replied the youth

"See anything funny?" asked Mrs Case

"We didn't SEE anything," replied The Oskaloosa Kid; "but we heard things At least we didn't see e heard; buta dead one"

The Cases shuddered "A dead man!" ejaculated Jeb Case "Yew seen him?"

The Kid nodded

"I never tuk much stock in them stories," said Jeb, with a shake of his head; "but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet beats ot to spare," and he turned into the kitchen with his wife

The lanky boy stepped, out and planting himself in front of The Oskaloosa Kid proceeded to stare at him "Yew seen it?" he asked in awestruck tone

"Yes," said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close toward the other; "it had bloody froth on its lips!"

The Case boy shrank back "An' what did yew hear?" he asked, a glutton for thrills

"Soed a chain behind it and caet in our rooot us, too," he added, "and it did it all night"

"Whehistled the Case boy "Gosh!" Then he scratched his head and looked adht yer name be?" he asked

"I'm The Oskaloosa Kid," replied the youth, unable to resist the adaze "Look here!" and he fished a handful of jewelry fro I stole last night when I robbed a house"