The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-06-20
DEACON DuLLDozER AND THE con-
FIDENT MAN.

reputation of being very shrewd d
and sharp man. No one in Snoozeboro
had a greater faculty of demonstrate
ing that black was white and white
was black. Few of his neighbors
had ever dealt with him withou.
being worsted. No man in the coun-
try could get the advantage Of him
in horse trade, for he was very
cautious and plausible man. He
was very stingy and selfish. He
never gave anything to the needy and
unfortunate but advice; with that
article he was very profuse and
liberal.
Moses Knapp, who was one oil
Deacon David Dulldozer's neighbors,
was very meek and credulous sor.
of o man. His extreme h h5nesty and
creduhty were his greatest failings
misfortunes. He was bonnd to be-
lieve what verybody told him and
though often puzzled at the conflict.
ing statements of his neighbors, he
believed that all were sincere in their
affirmations. He was an industrious
and hard-working man, but his
worldly prosperity was slow by rea-
son of his lack of what some men
call legitimate enterprise.
Now Moses Knapp once had oc.
casion to visit Chicago; what his mo-
tive in making the journey was does
not matter. 1t might have been the
con ntemplated purchase OF some
agricultural implements or from an
irrepressible desire to behold the
wonderful wax-works in Woods
Museum.
A trip 10 Chicago was an importan.
event in the life of Moses Knapp.
for he rarely went outside the boun-
daries of the town he lived in. As
soon as Deacon David Dulldozer
heard of Moses Knapp's proposed
journey he made due haste to call
upon him to give his credulous
neighbor little gratnitous advice.
''rake plenty of money, Moses. .
be said, 80 if the cars run off the
track. or anything else happens,
you won't be helpless among stran-
gers. Don't GIT your pocket picked
or get taken III by any of them con.
fidence men that stand around the
street corners. They're plausible
fellows, Moses. But I was always
too much for 'em. Now, remember.
don't believe nothin' they tell you.'
Moses thanked the Deacon for bis
kindly interest in his welfare and
promised to be very cautious and
careful.
Shortly after he started for the
Garden City. After riding few
miles u well-dressed and pleasan,
looking stranger approached him
and begged leave to share his seat
Moses was just wishing that he had
some one To talk with, and moving
along he cheerfully made room foi
the stranger beside him aud the two
were soon chatting with the ia.
nIiliarity OF old friends.
Live in Spoozeboro?"
"Yes," pleasantly responded Mos
"Ah, very fine farming locality.
Yes. have you ever been there?
"Often."
"Do you know Deacon David
DulIdozer, an Amasa Tompkins, an
Rodney Green?"
why, yes. The Deacon is sorl
of second cousin of mine"
''Wal, wal. Yes. I've heerd him
speak of you lots of times. Your
name is Featherly, amt itY"
YES"
From Flagg's Flatts?"
'.Yes. I'm The man."
$50, SO. Wal I'm mighty glad to
see you; goin' to Chicago?
"Yes, it will be real pleasant to
have you for company"
So they rode on for some hours
until Featherly began to grow
drowsy. 1t was late in the evening
and they would not arrive in Chicago
until after daybreak on the mex
morning.
BE you gettin' sleepy?" asked
Moses, meekly.
Yes. 1 believe I'd take nap i
it wasn't for the thieves and pick
pockets that are SO thick ON thes,
trains; q man can't go into o dos,
without their going through him?"
"Goin' thru hin?" asked Moses il
astonishment, not fully comprehend
ing the term.
"Yes, picking his pockets. ane
taking his wallet and watch from
him.
MOP" Moses clapped his hani
upon his pocket-book, to assure him
self that it was not gone.
"It's unfortunately trde," continued
Mr.. Featherly. Now I'll tell you
Mr.. Knapp, what I'll do. II you'll
just take charge of my valuables. II
lay down and sleep till midnight
You wake me up, then, and I'll de
the same favor for you."
This proposition greatly pleased
Moses. He began to think Mr.
Featherly very honest and clevel
man. when he handed out hi
valuable gold watch and well-fillet
pocket-book to him, and charges
him to wake him promptly at twelve
Mr.. Featherly then turned over ans
went to sleep, while Moses regarded
the property committed to his keep
ing with lynx eyes. He was fatter
ed by the confidence Mr.. Featherl.
Proposed in him. Mr.. Featherly wa
a fine sort of man.
Promptly at midnight Moses CAV
his companion violent shake, VIII.
awoke with a yawn and professet
much surprise that the hours hal
passed SO quickly. Moses returned
the property that he had SO faith
/ fully guarded to its owner. The
taking his own watch and weli-fille'