Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-08
Good MIR. Sprue.


badge on his coat.
There was a general scramble for the
head of the line, and a hurried falling back
to less eligible places by those who failed
10 secure the first.
never had any luck In gaining good
place in crowd 4 tall man, with high
hat, always would go in between me ana
what ever sight was to- be seen. If it
rained at the circus, the inevitable fat wo-
man. with the green umbrella, always
bounded INV horizon. In the rush to hear
a nopuIar preacher, | have been fortunate
enough to secure camp-stool at the lar
end of the aisle, but most commonly have
had to put up with standing room" in the
third or fourth rank, catching here and
there word of the discourse, but not a
glimmer of the sense.
This time / Jared as usual. Elbowed
out at every attempt to gain better lodg-
ment, found myself at last at the extreme
end of the queue.
''Hurry up, sayl" kept shouting he in
brass and blue
But in spite of all the line shortened
slowly. | was getting nervous. The
next day was Thanksgiving, which / had
agreed to spend at Deacon Patchin's be-
tween whose daughter Polly and myself
certain tender negotiations were then in ac-
tive progress. To miss the tram involved
the choice of either giving up my visit or
waiting several hours end arriving just in
time to find Polly in the pouts and take a
longing look at the cold remains of that eS-
pecial turkey of whose growth in fatness
PolIy's postscripts had kept me from time
to time advised.
Hurry up!-less than a minute till the
gate cleses,', admonished the blue, and
brazen official as at last reached the TIC
ket window.
.'Ticket to Hugginspor::, l said, hurried
ly.
Two dollars, " replied the ticket man,
slapping down his stamp on piece of card
board with the heel Of his hand.
I've lost my pocketbook.' l exclaimed
withdrawing the hand sent IN search of it.
Here was fix. | had started with a
liberal supply of the one thing needful for
Thanksgiving least SO far as material
pleasures go-and here | was without a
penny to pay my fare, anu not half q
minute Of spare time!
i looked around helplessly.
Il perceive your embarrassment, sir
said grave-looking gentleman, whose
white choker and 4 long skirted coat left
no doubt of his calling-'1 perceive your
arrassment, SIR, and shall be happy to
relieve you of it. Get your ticket out of
this; YOU can hand me the change and re-
NIT the rest.
As he spoke he placed a twenty dollar
bill in my hand.
.sBut, my dear sir''-I began.
''Pray don't waste time in compliments.
Ny name is Rev. Speedwell Sprue, of
Chapelton, to which address you can remit
the tritiing sum advanced. ask no bet
ter guarantee than your countenance."
81 accept your favor" l replied, with
warmest thanks" My name is Hodiah
Trimbley, white goods clerk Twist & Bob
bin, of this city,"
''Come sir, 10 YOU wish the ticket or
not?" demanded the man at the window,
with his thumb on the spring that held up
the slide.
| threw down the bill. He hastily
counted out the change and handed me 1t
and the ticket. The former passed to the
obliging stranger, whose hand | had bare
ly time TO press in parting, as | left him
waiting for another train
The gateman was in the act of closing
the passage and the last bell was ringing as
l hurried through and jumped aboard, with
views of human nature considerably eleya-
ted by the trusting confidence shown by
the Rev. Speedwel Sprue-thCugh doub-
ted whether il would DO to sell white goods
on the same credit system
From Mr.. Sprue and his chiidlike faith
lgRNNx
Patchin, and had already laid the ground
plans of several fairy cottages, in which,
with love and Polly to lend their charm, l
could have laughed at the proudest prince
in his palace.
"Dickerville - sang out the conductor,
as the whistle blew and the train slowed up
at the first stopping place.
Two men with lanterns-it was a night
traln-came busting through the car,
scanning the passengers closely.
Hal this looks like him." said one OF
them, holding his lantern 70 my face.
Fills the bill exactly" cried the other
glancing from me at a paper in his hand.
s'Come, sir" he continued, placing a
hand roughly on my shonlder. 'If l am
noI mistaken 1t was you who bought the
last ticket for this train"
at was,n answered, looking up aston
ished.
'.And paid for II with a twenty dollar
bill, he added, RECEIVING the change"
l acknowledged the fact, but with no
abatement of surprise.
s'That bill, he proceeded, twas a coun-
terfelt, andwe've been telegraphed to arrest
you"
I 70 u+t.la and
planned as well as my confusion would
permit the circumstances under which l
got the note.
"a likely stOry." was the sneering com
ment; there's so many good Mr.. Sprues
you see going about lending money to to-
tai strangers. What did you do with the
change nOwf"
Handed it back to Mr.. Sprue, / an
swered.
"a clever dodge" said one of the men
as the two exchanged winks.
''Come aloDgi" they commanded and
without further ceremony | was hustled
from the train, dragged to neighboring
calaboose and locked up.
Next morning was taken before jol
ly-Iooking Magistrate whose face was a
guarantee that 1 should at least have fair
hearing.
'Well, young gentleman, what have you
to say to this - he began.
l was proceeding with my story earnest
ly when TO my great Joy who should enter
but my kind friend, Rev. speedwell Sprue,
in company with d stranger Of very diff
ferent appearance.
''Oh, Mr.. Sprue, how glad l am to see
you!' | exclaimed. "a word from you
Will clear up this unfortunate affair"
To my great chagrin Mr.. Sprue, instead
Of promptly answering my appeal, turned
ASIDE and quite ignored my presence. But
his companion promptly stepped forward.
do you recognize thIs?" lie asked pla-
dng in my hand an article taken from his
pocket.
Il do" l cried; '1t's my own pocket
hook "