Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-03-02

door.
AS he raised his hand to knock, the
door was suddenly opened. A heavily
built, heavily bearded woodsman stood
before him-a man with skill ant
cunning in his face, and desperate
threatening courage in his eyes,
devil to dare, giant to do-Dicb
Price. He glowered upon the ped
dler, shading the Pickering torch he
held while his piecing glance search
ed Densmore's face.
"What dye want"
"You vas de leetle poy's pa? Dat
vas goot. l want something's to eat
and something's to sleep. De leetle
poy said So" And with simple natur-
alness Carl brushed aside the mighty
doorman, threw HE pack on the floor,
and, with a sigh of relief, dropped in
to low bench near the fire. "Ah,
dat vas goot."
For an instant anger famed in
Prices face, but before he could speak
a back door opened, and young wo-
man, 1.-THE and charming, entered and
said:
"Ah, this is the peddler Will spoke
to me Of He lost his way, DEAR" she
continued, going to Price and laying
her hand upon his arm; "and Will
asked him to stay with us tonight.
It's all right"
$50 yer a peddler, ehl" said the
host, "an' lost yer wayl Wall, yer
welcome to our fire and fare but |
tell We little more ceremony will be
better with Dick Price next time"
Carl smiled, too, childlike and bland,
and said "Yaw." The host and his
companion we're amused.
"Where's the boy 7" asked Price.
"Be went to the barn." replied the
woman, and she busted herself pre-
pairing the evening meal. she was
too tired to eat"
Carl was sure now that the woman
and boy were one.
A plentiful supper was served, af-
ter which the peddler and his host
drew before the fire with their pipes.
Naturally the conversation turned up
on the trade, and Dutchy very will
ingly told of his success, and even
showed the silver he had gathered.
Price picked piece Of it from his
hand.
"This 'ere's bad" said he.
"Vat! Pad!' and Carl leaned for
ward excitedly. "Oh, you vas foolin'.
Dis will pass"
at may pass, but it's counterfeit
all the same," said Price.
"Vell, neffer mind It's good enough
for me-" said the peddler, with a
smile. 81 only wish / had t'ousand
tollars nit it,
"Wall, reckon you could get it,
said Price. 81 heard fellow say
to-day thar war lots O. it around"
spy schimminy! l would like to
get it," said his companion. at vas
God effry ware Co."
81 know q Teller what's got some of
the stuff" said Price, in low tone,
shut he lives mile from here. Ye
could buy it O. him, l reckon"
"For how much I" said Carl.
"Oh, maybe one-half," returned the
other. 81 can't say. It's bad stuff
to deal with, we know"
"Oh, yah! / was tired myself oud
tonight"
A moments consultation with the
woman and Price called the peddler
10 follow, and climbed the ladder to
The loft. There was a shake down on
The floor.
"Thar it's not the finest bedroom
N the world, but yell Sleep" said
Price, laughing. "Good night"
"Good night" returned Carl.
The other disappeared.
Densmore heaved a sigh.
ats hard work playing Dutch"
be muttered.
Then he opened the pack, and from
II drew two revolvers, bowie knife,
three pairs Of handouts, and the star
Of the United States secret service.
II may have work before morning,
md these are good bed-fellows."
While engaged, the sound of
door stealthily opened attracted his
attention, and q moment later he
heard mems voices below. Leaving
bis bed, he crept to knot in the
door and listened.