Montgomery County sentinel., 1881-04-08

The idea of city boarder was very
pleasant, too, and Icy Spring farm was
very lovely spot. although we seldom
allowed ourselves to think of that.
! So, after little, l coaxed mother and
Leeman to consent, and the next morn
ing Lii aud l were up long before day
break harnessing old Pomp, and getting
ready for the days journey.
BY the timo the red, level light of the
arising sun touched old Pomp's name
with radiance, | was driving through
the Red Swamp, where the maple trees
from which II took its name we're all
aglow with crimson blossoms. and the
thrushes and robins call to one another
with hute-like notes.
Well, | managed splendidly, know
where was going when | started, |
sold the six barrels of apples Of russets
to the man who kept tho Park hotel for
four dollars apiece, and that was more
than Leeman himself anticipated.
BE careful you don't get robbed,
now," said the man as he watched me
put the bills into my little leather port
monnaie
"Robbed?" said |, with laugh.
why, who should rob me ?"
'Oh, don't know" said the land
lord There's always tramps and bur-
glars around They're crop that don't
belong to any particular season of the
year"
AS turned away did not notice it
at the time; but it came back to me at
terward, as things do come back like a
sudden flash across the dark shield OF
memory man who was lounging on
the steps looked hard at me.
colored little, and thought to my
self: "Well, he will know me the next
time he sees me-" and then forgot all
about it; for | had mothers black bom-
bazine TO match and LiPs spring hat to
buy, and some dinner china to select,
and the prescription for Leemun to fill
out at the druggists, 50 that it was well
on to seven when turned old Pomp's
# 4 haal hn,.a,.a,I -, tka a,,k...k, nf tl,o
town, with feeling of olation which
was quito pardonable, when one con.
siders my inexperience in the marketing
line, aud my exceptionally good success
The sunshine was warm and still on
the high road, and | was rather GLAD
when at last we came to the cool shadows
of the Red Swamp, where the bird'
were all silent with the noon heats, and
the sweets Of odors came floating W
from the tangled recesses of fern and
cowslip on either side of the solitary,
raied-in road.
All at once old Pomp gave a sidewise
start--his ancient idea of shying-and
then | saw man, pale, dusty and tired
looking, sitting on fallen log, just out.
side the road Il felt sorry for him; |
was like mother-who never would lei
the shabbiest or meanest looking vaga-
bond gopast our house without draught
Of milk, or piece Of fresh baked pie, or
a slice of her famous homemade bread
cake--aud without stopping to- think, |
drew in old Pomp's rein.
"Are you going toward Lenox cross
roads ?" said /.
Eyes, miss
"Then jump in; I'm going in thai
direction, too, and III give you lift. y
He thanked me in silent, dropping
sort of way, and seated himself on the
board at the back of the wagon, TOWARD
which | pointed with the handle Of my
whip.
lyon look Ill.," said T.
II am not i'll" he said, with u smoth
cred cough Only tired with my long
walk. | didn't know it was so far t
Lenox."
81 suppose you are going for work &
said |. Deacon Briefly has goot
many hands just now, in his tobacco fac
tory"
mo" said he II AM not going d
work."
asked no more questions. did no
like the idea Of u mans shrouding him
self in mystery In that sort Of way ant
as | glanced around once more, sud
den revelatio n came across, like blaz
Of light
''It was the same man who eyed ~
SO keenly On the steps Of the Parl
hotel i"
Then remembered my mothers word
of caution. Leeman's reiterated exhor
tations, the friendly words of warning
And, in spite Of all. | had deliberatel
thrust my silly head into the jaws 9
danger There was only one thing re
mainiug for me To do-to get out Of III
sorape as well as | could.
cast about 10 my mind how to d
: this u; and presently, with beating heart,
dropped a little paper parcel of blue rib
! bon into the road.
"Oh y T cried, checking up POM
"Pve dropped my parcel. Would
: would you mind getting out for it?"
, "Not in the least" said the stranger
aud he climbed laboriously out Of th
! wagon,
! IIe bad scarcely set his feet on tn