Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-06-07


The sunshine was warm, and still on
the high road, and was rather glad at
first when We came to the cool shadows
of the Red Swamp, where birds were
all silent in the noon heats and the
sweetest oders came floating up from
the tangled recesses of fern and eowslip,
on either side of the raiIed in-road.
At once old Pomp gave sidewlse start,
his ancient idea of shying, and then 1
ssw man. pale, dusty, and tired-look
ing, sitting on fallen log, just outside
OF the road. L felt sorry for him;
was like mother, who never would let
the shabbiest or meanest loeklng vaga-
bond go past our house without a
draught of milk, or piece of fresh
baked pie, or a slice of her famous
home made cake, and without stopping
to think drew in old Pomp's rein.
Are you going towards Lenox Cross
Roads 2 said /.
Yes
Then jump in I'm going in that di-
rection too. and will give You lift
He thanked me in silent, dropping
sort of way and seated himself on the
board at the back of the wagon, toward
which l pointed with the handle of my
whip.
You look ILL., said I.
4 am not i'll, he said with a smother
ed cough. Only tired with my long
walk. didn't know it was so far to
Lenox.'
4 suppose You are going for work p
SAID l. Deacon Briefly has a good
many hands now IN his tobbaco facto-
y.'
No. said he, / an not going to
work
L aked no mere questions. l did not
like the idea of a man shrouding him
self in mystery in that sort of way, and,
as 1 glanced around once more sudden
revelation came across me like a blaze
of light.
1t was the same man who eyed ms sc
keenly on the steps OF the Park Hotel.
Then 1 remembered my mothers
words of caution, Leeman's reiterated
exhortations, and the landlords friend
ly words of warning.
And in spite of all, I had deliberately
thrust my silly head into the jaws o.
danger. There was only one thing fol
me to do-to get out of the scrape as
well as could.
/ cast about in my mind how to do
this and presently, with beating heart
1 dropped a parcel of blue ribbon int
the road.
'OrI cried, checking up Pomp, Fv'
dropped my parcel. Would you min(
getting out after it?'
Not IN the least, said the stranger
and he climbed laboriously out of tn
wagon.
He had scarcely set his feet on tn
, ground before 1 laid the whip on oil
Pomp with a will, and ratified ava.
over the long, straight road at a pac
i, that seemed positively marvellous to m
and Pomp, both.
80 we left our passenger behind In tn
middle of Red Swamp.
l could see him standing there, blan
and astonished, the sole picture in tn
long perspective; L ventured to loo
bach but 1 only whipped Pomp tn
: harder, and never let HIM once stop hi
pace till we were ont of the Red Swamp
I've outgeneraled him, said to my
self. and I've saved Leeman sd, bu
I'm sorry about the blue ribbon but
was only yard and quarter after al
and 1 can trim Lil's hat with somethin
else. They were delighted at my prov
ess when 1 related my adventure
home. Leeman declared l was a cap
tai little market woman; mother shu(
L dered at the desperate tramp alone wit
Ii me In the swamp Lii declared 1 was
> hero.
&c .Wasn'ti If a good idea for Kate to dro
the blue rlboon and send him after 1t
said she.
) Kate was a goose ever TO let him g
into the wagon said Leeman kinittir
- his brow.
.Kste must not goby herself any mo
ef such long distance, said mother.
Ht And I drank my cup of tea and rest'
re myself, and went out afterward to s
I'd the new brood of darling little yello
chicks which Old Speckle had broug
OF off the nest during my absence.
~ Twas on my knees in the henhou
,g feeding them from the palm OF n
ne hand when heard mother calling I
is from the house.
,s- Kate Kate come up at one! U
rs Hay has arrived
ke Col. Hayr
1 started up, looking with blank dl
wv NAV at my calico dress and the m'
1 stains on my hands.
.pt However, there was nothing Tor
nd but to obey the summons SO WI
IN up to the house.
A sort of blurr seemed to come
ID fore NV eyes as 1 entered the slttl
mo room and heard mother saying
10 Col. Hay, this is my eldest dauget
~, Kate
II I knew the man had twice before ST
ans that day-the pale, tired traveller VIII
he- I had so reckIessly abandoned IN
tbe middle of the Red Swamp.
Ibeg your pardon. Col. hay
if cried impulsively. / thought You wei
me thief
Ike The burst of laugher that follo'
of from every inmate of the room effee
sps allv scattered all embarrassment.