South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-04-25

With Some Notes About a Brindle
Cow, Highwayman and Thrift
~ Farmer.

-" W. "ous story, cnilure0 Well,
be quiet. and you shall hear abou. good
OLD farmer man who lives ia New namp-
shire, but the story isn't all about the
farmer nor bis LAM, for il duplicates a
Boston boy-the farmers hired hand.
lhis Boston boy was very fiy-what
some folks might call tough; he'd had
ms optic molars cut, and was somewhat
up 10 snuff, but yet he was square and
honest aud was never known to lie. aad
his only serious failing was his greed
Tor pumpkin pie. He dii his duty no.
Oily, was spry.and quick he never tried
70 shirk his task BY playing lame or sick
he never grumbled as the hash nor the
coffee-which was rye-but he never
was quite satisfied with his share of
pumpkin pie. The farmer loved him
IKE a son aud worked him very light
(ais TASK began at D A. NJ. and ended 8
ut nighi.) His name was Albert, but for
sho't The Old man called him Bert. be.
cause 1t dtin't take much time and rhym.
ed quite well with work. One summer
marn the old man rose at early candle
light and beloved for his Boston boy
with all his power and might. When
bert showed up the farmer ssid: 600
drive the brindle cow 20 Concord. for
I've sold her TO the butcher, Cyrus Dow.
He'll pay you $40 cash; he sure YOU
Keep 1t hid, for have heard there's rob.
bers round, as bold as Capt. Kidd. So
keep your wits about you, lad, and Let
your weather eye be on the watch for
roogaes and sharps, for they are awful
sly "
SO Albert ate his morning meal, pork
anu umpkln pie and washed il down
with ootieo strong--with coffee mat,e Of
rye-then lie hooted i. down to Concord
with the lean old brindle COW, when he
soon caught on the man he souoht-tbe
butcher. Cyrus Dow. The latter pajd
him for tho cow four golden eagles bright.
which Albert then proceeded TO hide
from mortal sight, for On his wav to
Concord, ne had studied upa plan to &c,
the best of sharps and crooks or stroll
Ing h'9hwaymen So he tucked the
Doodle carefully in the lini- g of his vest.
which brilliant racket cased his mind
and set his fears at rest, bu. alas for
human foresight, there's many a little
slip twiXt honest peoples fingers and
rogues dishonest grip. just as Albert
slipped the sugar in the lining of his
vest crook hal stopped outside TO take
a chew OF 'Jackwood's B>st.' Through
the window his quick eye had seen the
yellow eagles shine, and he Rugged him
sef and whispered, oh! that dus. will
soon be mine.
But, to turn the a1age end for end, it
snow there's many ship 'twixt rogues'
dishonest fingers aud honest people's
grip. Like the bunEo steerers' little
game they played on g. +. A, the best
laid plans of highwaymen will often 90
astFay. Our hero's business ended, he
tsrried there no more, but started on the
homeward route he oft had trod before.
TIE robber. mounted on his mare, jog
ged slowly on behind, while visions OF
those golden coins vent flashing through
his mind.
AS soon as Bert had reached q point
where The town was out of sight the rob-
Der overlook him, as any traveller might.
and with glad anticipation, which was
difficult to hide, he kindly asked our he.
70 If he wouldn't like TO rifle, AS Bert
vas rather weary with his long and te.
dious walk he didn't waste q moment in
Idle, useless talk, but lie straddlcd on
behind without. any more ado, and along
The country highway the horse AMI ri,
der flew. Thus they rode until they
came to n lonely, dismal wood. Now
said the bold highwayman. Pm not feel
ing in the mood to monkey any longer;
so tell you. plump and square. that
you mus; now disco. that vest or
climb the golden stair
Now, ] think | hintel once before that
Bert was very fly. 50 ho tumbled 30 the
racket IN the twinkling OF an eve; but
1T filed his honest bosom with sorrow.
tin5ed with shame, TO see how slick the
chap had dropped upon his little game.
But he Jidu't have a decent show to ar
que or dispute, for the villain plainly hint
ed that he wasn't 10th TO shoot; so he
ripped the lining from his vest and
snatcned ne money out, and amono he
grass and mullen stalks lie strewea IL
well about. Theh tn, highway mans
greediness his caution overbid: but
guess be thought that Albert was n CON.
;2on county kid at any rate he instan-
tly scrambled from his horse, not think
ing for moment that 'twould he 20 his
loss; but no sooner had ho bumped
10 gather up the gold than be
noticed that for crooks 1T least the day
was very cold for as | mentioned here
Lotoro, our Lad was veiy ifs, and he did.
mt stop week or two to BID his njbs
gOolby. The rObber cussed and threat.
cucd till bis face was black with rage,
but be didn't 10 bit OF GOOD, for Albert
held the age bat our hero gave him lots
OF time to settle in his mini what q
churP he was 70 order up and hen 20
it L'ind.'
To all his invitations for Bert 20 stop d |
dincBert thanked hin very kindly hui he !
really hadn't time;' end homci 10 his |
old master a noble mare he rod with !
plumber hanging tore aud aft 10 balance
up The load. The farmers wife sized /.
uP 10 the lad as lie came ridinL home. |
an :, 20 inform hsr husband, she rushed /
into the rooT. Tie oil man came limp |
ing out and bowling like o bear. The |
devil! Has my brindle COW been turned |
Into mare?' Not much old cove, the |
boy replied, I've sold your brindc Gov,
according TO instructions, TO the batch
er, Cyrus Dow: hut duirer Collared oil I
The dust, which don't think wos SQUARE