Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-05-03

go beyond Brame'S tonight"
1t was signed A Friend"
II don't know what it means. Good
night, Tarlow, I've got fourteen miles
before me-"
He rode on, keeping Driver well up to
his work. 1t was five miles to Squire
Brame's tavern; five miles of the same
dreary waste around and the same clog
ging sand under foot The road bent
more to the West now; it was fast grow
ing dark.
Two miles short of Brame's he caught
sight of wagon also going North. He
pushed the brown ahead to overtake it,
and coming up recognized the sturdy
person and gray hair of the stout old
Squire himself. The Squire was fast
friend of Prent's, and he was glad
enough to see him jogging home.
Hold up, Squire" he called. What's
your hurry?"
"Whoa, Bill" answered the Squire, in
his hearty voice. well, now, if it amt
Prent Broom"
"Giye S a ride, Squire been in the
saddle all day."
He dropped off Driver and got in with
the Squire.
81 want some advice, Squire" he said.
| ''Look here-or hold on; you can't see
it now, but I'll tell you what's int.
He read and explained the message.
Don't go beyond Brame's tonight"
the Squire repeated. "WelI, that's good
advice anyway, Prent. How much have
you got on your"
Nineteen thousand dollars and odd"
| "Whewr the old man whistled. "You
better take friends advice. Don't go
beyond Brame's tonight. Your horse
is tired, too. Look how he hangs back"
'But I've got to go home. Nell's all
alone"
"Then You better leave the money with
me-"
mo, no, Squire, amt going to get
you into any trouble like that. And,
besides, Pm going to town with it in the
morning. | won't lose sight of it any
way"
"Well, Prent, if you won't do that, I'll
tell you what, Put up Driver at my
house. I'll put your saddle on to my
roam mare, Skylark, and she'll take you
that nine miles in forty-fiye minutes
easy. Slip that package under the seat
here. You get on to Driver and ride in
slow. I'll cut round by Big Pines and
come in on the other road I'll stow
the money under the saddle for you; it'll
be safer there. Come, tumble out Whoa, |
Bill"
''Good, Squire, I'll do it, and thankful. !
I'm blest if you amt the cleverest old
trump that's going"
''Oh, sof' soaps cheap, Prent None O.
that Sort
He whipped up his horse and skurried
away through the sand Prent came
among the hills now; the land was much I
better; the sand and scrub pines and oaks
dropped behind. There were cultivated |
fields on either hand, here and there a
house. He came to the Big Pines cross
road, and could dimly see Bills fresh
tracks turning off to the left. He held
straight on mile, over the Madden hills,
and so down to where the road ends at
the broad middle pike Then West half |
mile to the little hamlet of Fillmore,
with Brame's tavern in the center. AS
he rode up to the door old Brame came
out of the courtyard at the left. He
came up.
"How do, Prent?" he called, in his
loud, CHEEKY voice. DGlad to see We.
Where y bound now? Been rather Civ
in it to Driver amt We? Have him rub
bed down and eat some oats fore v go
on"
There were several idlers hanging
about. Broom took his cue. He said
nothing about the roam mare
swell, Squire, guess l will come in a
Bit" he said.
The hostler took away Driver to the
stable. They went in.
'Come inside and have bite" says
the Squire.
And Prent followed him through the
bar into an inner room.
"Prent," said the Squire, 81 don't like
the looks of things at all. There's been
a stranger here tonight in buggy. He
was dressed in the best: had beaver on,
and leg O. mutton whiskers and long
hair. Looks amazin' like a swell parson,
only parsons don't gin'ally sit in hotel
parlors and smoke cigars, with their legs
on to the table, and drink no end of
brandy hot and hot. He went off just
now. l say don't like it, Prent"
"Can'thelp it, Squire, 1 said. 81 must
go on
(There-it's out at last. So, gentles,
by your leave, we'u drop this round
about third person for the downright
first. My name is Prentiss Broom.
"Well, if you must" he said, ''look
here"
He showed me pad of tow cloth,
made up to fit under saddle. It was
stuffed with wool; he ripped one side
with his knife and showed me.
"Now, I'll put the money in place of
this wool. Don't fear No one can hear
or see us here Your saddle is worn
thin; this will fit under it prime. I'll
fix it myself. Let me see your arms"
l showed him my pistol, Colts make,
six barrels
"All charged?' he asked.
/ nodded.
He examined it carefully, nipple and
trigger.
you'll do, guess, he said. "Prent
Broom he asked seriously, "there's one
word l want to say to you. It's one
thing to be brave, and another to be
rash. When you turn off the pike to-
night put Skylark into run, and give
her her head. Don't stop her for man
or devil till you're safe home. If any
one tries to stop you drive her at him
and fire. If anything serious happens
let the mare go and give in. She'll
bring the money to me if she can.
"Now, sit down and eat; I'll have the
mare round in five minutes"
/ mounted her at the door. Old
Brame whispered:
Take care, Prent, and remember
Nell"
"Good night, Squire" l called, and
started down the pike. 1t was mile to
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