The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-02-06


"Ahl Is that sol Well, it's too bad.
Mighty pretty leetlo feller. Here, Chet,"
called the farmer to ragged, dirty urchin,
Uho was running about in the yard, 'go in
the house an tell yer nav that thar's
CONT an leetle boy here what want their
breakfast; an then you come back an feed
this hoss.n
"An right, answered the boy, runningt to
the house.
With feeling Of almost complete ex-
haustion, Allen dsmounted. When the
farmer took the poor child from the saddle
be could scarcely stand. Our hero took the
bhild's hand In his and led him to the house,
where both sank down in chairs.
Tho farmer remained behind to see that
tho horse was properly fed and curried by
Chet
: "I tell We that boss hez bin rid mighty
bard,n said the farmer, shaking his head
knowingly. "That feller amt pulled the
wool over my eyes as much as he thinks he
hez. I'm goin' 10 larn somethin' about him,
Cause there's a screw loose shore"
With this end in view he went TO the
house, and while coffee was grinding and
hneat frying for breakfast, he proceeded TO
lnterrogate the traveller. But he was met
By wits much shrewder than his own, his
eyery thrust was successfully parried by o
satisfactory explanation, and making no
boadway he was soon almost ready TO give
kup.
"Hed purity hard ride" said the farm
Or.
avery the traveller answered.
"Dark, too, warn't itl"
"Rather. We had O moon late In the
night though IL was very feoble moon and
soon followed by the sun"
"6artinly. Didn't travel much afore the
moon risi"
"oh no." was the evasive answer.
"Good boss, thought"
"An excellent traveller"
"How much dye Civ fur himm
"He Ia not mine. He was loaned me to
pal1e this journey"
"Must rid him purity hardr
"I had 10 ride hard We will barely get
thece In time nown
A door from the kitchen opened at this
moment, and the tangled head ofthe woman
was thrust into the ap rtment TO announce
That breakfast was ready.
"Walk in, stranger; l rockn yer leetle
boy is kinder hungry
"He must be very hungry, for l feel faint
and weak myself"
Allen touched tho shoulder OF the dumb
boy, who was sitting as motiouless as II he
bad been carved from stone, and the little
Fellow turned his wearied eyes upon him.
He motioned 10 tho child TO come, and Ire
rose and followed him to the dining room,
where they ate their breakfast.
Never did man eel less like riding
across the country, but delays were dan.
eerous, aud IL parties were In pursuit they
might overtake him before they reached
their destination.
Settling his bill be ordered his horse, and
mounting with the littlo boy before him
they continued their journey. The child
gave evidences OF soreness from continued
aravel, but Allen made him TO understand
that their journey would soon terminate
aud the little fellow become quiet.
Galloping down hilly road they turned
Into long lane On every side could bt
heard the merry whistle Of the plow-boy
mingled with the song OF the lark. They
crossed a considerable strip Of prairie, anC
were refreshed by the gentle breeze sweep
Eng over IL
"Poor little fellow said Allen, when b.
discovered how haggard the child was be
coming. "0h, how wish you were at thu
md Of your journey"
The prairie was about four miles wide
They had crossed IL and were entering
grove OF trees when, CHANGING 10 look back
he saw two horsemen about three miles 1
his rear coming OF full speed.
Pursued" cried Allen. The child dis
covering the horsemen, O look OF tcrro
spread over his infantie face, and, utterin
strange cries, no began kicking tho sides 0
tbs horse.
Allen increased the speed at which the
Fero going, as much as he dared, KNOWN
1hat o 6ve-mlle journey was before them.
They passed O teamster. who turned hi
eyes inquiringly upon the fugltives, bu
asked no questions, and Allen kept steadil
bn, sosn losing the wagner TO view by
bend In the road.
About mile further on they overlook
boy, OF whom Allen inquired the distanc
10 Frenchtown.
a,Bout three miles this way; tain
more'n half as fur, though, Of ye take u
nigh way ahead here.n
How far are we from the nigh wayi'
Allen asked.
apBout a quarter"
"Talse me 10 H. and put me on the rig
scad, and IwiIl give you dollar for yo'
froubie."
The boy. highly pleased To earn dollar
eAsijy, whipped bis thin sorrel 70 2 galo