The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-22
A TERRIBLE RIDE.
DY WILLIAM II. GRAYCON.

tsNow then, Dave, reckon that's
about all. Don't fcrgit the terbacker, an
don't fail ter inquire if thar's any letters
fur Abram Bartlett" and glarirS at Dave
over his great horn spectaclcs, Mr.. Bart
lett leaned over the counter and slowly
repeated the last clause.
ayes, sir" answered Dave, struggling
hard to keep back smile, for Mr.. Bart
iett's anxiety about letters was standing
Soke at Dagon's Cross Roads, as he was
never known to have received one yet.
"And where are you expectin' letter
from, Mr.. Bart!ctt?' Dave asked.
The storekeeper's brow wrinkled and
he hesitated between anger and amaze
nent at such audacity. Before he could
seply the door opened and Squire Dagon
came in.
"Going to Wysanking, Dave?" he
asked abruptly.
ayes, sir"
''Now sec here, my boy" went on the
squire, pulling out bulky-looking pocket
book. II think I can trust you, and I
want you to attend to little business
for me. I ought to go to Wysanking
myself to-day, but find it impossible. In
this pocket-book is the money to pay the
2oggers over in Powell's Valley. There
are three hundred dollars in currency
there, and want you to give it to Ned
Harkins, the boss. He must have it to-
day so he can go up to Towanda and get
tt changed to pay the men off on Satur-
day. You will find him at the postofiice.
You have an inside pocket there. Put it
N that, and button your jacket tightly.
/ guess there is no risk" and the squire
Booked uneasy for minute. "Of course
not," he added with a laugh. "Nobody
knows you have it. Better 60 now. Nc
time to waste if you want to get back to-
night" and with his own hands the
Dquire put the money in Dawes pocket
and buttoned up the ragged jacket.
''Ill deliver the money all right, Mr..
Dagon," he said resolutely, as he started
toward the door.
"Now, Dave" called out Mr.. Bartlett,
Stdon't fergit ter AK the postmaster il
there's any" but Dave was already out
Of hearing.
"Dave Hunter is an honest lad" OBJ
served the squire, lighting cigar. "The
money will be safe enough with him,
guess"
bIr. Bartlett took pinch of snuff, and
drawled out slowly: ''Waal, yes 1 reckon
he is. But he's gettin' impudent, squire,
declar' he's gcttin' impudcnt."
The squire only laughed, and with q
CHEEKY "good morning." mounted his
horse and rode off to visit his lumbe.
camps.
Dave felt as happy as lark as he
4rudged off down the valley, pulling an
empty sled behind him. His father had
been killed by an accident several years
before at one of Squire Dagon's lumber
camps, and ever since Dave had beer
working hard to support his mother. Hi
did odd bits of work for Mr.. Bartlett
who kept the rude store at Dagon's Cros:
Roads, a backwoods settlement five miles
from the river Nearly every week hi
went to Wysanking across the Susquc
hanna, and brought back such supplies
IS the loggers purchased of Mr.. Bartlett
But Dave was only sixteen, and with
out Squire Dagons kindly help he would
have struggled in vain.
'My gracious" he said half aloud a:
he slapped his hands to his breast, "wha,
heap of money! If that was mine II
buy mother new dress an shawl, an
Iots to eat, an I'd 60 to school at To,
wanda, an have an ovcrco2t, an brcccl
2oader gun an" but Dawes air castle:
suddenly vanished as he looked up and
ssw where he was.
For beyond him ran the valley, the
beaten footpath through the snow grow
mg DINNER and DINNER till lost in the
hazy distance. But above him, up tho
steep mountain side crept zigzag road.
This led up to the summit, and thence
along the crest to lumber slide over
looking the river.
Both the slide and the road had been
N disusc for several years, but an icy
crust was on the STOW, and Dave knew
that by taking this course he could save
q good mile at least. He remembered
also that near the slide a gradual foot
path led down to the river. He hcsitatcd
only an instant, and then started up the
mountain.
He rested q while at the top, and then
vent on along the ridge. On both sides
was the unbroken forest, and here and
there great masses of stone piled up in
fantastic shapes. 1t was wild, lonely
place, but Dave had not thought Of
fear. He could hear the mountain tor,
cent brawIing over its rocky bed away