Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-08-16
NARROW ESCAPE.
A Narrow Escape from an IgnOminiOus
Death.
by NEWTON H. WINS.

Eastern nursery. The territory ovel
which had worked lay in the South
western part of Missouri. Although the
country, generally speaking, is noun
famous in some portions, yet found il
very good field for canvassing fol
nursery stock of all kinds.
Having affected a successful canvass,
and the season for delivering the stock
having arrived, 1 now made preparatory
arrangements to further that end by
securing the services of some man and
his team in each locality to haul and
deliver the stock throughout the
vicinity In which he lived.
In remote part of the territory over
which I had cauvassed, some fifteen
miles from the railroad, lived man by
the name of James Pratt. While can
wasting through that section I had
made arrangement with him to deliver
all the stock which had sold in the
country contiguous to him; and having
now come to that part of the delivery,
], one morning, found myself ready to
set out from the point on the railroad
where my stock had been shipped to
his place of residence, to acquaint him
of that fact.
There was stage running through
the country, which passed within about
two miles of Prstt's place, but as it did
not start until about ten o'clock in the
morning, determined not to wait for
it, and accordingly set out afoot.
That regretted this rash proceeding,
the reader will undoubtedly agree with
me, if he takes the trouble to peruse
this short recital to the end. The
country was rough and billy. and 1
soon became aware that it would be
long and tedious journey to make on
foot. Besides it was a warm day,
although in the month of October, and
the roads were dry and dusty.
had not made more than four or five
miles of my trip, when found was
getting well warmed up, and I began
to feel considerably fatigued. 1 now
saw what blunder 1 had made in not
waiting for the stage, and was half
tempted to sit down by the roadside
and wait for it to overtake me.
was about to seat myself upon
comfortable looking log which lay
alongside the road, when, glancing back,
I deserted in the distance cloud of
dust, from amidst which moment later
emerged span of horses and carriage
coming up the road at a lively pace. I
gazed for some moments with curiosity
at the approaching vehicle, for such
outfits as that were rarely seen in
that part of the country. Then it
suddenly occurred to me that here
might be a chance to get ride. With
this idea I leisurely resumed my jour
ney, that might accept a ride in case
it were proffered.
/ had but few moments to wait.
The team was coming on at pace that
showed them to be good travellers, and
before. l was fairly aware of it they were
abreast of me. The next instant they
came to stand, and the cheerful voice
of the occupant of the carriage called
out:
"Howdy, stranger? Have ride?"
With grateful thank you" sprang
into the carriage, and a moment
later we were whirling along the
dusty road at bresk-neck
pace that seemed much more cheerful
to me than my fatiguing walk had
been.
Although l was somewhat struck by
the uncouth appearance of my new
friend, / dismissed it from nv mind in
q moment, for felt so grateful for the
exceeding good luck that had CHANGED
to overtake me that was not choice IS
to the source whence it came. He was
shsbbily dressed in suit of clothes of
the commonest material, and his pecul-
lar drawing, slsngy way of expression
was in fit keeping with his dress. His
face seemed to have an unusually anx-
ious expression upon it, and occasionally
he would glance back over his shoulder
as though fearful of som ething or some
body in pursuit.
he inquired of me where I was trav-
cling, and asked why did not hire
horse or take the stage. l replied by
stating substantially what the reader
already knows.
The horses he was driving we're high
spirited animals, yet, at short intervals
he piled the whip vigorously, causing
them to leap forward each time with in
creased speed. And anon he would
cast tina. suspicious glance backward,
till at length began to feel that some
thing was wrong, and with some anxiety
i inquired:
why do you keep looking back?"
With a sinister smile and another
glance backward, he replied:
%Pm looking for some friends that
wouldn't be surprised to see following
me-"
"Tbere is little danger of their over
taking you if you keep on at this pace.
Il don't know about that, he re-
joined with dubious shake of the
head.
observed that the horses began to
show signs of fatigue, and still he urged
them forward as though life depended
upon their utmost exertions. And such |
indeed, proved to be the incentive that |
caused him to 80 cruelty urge the will
ing animals on.