Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-09-05

IS on ordinary dollars, and then he saw,
below the bust. the bold, unmistakablc
figures, "1S04m
No wonder ne was agitated. In his
hand was perfect specimen of the most
the realization Of his drcaml
1t was Harry's first impulse to rush
cxultantly down to his home and to his
mothers bedside and there proclaim his
extraordinary wealth; but another sent;-
mcnt, after struggle, prevailed, and he
went slowly back toward the hut, re-
solved to explain to the old miser the
value of the coin which he had been
hoarding so many long ycars-perhaps
since it was coincd-and return it to him
in exchange for another Of the value III.
tended to be impaired.
When he knocked mt the door the old
man thrust out his head with the savage
inquiry, "What is wantcds"
you've given me dollar worth five
hundred times dollar" Harry began tc
explain. "Imean to say" he stammcrcd
on, 'you can sell this for five hundred
dollars, or moro"
"You'rc crazy" cried the old hermit.
"Clcar out! You can get no more money
out Of me. Clear out"
He slammed the door. Again Harry
started down the mountain His stem
was lighter now. He mad done his duty,
his conscience was for the moment clear.
Indignant at his rude treatment, at thu
dcspicablc insult, he ma ic up his mind
he would not again attempt TO explain
the peculiar value of the coin to the
ignorant miscr. The dollar of 1904 was
his-his very own!
Halfway on the steep descent he mel
Sam Ragland, who bore, in addition te
his gun and cartridgc-belt, brown-pa
per parcel. Sam was, as usual, accom-
panied by his unsghtly dog.
'ryc brought you the shoes" was TIM
young hunters greeting 81 went t.
yer house. but yoa WAS SO long comm
concluded to hunt We up. I'm on my way
to Carriers Pond now, and | want thcI
dollar to buy ammunition"
Harry gave II detailed explanation OF
the circumstances which prevented his
parting with that precious silver coin.
He tried to impress upon Sam an idea of
its wonderful value, and he promised him
that i'll Il few days, as soon rs he could
sell the coin, he would take the shoes as
he had agreed but the youthful rough
was obduratc.
"You'rc Il fool" was the cpithet he
hurled ut Harry. "You cant trifle with
me! Gimme thct dollar"
Harry's lips closed resolutcly rs he
drew back from the bully He would
resist the outrage with all his power He
attempted 10 thrust the dollar into his
pocket, but it slipped from his fingers,
and went rolling down the mountain
sidc
Harry sprsng forward after his treasure,
but RaSland blocked his way, and in turn
lcapcd after the coin. But he, too, was
anticipated -
The dog seized the rolling silvcr-picce
in his mouth, and dashed down the de-
clivity at full speed
After him ran the boys, Sam calling to
him to stop in harsh, loud tones; but the
dog thought it evidently all play and did
not obey. =
Harry was in despair. His precious
dollar would certainly be lost. The dog
would drop it at some spot where it would
never be found; or, if not that, Sam
would get it, and spend it for ammuni-
ton, and in either case his loss would be
irrcvocabic.
sam followed the animal as fast ms he
could, and Harry kept at his heels, all
the while trying to out-distancc him.
Finally, when the bottom of the noun
tain had been reached, Harry made 4
squirt and got past his awkward enemy; ;
but the dog was getting farther and far
ther ahead.
The race into the village was frantic
and desperate one. Down the main
street of the town they went, causing
more CONSERVATION than the place had
known in many days
The race ended presently in dog
fight. Between Highlands dog and
another cur of the village there was al
uncndirg cnmity, and whenever the two
met they fought with great ferocity.
AS the mischievous animal, with
Harry's fortune in his mouth, dashed
gayiy down the street, his canine enemy
made his appearance, and Immediately
there was sharp contest between
them
While the combat ragged aud spectators
were gathering, Harry reached the scene
Just time to perceive "Jcdge" Bloom,
the village Justice of the Peace, pick up
his bright dollar from the ground where
the dog had relinquished it,
cts mine, Jedse!" he had Just enough
breath left to grasp the words, and the
Justice graciously placed the coin in his
hand without question.
When Sam arrived his interest in the
dollar was for the moment suspended by
the necessity of a quick interference to
save his dog from being worried. When
at last he got the two beasts separated,
Harry was safely at home, and he gave up
his trip to Carriers Pond in disgust.
Harry wrote to the Boston dealer in
coins, and gave description of his 1904
dollar, and of the strange circumstance
by which it came into his possession. In
reply he received, Il few days later, this
letter.