South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-07-24

~ JUST take some bread and cheese
With me.
lie babe Mr. Hanlev good by, and.
giving his horse the reins, vas soon
going &C q smart pace through Mills
dale. until the last Of the sirasgline
houses at its outskirts was left far
behind.
The sun sank behind the distant
blue hills and twIliga, came on.
IL won't he long now before It's
dark said Chip. l hope I won't
meet those tramps again. They'd
stop me in minute IL they thought
had so much money about me.
AS the light faded he grew more
nervous, and. with an idea Ia his
bead he reined in the horse to carry
It out. first looking around TO satisfy
himself that no one was Ia sight.
In bis pocket was q copy OF the
village pape', which he carefully tore
into strips the size OF bank notes.
He selected from the roll o. notes
Mr.. Hanlsy had given him four of
the least valuable and wrapped them
around the strips. placing them in
his pocketbook.
The money he hid IN one Of his
shoes.
Perhaps I'm over cautious, he told
himself, with q smile. Those men
have likely enough taken another
road but il they should Try to rob me
this bogus role may fool them.
He Was half way home when he
came to large tract Of woods, Though
which the road passed for some dis
lance.
The thick foliage Of the over hang.
ing trees shut out the sight and the
road was 30 bad that Chip Was oblig-
ed to let the horse walk.
Thera was an absurd story which
had been current Of beadless hofses
man who appeared in these very
woods, and Chip could not help re-
calling 1t with a shudder in spite OF
its utter impro6ability.
Suddenly the horse shied, and the
startled boy caught sight OF two
dark figures lying in wait at the SIDE
OF the road.
The horse gave q leap forward, but
q baud seized the bride and swerved
the animal to one side, so that the
vehicle was nearly overturned in the
deep rut.
No, you don't, youngster. a gruff
voice said. Just you give up that
money you got at Milldale or it will
60 hard with you.
How do you know I got any non
ey 2 asked Chip, with . fast beating
heart. for he saw the CLEAN of a re-
vo.ver that was in the mans hand.
None OF that, replied the rascal
angrily. You just give it up, that's
all. Ii you don't you'll never drive
this wagon again.
Chip took his rocketbook out with
trembling fingers. and the man greed.
lily snatched it from him.
You'll let me 60 now, won't you 4?
the buy pleaded.
Not much, said the robber, coolly.
Get out of that vehicle, and don't
waste any time about it. Do you
hear me Z
With shaking limbs Chip obeyed,
and submitted 10 thorough search of
his pockets, after which he WAS bound,
with his arms behind him, TO a tree.
There, ] fancy that'll do. said the
man. with chuckle. Turn the vehi.
Gle round. Bill. and let's be off.
Are you sure you've got all 2 his
companion asked.
Yes, Was the reply. IL we hadn't
used up all the matches trying to get
a light for our pipes I'd count what
wac iu the pccketLook.
The two rogues jumped into the
vehicle and drove off 10 the direction
OF Miiidsle, leaving Chip strainiug
and tugging a. the rope that hound
him.
His fear that the robbers would re.
turn when Lhey discovered the decep.
ton thst bad been pracIiced upon
them mado him almost frantic, but
all bis efforts to free himself were
In vain.
Helpless and exhausted he awaited
the outcome, turning pale ct every
noise that be heard in the woods.
He was ss brave as any ordinary
boy, but beads OF Precipitation we're
on his brow and hrs hair almost stood
up on end wbeu at length he heard
tue ominouJ sound OF wheels dIaw.
ing near.
Good gracious he said In terror,
It's they and they'll kill me
Nearer and nearer came the sound,
and then, as the vehicle posed by,
there was a sudden transition from
despair to hope.
Stopi cried Clip, wildly, Help,
helpI
Who Is n2 startled voice called
back. What are you doing there2
It's I--Chipman Ferris, said hs.
Two men who tried to ROB me have
tied me to tree.
lie heard some one alight, and the
next moment footsteps came crashing
toward him.
Chip was overjoyed to recognize
Me-. Bolton, farmer we'll known 10
him.
How did you come to get IN such
hx, Cbip2 be asked. as with q few
cute Of bis knife he released hi n from
bis uncomfortable position.
CHIP explained to Mr. Bolton how