Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-02-06
a TERRIBLE RISK.

morrow at Zenas Bakers"
well. look here" said Abram
Ayers, the ticket agent, do you mind
my leaving this tin box here until to-
morrow afternoon. The road is dead
blocked with yesterdays snow-drift-
an awful time for your poor mother
to be buried in, Selenda, wasn't it p
and I've been telegraphed to go down
to Quarter-Mile Junction to take old
Jones's place He's frozen his fingers
and can't handle the ticker. Of course
I've got to go on muleback, and this
hanged box is too heavy to carry, be-
sides the probability of its attracting
attention among those brutes of
miners who would cut a mans throat
TO get his toothpick -
What is it, Abram?' she asked,
with curious glance at the battered
tin receptacle.
He glanced cautiously around, and
leaning forward so that his lips near
ly approached her ear, whisper ed the
two monosyllables
Gold coin y
Selendas eyes sparkled. She lifted
the box and set it softly down again.
"All that said she.
In the whole course of her life she
had never seen so much.
ITO be forwarded to Ditson's Bank
by express" explained Ayers, still in
q whisper But there can't no eI-
press come through so long as the
road is blocked. And the blamed box
has got to be taken care of some
where until tomorrow, when Ditson
people will come for it. Your house
is the only one within mile of the
station, and / reckon it'll be safe
here"
Selenda smiled.
II shouldn't wonder" said she.
Nobody will think of looking for
box of gold here"
Just then the outer door creaked-
the cat came in, carrying miserable
half-frozen squirrel between her
teeth.
But all the same said Abram,
you'd best keep the doors bolted!
''Oh, I'll do that" said Selenda. Il
have no heart to see anything. It's
hardly an hour since they carried
poor mothers corpse out"
Whats that standing up in the
corner OF the bedroom ~ asked Ayers,
with start. "A clock p
No" said Selenda, Its coffin.
Father always keeps it there. It's
for himself. He's carved and polished
it at odd times. See how it shines
It's real cherry, solid all through.
He says he likes to look at it of nights
when he wakes up and can't get to
sleep again. | don't mind it; but it
always used to make poor mother
nervous"
Ayres shivered.
II don't wonder" said he. Your
father was always a peculiar man.
But, Selenda, you're sure you're not
afraid p
Afraid ? Why, what is there to be
afraid of ?"
Il most wish your father had been
at home" added Ayres, thoughtful
ly.
1T is not necessary" said calm Sc
lenda. Il can take care Of your prec-
ions tin box, Abram."
You're the pluckiest girl out, Sc
lenda, and the best. And if ever I'm
able to keep wife, if ever the COM
pany puts my salary up
Nonsense, Abe Goodbye"
And Selenda Griffin shut the door
in his face.
Abram Ayres went whistling on his
way, thinking Of Selenda's hazel eyes,
and of the probability of his one day
calling her his own-went whistling
on his way through the waist-deep
drifts of snow to the opening OF the
mountain gorge where he had tied
his patient mule. The sun, bursting
out from below lowhanging fringe
of purple-black cloud, dazzied his
ewes. the keen wind seemed to push
him back. as with icy hands.
As he passed into the shadow OF
copse of black-green spruces an old
buffalo skin was flung suddenly over
his head, he was tripped up, falling
heavily on one shoulder.
He tried TO struggle, to call out, but
the robe was frightened around him
like straight jacket, his mouth was
full of NANCY fur.
You'll hardly get your salary
raised this year, old chap chuckled
a deep voice, mot if the company
can't depend on you no better than
this. Lay still now-lay still. There
amt no good forping about, not un-
less you want TO get hurt. Take him
into the woods, boys. Lay him down
alongside the fire. | amt no special
friend o. hisn, but | don't want no
fellow to be froze to death"
In vain were the poor ticket agents
frantic struggles. Helpless as an in
FAINT he was laid down on the trUd-
den. half-thawed snow beside huge
camp fire, whose roaring and crack
ling came with muffled sound TO bis
ear. In an instant his mind had
grasped the situation. These half
civilized miners bad in some way be-
come aware of the bank of gold. and
were determined to possess them