Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-04-09
WAYLAID.


The window was high from the ground,
and the disreputable looking tramp who
had entered the garden heard Mr.. Stock
wells remark and came to a stop on the
graveled walk.
Neither Mr.. Stockwell nor his trusted
clerk, Chip Ferris. saw him as he half
crouched beneath the open window, from
which place their tones were plainly
audible.
Mr.. Stockwell had the largest grocery
in Lebanon, and Chip Ferris, though only
II years old, was his right hand man.
He owned another grocery in Milldale,
o thriving little village eight miles away,
and Chip had just been directed by him
to 90 over and collect the months re-
ceipts from the man in charge.
"Tell Hanley I'll be in Milldale to see
him just as soon as can get out of the
house, said Mr.. Stockwell, who had been
overcome by his old remedy, the rheu-
matism. "Tve instructed him in the note
to turn over the collections to you, and
IL any stock is needed he can let you
know"
The man at the window did not wait
TO hear more, but went noiselessly to the
gate, all thought of begging removed
from his mind.
A companion, as ragged and vicious
looking as himself, stood waiting for
him some distance down the street.
"What kept you so long?" he growled.
"Any luckT"
II should say 30" was the response.
"You didn't get any money, did your"
"No, but we'll soon have plenty if we
manage things right"
And he proceeded to cenfde what he
had overheard, ,whereat the other worthy's
eyes glistened.
"Well, that is luck, and no mistake"
he said. eff he's only boy it will be as
easy as rolling off a log. There he GENES
now"
At that moment Chip Ferris was clos
ing Mr.. Stockwell's gate.
He walked down the street in the di-
rection Of the two men, giving them no
more than casual glance as he passed
by, for tramps were no rarity in Lebanon.
"Those fellows are pretty rough look
ing customers" he thought. "It'sa won
der the constable hasn't got them"
It was 8 o'clock then, and he went to
the stable in the rear of the shop and
harnessed the horse to light vehicle.
The drive to Milldale was pleasant
one, and Chip enjoyed the prospect of it
exceedingly.
About a mile from town, resting un-
der leafy tree by the roadside, were
the two tramps he had seen some time
before.
"Hello!" he said to himself. There
are those fellows again. / wonder what
they're up to now."
He passed by in q cloud of dust, and,
looking back, saw that an animated con-
versation had suddenly sprung up be-
tween the two.
Somehow Chip got it into his head that
they were talking about him.
"They can't know about the money,
Of course" he said, uneasily. "Such
men look evil enough to do anything"
When he reached Milldale he was dis
appointed to learn that Mr.. Hanley had
gone into the country to look at colt
that he thought of purchasing.
The money was locked up in the safe
and he had the key with him, SO that
there was nothing for Chip to do but to
wait for his return, which he did with Q
good deal Of impatience.
1t was nearly o'clock and the sun
was far down in the west when Mr..
Hsnley came back, and Chip lost no
time in transacting with him the busi.
ness on which he had come.
"Better stay with me to supper, Chip"
said Mr.. Hanley. "There'l be a moon
at 8 to light you back"
"No, thank you," said Chip. II don't
want to be out late with this money.
I'll just take some bread and cheese with
me-"
He bade Mr.. Hanley good-by, and,
giving his horse the reins, was soon
going at a smart pace through Milldale,
until the last of the struggling houses at
its outskirts was left far behind.
The sun sank behind the distant blue
hills and twilight came on.
"It won't be long now before it's dark"
said Chip. 81 hope ! won't meet those
tramps again. They'd stop me in min
ute If they thought had SO much money
about me-"
AS the light faded he grew more nerv-
ous, and, with an idea in his head, he
reined in the horse to carry it out, first
looking around to satisfy himself that
no one was in sight.
In his pocket was copy Of the village
paper, which he carefully tore into strips
the size of bank notes.
He selected from the roll Of notes Mr..
Hanley had given him four of the least
valuable and wrapped them around the
strips, placing them in his pocketbooL.
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 If they should try to rob me this DO.
gus roll may fool them"
| He was half way home when he came