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

man who appeared in these very woods,
and Chip could not help recalling it with
a shudder in spite Of its utter improba-
bility.
Suddenly the horse SHE'D, and the
startled boy caught sight of two dark
figures lying in wait at the side of the
road.
The horse gave leap forward, but a
hand 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," gruff
voice said. "Just you give up that
money you got at Milldale or it will go
hard with you"
"How do you know l got any money!
asked Chip, with fast beating heart,
for he saw the CLEAN of revolver that
was in the mans hand.
'None of that" replied the rascal an
grily. "You just give it up, that's all.
If you don't you'll never drive this wagon
again"
Chip took his pocketbook out with
trembling fingers, and the man greedily
snatched it from him.
you'll let me gonow, won't your the
boy pleaded.
mot much," said the robber coolly.
"Get out of that vehicle, and don't waste
any time about it. Do you hear me?"
With shaking limbs Chip obeyed and
submitted to a thorough search of his
pockets, after which he was bound, with
his arms behind him, to tree.
"There, I 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?'' his COM
panion asked.
EYES," was the reply. eff we hadn't
used up all the matches trying to get a
light for our pipes I'd count what was in
the pocketbook."
The two rogues jumped into the vehi-
Gle and drove off in the direction of Mill
dale, leaving Chip straining and tugging
at the rope that bound him.
His fear that the robbers would return
when they discovered the deception that
had been practiced upon them made him
almost frantic, but all his efforts to free
himself were in vain.
Helpless and exhausted he awaited the
outcome, turning paleat every noise that
he heard in the woods.
He was as brave as any ordinary boy,
but beads of perspiration were on his
brow and his hair almost stood up on
enc. when at length he hear1 the omin-
ous sound of wheels drawing near.
Good graciousp he said in terror
"It's they; and they'll kill me-"
Nearer and nearer came the sound,
and then, as the vehicle passed by, there
was sudden transition from despair to
hope.
''stopr' cried Chip wildly. "Help,
helpl"
"Who is it? a startled voice called
back. "What are you doing there?"
"It's I-Chipman Ferris, said the boy.
''Two men, who tried to rob me, have
tied me to tree"
He heard some one alight, and the
next moment footsteps came crashing to-
ward him.
Chip was overjoyed to recognize Mr..
Bolton, a farmer well known to him.
"How did you come to get in such a
fix, Chip" he asked, as with a few cuts
of his knife he released him from his un-
comfortable position.
Chip explained to Mr.. Bolton how he
had been waylaid, and the farmer said
Indignantly:
1.-The villains! They must have taken
the road to Maiden, for l didn't pass
them"
Just as they were getting Into the far
mer's vehicle they heard the sound of
angry voices from behind.
"Quick, Mr.. Bolton!" cried Chip, ex-
citedly. "They are armed, and they are
coming back"
The farmer needed no urging, but
gave his horse the whip.
AS they few on they still heard the
desperate men venting their rage in
angry threats, and they knew they were
in hot pursuit.
They emerged into the open, and look
ing back in the light Of the moon that
had risen, Chip could see the men as
they beat their jaded horse in their ef-
fort to overtake them.
The rascals shouted out for them to
stop, and discharged their revolvers to
intimidate them, but Mr.. Bottoms horse
was the fresher of the two, and they
soon gave up the chase.
Chip was glad when he saw at length
the lights of Lebanon shining out from
ahead, and it was not long before every
one in the village knew of the attempted
robbery.
The constable and several men at
once started out to arrest the tramps
and found the horse and vehicle aban-
doned by the roadside, the men having
feared capture and taken to the woods.
But the telegraph is effective, and the
very next day tho robbers were arrested
in another county and got the punish.
ment they 60 richly deserved. New
York World.
He Didn't Purchase the Shoes.
1t was nearly 6 o'clock one evening
when a gentleman annarantlv 90 vears