Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-11-25

fathers farm on the east we boys very
naturally became quite intimate. Tom
was splendid Fellow, full of fun,
good natured and well-meaning; but
somewhat given to Dragging. He was
all the time telling us, that is the few
boys of "our neighborhood, what he
would do If anyone should attempt to
break into his house or to rob him; and
how he would behave himself il band
of yelling Indians or great grizzly
bear or roaring lion should suddenly
confront him in the lonely woods. In
fact, | think Tom had planned just
how to meet every sort of danger, and
his plans certainly were good, for they
always brought him out with colors
flying, and that is more than can be
said of some of those old-fashioned
heroes like Kit Carson and Daniel
Boone. In time we boys came to think
of Tom as a very great hero indeed,
who only wanted the opportunity to
render his name immortal
One evening, just as l had finished
milking my last COW and was about to
toss the milk-stool into the fence cor
ner, voice called ovt: "Hullo, Bill
just look little out how you shy that
mi,k-stool in this direction" and saw
Tom standing with both hands on the
top board of the fence, near the corner,
ready to spring over. With light
bound he was over the fence and by my
side.
"Say, Bill" he said, as he took hold
Of the heavy milk pail to assist me in
carrying it to the house, "can you &c
to Madison with me tomorrow"
ITO Madison?" / asked, in surprise
for that city was twenty miles away and
only vlsitod by the farmers herea bouts
on important occasions. whats uE
Mt the capital city? Hain't been 'lected
to the legislature, have you?" inquired
jolsingly, half doubling his being il
earnest.
"No-but-well, You see," answered
Tom, tomorrow is my sixteenth birth
day, and father handed me twenty
dollar bill tonight and told me that
might take old Bess and drive to Madi
son tomorrow and buy me new sui
of clothes with the twenty dollars for
birthday present. | am to stay at Mad
ison all night, for forty-milc drive
would be too much for old Bess In one
day. Father thinks am old enough
now to buy my own Clothes" he added
proudly, "and so, unless you can &,
with me, am to drive there all alone
Don't you want to 60, Bill? Well hav,
big lark"
OF course l wanted to go, and whel
father told me that l might and gav'
me couple of dollars for spendin,
money, my Joy knew no bounds.
Accordingly, early the next morning
rs we had agreed upon the night be
fore, Tom drove over to our place, and
amid much well-meant, but fear littl,
needed, advice from parents and olde
brothers and sisters, took my seat by
his side and we headed old Bess TOWARD
Madison.
1t was a cool, pleasant spring morn
ing. The robins chirped merrily in thu
trees along the roadside and the fresh
invigorating air was laden with tn,
scent Of the early flowers. We were il
high spirits and Tom outdid all pre-
vious efforts in the way of Dragging
Possibly the twenty dollars in hi
pocket stimulated him, for am quit
sure that he told me at least twent,
times what he would do il anyon,
should attempt to rob him of thi
money. And each time, just as h
came to the dramatic part of the re
cital, he would take out of his insid
coat pocket little, old, twenty-five
caliber revolver, and leveliug at tn
head of the imaginary robber tell hov
he would calmly blow out his brains o
lead him captive to the city Jail; an,
then, affectionately wiping the revolve
on his sleeve, he would put it back int
his pocket and begin over again.
We reached the city in safety, de
spite the old revolver and Toms care
less way of handling it, shortly befor
noon, and at once drove to the hote
where our parents were accustomed L
put up while in Madison. We both fel
very proud, when, with few as w
thought exceedingly graceful flour
ishes, we wrote our names in the hote
register and had our room assigne,
to us.
After dinner, which we both en-
joyed immensely, for the long ride ha,
sharpeued our appetites, even to sucl
an extent that l fear we must hav,
greatly astonished the pretty, littl
dining-room girl who waited on us BY
our capacity for beefsteak and pie
there were three kinds of pie on tn,
bill of fare, and we both ordered a piec
of each-we set out to view the city
The city presented so many attractiv,