Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-06-04

S+ LIS ldlLel
ummers before, leaving many fertile
acres, and several head of cattle and
valuable horses besides a few thousand
dollars in cash to his only ton.
The boy was fully capable of carrying
on the establishment; and, c~onseouently
after the demise of his parent, Enoch
continued with the same routine of bust
ness to which he had been accustomed
from childhood, albeit under the super.
vision Of the executor of his fathers
will.
Now, however, he found himself a
landed proprietor, with no one to die
tate to him as to the slightest act, for
his mother had preceded her husband
to the other world, when our young far
mer was but a lad of fourteen.
1t was autumn and the rich harvest
bad been gathered and stored away in
bin and crib, and Enoch Bunpus was
able to enjoy a slight breathing spell
after n toilsome yet profitable season.
One evening as he stood in the door
yard of the homestead, the old stage
coach went rumbiing by on its regular
trip from the nearest railroad station to
the village beyond.
1t was no strange sight to Euoch, for
from childhood he had been accustomed
to look for the %antiquated vehicle and
gaze with wonder, not uumingled with
awe, at the strange faces of the passen-
gers within.
He had never ridden in the convev
ance, although he Ind felt many times
that it would be one of the greatest treats
to- make a journey to town in company
with old Josh, the driver.
This evening, as Bumpus returned the
hearty salutation of the Jehu, a sudden
determination to satisfy the long felt de-
sire took possession of him, and he
called:
81 say, Josh, I guess you'd better
haul up here in the morning, shouldn't
be surprised ii l wautcI to take a ride
with you"
whats that, Enoch?" returned the
driver, as he reined in his horses. go
ing down TO the city,"
maybe l be and maybe | amt. Got
things pretty well cleaned up about the
farm, and | kinder want to 90 of for a
spell. Rufe can look after the stock
for a while, that's all there is to do"
"All right, Enoch, I'll stop for you.
Git up" and away rolled the stage
coach on its journey, while Enoch went
in search Of Rufus, the hired man, whom
he met just emerging from the baru car
rying two milk pals well filled.
you'll have to take care of the place
alone for d spell. I'm going away for a
day or two
Amt that kinder suddcn7" asked
Rufus, depositing his burden and gazing
at his employer in some astonishment.
"Wcll, don't know as it is. Been
thinking of it for quite a while back"
Gan right, Enoch, guess you can 90
off if you want to and find things here
when you come back"
The young farmer was sure of this, for
Rufus took as much interest in the work
about the place as he did himself, and
was more like a brother than a hire
ling.
lie was many years his masters senior
and held for his employer an almost flial
affection.
The following morning, just as the
autumnal sun was gliding the branches
OF the well.nigh %lealess trees, EnocA
climbed to a seat beside Josh, the stage
driver, and for the first time in his life
left the old homestead on a Journey that
was 70 extend beyond the nearest rail
road town.
There were no other passengers, aud
the young farmer and driver were per
mltted to carry on au unrestrained con
yersation.
"Josh," suddenly exclaimed Enoch.
alter a short silence, ''you know more
about city ways Thar l do. Say, how
much money do YOU think it ought to
cost a fellow to stay down there a
week."
"Well," returned Josh, meditatively,
as he closed one eye and squinted the
other toward the ear of the nigh leader,
''you might 81: along with twenty five
dollars, if you wanted to go slow. But
if you meant to 'whoop her up an show
them city fellers that you amounted to
suthln', why 'twould cost you fifty"
FIFTY dollars is a good sum of money,
Josh, and would 90 far toward buying a
yoke of steers" replied Enoch, eau
%tiously.
That's true enough, but tradin' in
horned brutes and seein' the sights in a
big city air tew different things. Do ye
know any one down to Boston"
mot a soul"
"Well, then, let me give ye a piece
OF advice. Keep a good hold on to
your pocket-book and don't make too
many new acquaintance fur you'll find
they'll be expensive"
Enoch remained quite thoughtful af-
ter this, in fact scarcely speaking a word
during the balance of the ride, and when
they reached the railway station he had
half made up his mind to call that the
limit of bis travels, and return home in
the afternoon.
"Psaw, if do, Josh will laugh at me.
No, I'll go on. But l guess I must have
a little more money to take with me, for
| don't want to appear mean"
With this determination Enoch went
to the bank, in which was deposited a
snug balance, and drew theretrom a hun
bred dollars. This he put with the three
crisp ten dollar bills already in his
pocket, aud feeling that he had enough,
and more than he should use, he boarded
the train for Boston.