Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-04
CHAPTER |.
AT TIE TRAVELLERS REST.

A heavy gust of wind, laden with mist
and rain, swept with dismal sound
against the dingy window panes of the
Travellers Rest, causing the rickety
building to shudder and creak beneath
its force.
Simon Riggsby, who for hours had
been sitting by the window modify
contemplating the storm without, sud-
denly removed his pipe from his mouth,
pnd emitting cloud of smoke from his
bearded lips, turned to his wife, who
had Just entered from an adjoining room.
"Hit's goin ter rain all night, Sally"
he said petulantly, IAN | reckon this
Il azsss
'en sent up to yer room as soon az my
son comes in. Our 'commodations amt
the best but reckon the ole house will
keep the rain oif-which amt such a
bad thing, considerin the kind of a
night were likely to have"
1--WE are not going to find fault with
our quarters" observed the tall man,
seating himself in chair which his
host had placed at his disposal. Its a
lucky thing that we didn't have to re-
main out on the prairie"
At this juncture Dan Riggsby entered
the room.
go ont an tend ter the stage bosses,
Dan" said the father, going to the door
and opening it. The youth hastily
obeyed, and in a few moments tine driver
came into the room, the water dripping
from his broad brinmed hat and rubber
coat. He carried a small leathern mail
pouch in his hand, which he handed to
the postmaster.
"Perty rough weather on ye, jim"
observed Riggsby depositiny> the pouch
behind the counter. Bin havin a
breakdown, hear; anything very bad?"
"Well, yes" answered The driver.
"One side of the off front wheel IS com
pietoly smashed, and | had to lock it so
| could move at all, and I'm hyar to say
that it mecks perty heavy pullin."
Reckon it would" commented the
landlord. Don't see how We ever got
hyar. Wind list blowed We along reck-
on; it's powerful windy in kansas-pow-
erfulr'
81 reckon III have TO stop hyar till
mo1uin, when I'll see if the wheel can't
be patched up" added the driver, rcmov-
ing his dripping hat and coat.
81 think can tx it up fer ye," replied
Riggsby. I've got some tools out in the
ole workshop, an used ter be a perty fair
hand with EN-"
Although it was early in September
the storm had made the air quite chilly
and cheerful fire had been made in the
Office stove. Near this The two strangers
had seated themselves and were convers-
ing in low tone.
plague take the luck!" exclaimed the
tall man in a tone Of veXation. This is
decidedly worrying to be wrecked here on
the prairie when we have so much busi-
ness to attend to at our destination"
The short man nodded assent
"But guess We've got our business in
a shape so it will keep" he remarked af-
ter IA short pause, a cunning glitter in his
small black eye. "Of course you have
got the papers al right?
Eyes, and don't intend that they shall
get ont Of my possession till our little af-
fairs are adjusted to our satisfaction,
and the tall man tapped his breast pocket
to indicate that the papers referred tC
were safely stored therein.
Their conversation vas soon interrupt
ed by supper being announced. and they
were ushcred into the dining room, where
they We're served with a substantial re.
rs.t
lVl.Ia bis ,,7asts r-o,a NJ e,,n,,or eir,or
R;@o.,y ,roceo,lrd IN. omen tho mai that
had inst been brongLt
oGrl,, +,rao L., - l,o o,,,,,,,o,,+oa -,
fbo ,o,3cG wac ornn4ied ,,rom tha ,'ir ne
conntor ,,or rn dnclarn if L,,arair,+ or(
for g,ll,,--,-,, e,,,.a ,.,o,,,,I, -, o,,, e.,
$40 V-bit,raIl on tho. o+7a, =. fa, no-,
Ho1es y "
I5lariro, 4ba ono for hi, ,,.iro - III.
l..I 49,, "