Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-06-24

S$,l VCJaS had diet, tbre,
SUMMERS before, leaving many fertile
arc5ssy and several head of cattle and
valuable horses besides few thousand
doilarssin cash TO his only son. 4
sThesboy was fully capable of CARVING
orsthe establishments; and, consequently
after the demise OF his parent, EnocS
continued with tho 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 q
landed proprietary with no one to die
tate,to him as to the slightest act, for
{ his mother had preceded her husband
tosthe other world, when our young far
I merI MAS but a lad of fourteen.
If atiwas autumn and the rich harvest
had been gathered and stored away in
'bin and crib, and Enoch Bumpus was
able to enjoy n slight breathing spell
after toilsome yet profitable season.
One evening rs he stood in the door
yard of the homestead, the old stage
coach went rumbling by on its regular
trip from the nearest railroad station to
the village beyond.
1t was no strange sight to Enoch, for
from childhood he had been accustomed
to look for the Anticipated vehicle and
gaze with wonder, not unminglcd with
awe, ut the strange faces of the passcn-
gers within.
Hc bad never ridden in the convey
ance. although he lind felt many times
that it would be one of the greatest treats
to- make journey to town in company
with old Josh, the driver.
This evening, as Bumpus returned the
hearty salutation of the Jehu, Il sudden
determination to satisfy the long felt dc.
sire took possession Of him, and he
called:
81 say, Josh, guess you'd better
haul up here in the morning, shouldn't
be surprised if wanted to take a ride
with YOU"
b WHATS that, Enoch3" returned the
driver, as he reined in his horses. 500
ing down 10 the city,"
'Maybc be and maybe amt. Got
things pretty we'll cleaned up about the
farm, and kinder want to 20 off for a
spell. Rufc can look after the stock
1or while, that's all there is to do"
4 "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
ryins two milk pals we'll filled.
"You'll have to take care of the place
alone for spell. I'm going away for u
day or two"
Saint that kinder sudden2" asked
Rufus, dcpositing his burden and gazing
at his employer in some astonishment.
"Well, don't know as it is. Been
thinking of it for QUITE while back"
"All right, Enoch, guess you can 20
off if you want to and fluid things here
when you come back"
The young farmer was sure of this, for
Rufus took rs much interest in the work
about the place as he did himself, and
was moro like brother than hire
ling.
He was many years his masters senior
and held for his employer an almost iilial
affection.
The following morning, just as the
autumnal sun was gliding the branches
OF the wcll-nigh leahess trees, Enoch
climbed to seat beside Josh, the stage
driver, and for the first time in his life
left the old homestead on journey that
was to extend beyond the nearest rail.
road town.
There were no other passengers, ard
the young farmer and driver were per-
mitted to carry on an unrcstrained con-
Xersptiop.
hJosh," suddenly exclaimed Enoch,
3ftef short silence, "you know more
about city ways than l do. Say, how
much money do YOU think it ought to
cost n fellow to stay down there Il
week2"
"Well," returned Josh, meditatively,
as hesclosed one eye and squinted the
otheretoward the ear of the nigh leader,
i'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 te
suthinS why 'twould cost you fifty"
q "FRty dollars is good sum of money,
Josh, and would go far toward buying q
yoke OF steers" replied Enoch, eau
tiously.
"T2fat's true enough, but tradin' il
horneAybrutes and seem the sights in
big flE,air tcw different things. Do Y,
know any one down to Boston"
"k0tNa soul"
"Well, then, let me give We piece
of advice. Keep a good hold on t.
your pocket-book and don't make toe
, 24aa2y ney acquaintance fur you'll fine
Msy be expensive"
fMoch remained quite thoughtful af
sskas, in fact scarcely speaking wore
during the balance of the ride, and wher
they reached the railway station he hac
half made up his mind to call that tn
Inns dahis travels, and return home il
the afternoon.
'"Psaw, if I do, Josh will laugh at me
No, III go on. But guess l must hav
little more money to take with me, TO
! don't want to appear mean"