Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-03-04
WAYLAID.

lhe WINDOW was nigh from the ground,
and the disreputable looking tramp who
had entered the garden heard Mr.. Stock
wells remark and came to n stop on the
graveled walk.
Neither Mr.. Stockwell nor his trusted
clerk. Chip Ferris. saw him as he half
crouched beneath the open window, from
which place their tones were plainly
audible.
Mr.. Stockwell had the largest grocery
in Lebanon, and Chip Ferris, though only
II years old, was his right hand man.
He owned another grocery In Milldale,
a thriving little village eight miles away, |
and Chip had just been directed by him
TO go over and collect the months re- |
ceipts from tho man in charge.
"Tell Hanley I'll be in Milldale to see
him just ms soon as | can get out of the
house. said Mr.. Stockwell, who had been
overcome 10y his old remedy, the rheu-
matism. 1--we instructed him in the note
to turn over the collections TO you, and
If any stock is needed he can let you
know"
The man ut the window did not wait
to hear more. but went noiselessly to the
gate, all thought Of begging removed
from his mind.
A companion, as ragged and vicious
looking as himself, stood waiting for
him some distance down the street.
What kept you so long," he growled.
"Any nckT''
81 should say So" was the response.
"You didn't get any money, did your
mo, but well soon have plenty IL we
manage things right"
And he proceeded to confide what he
had overhearl, whereat the other worthy's
eyes glistened
well, that is luck, and no mistake"
he said IF he's only boy it will be as
easy as rolling off log There he comes
now"
At that moment Chip Ferris was clos
ing Mr.. Stockwell's gate.
He walked down the street in the di-
rection Of the two men, giving them no
more than a casual glance as he passed
by, for tramps were no rarity in Lebanon.
Those fellows are pretty rough look
ing customers" he thought. 'lt'sa won
der the constable hasn't got them"
1t was . o'clock then, and he went to
the stable IN the rear of the shop and
harnessed the horse to a light vehicle.
The drive to Milidale was pleasant
one, and Chip enjoyed the prospect Of 1t
exceedingly.
About n mile from town, resting I'M
der leafy tree by the roadside, were
the two tramps he had seen some time
before.
'Hello!' Inc said TO himself. There
are those fellows again. I wonder what
they're up TO now
He passed by in cloud of dust, and,
looking back, saw that an animated con-
yersation had suddenly sprung up be-
tween the two.
Somehow Chip got it into his head that
they were talking about him.
"They can't know about the money,
of COURSE" he said, uneasily. ''Such
men look evil enough to do anything. :
When he reached Milldale he was dis
appointed to learn that Mr.. Hanley had
gone into the country to look ut n colt
that he thought Of purchasing.
The money was locked up in the safs
and he had the key with him. 50 tina
there was nothing for Chip 70 do but K
wait for his return. which he did with q
good deal of inpatience.
IL was nearly o'clock and the sur
was far down in the west when Mr.
Hanley came back. and Chip lost nc
time in transactlng with him the bush
ness on which he had come.
Better stay with me TO supper, Chip,
said Mr. Hanley. "There'n be moor
at to light You back"
No. thank You, said Chip. Il dom
want 10 be out late with this money
I'll just take some bread and cheese with
me"
lie babe Mr.. Hanley good-by, and
giving his horse the reius, was soor
going at smart pace through Milldale
until the last Of the struggling houses a
its ont liirts was left far behind.
The sun sank behind the distant blu
hills and twilight came ON.
''It won't b. long now before it's dark,
said EMP. Il hope | won't meet thost
tramps again. They'd stop me in a min
utelf they thought had SO much none,
about me-
Az the light faded he grew more nery
Gus, and, with an idea IN his head, b
refined IN the horse to carry it out, frs
looking around TO satisfy himself tina
no one WAS in sight
In his pocket was copy Of the villag
paper. which he carefully tore into strip
the size OF bank notes.
He selected from the roll Of notes Mr.
Hanley adj given him four of the leas
valuable and wrapped them around tn
strips. placing them in his pocketbook.
The money he hid in oue of his shoes
perhaps I'm over cautious he toll
himself, with a smile. "Those me
have likely enough taken another road
bat II they should Try TO rob me this bS
gus roll may fool them"
lie was half way home when he cam
10 large tract of woods. through who
the road passed for some distance
The thick foliage Of the over archin
trees shut out the light, and the ros
was so bad that Chip was obliged TO !
the horse walk
There was an absurd story which h
long been current Of headless hors
man who appeared in these very wool
and Chip could not help recalling II wi
shndder in spite OF It's utter improt
bility.
Suddenly the horse SHE'D, and {
startled boy caught sight Of two da
hgures lying in wait 81 the side Of ,
Rad