The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-09-19


and piling them in crevice in the
stone wall they prepared to enter the
water. The younger of the two, the one
whom Joe had decorated with black
eye, looked suspiciously in every diIec-
ton before he went down the bank, but
seeing nothing to alarm him he went
ahead with his bath. Apparently neither
Of the men could swim. They splashed
about in the shallow water, while Joe,
with fast beating heart crept under the
shelter Of some bushes warily toward
the pile of clothes, for he was confident
his money was concealed in them. II he
could only get it and get away without
being discovered
This seemed likely to be the case, for
he had the bundle of clothes in his arms
and had risen from the ground and
cleared the fence before an exclamation
from one of the men announced that he
was discovered. Joe threw the clothes,
with the exception Of the trousers he
felt to contain the bag of money, into
the river as he rapidly crossed the little
footbridge At the end of the bridge
the road had lately been covered with
broken stones, and here Joe was able to
make good progress away from his bare
footed pulsu The man had paused u
moment when he saw his clothes splash
into the water, but evidently consider
ing that the clothes were less valuable
than the money he hurried on as he was
The broken stones We're soon passed,
and then at every step the man gained
upon joe and had it not been for Il close
prickly hedge near by through which the
boy forced his way, he would undoubt-
eddy have been caught He reflected
that if the ruffian made up his mind to
force his way through the briers he
would suffer much more than he, and so
he made the best of his advantage thus
gained
At last the man came through,
threatening and swearing at the terri
fed Joe, who, feeling that his strength
could not last much longer, doubled his
pace In vain he looked for some living
thing to help-for house in which to
hide, but there was not one i'll sight
The ruffiau had ceased his threatening,
but his silence was far worse, and Joe
could hear the patter of his bare feet
close behind.
1t was Of no use. He was losing
ground every minute, and it would be
impossible to outrun this man. He
made last squirt, however and dashing
about corner Of the fence came i'll
sight of the winding river again. All,
there was another chance! Without "a
moments hesitation Joe raised his
hands above his head and dived from
the bank and with two or three quick
strokes under water he came up several
yards ahead of his pursuer The man
had dashed into the water without
realizing that he could not swim and
Joe was ahead of him and over his
depth now.
AS Joe calmly climbed the opposite
bank after his refreshing bath the half
drowned ruifian was being pulled from
the water by his companion, who had
secured the clothes and followed as fast
as possible. Awful threats of vengeance
were poured on Joe's head from across
the water when the ruffian recovered the
use of his lungs and the volley of stones
that came nearly across the river was
appalling. Joe coolly occupied himself
in wringing the water from his clothes
and in shaking his fist Mt the men and
returning some Of their threats.
When he had rested awhile he pre-
pared to start for home, which must
have been some Is miles distant He
rolled the trousers up, and depositinR
them on the bank shouted to the men
that they were ready rs soon as they
cared to call for them. Then taking off
his hat with flourish he turned his
back and was on the road for home.
He reached the house Of friendly
farmer at nightfall and spent the night
there. The next morning he reached
home safely and handed the money bag
to his father. Exchange.