Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-15

In spite OF all efforts OF the horse
they could not once shake off old
Scudamore, nor yet could he ovcrtake
them, but young Shcrwin realized, as
did old Scudamore, that on the long
decline to the bridge he would come
up with them, even If they kept their
horse on the gallop.
When the clipping couple reached the
top of the hill where Bordercr's Arms
stand, three miles from tho bridge
that leads into Scotland, the old man
was but half q mile behind them trudg-
ing up the hill as stubbornly and mp
parently as fresh as ever.
Tho young man stopped the horse at
the door of the public house.
"Good gracious" said the girl, you
are not going to stop hcrc2"
YES" said young Sherwiu. Don't
say word. will explain it all later"
and he dashed into the public house.
where he astonished tho barmaid by
asking II she sold empty bottles.
"Yes sir" she said.
Then give mo an armful quickly"
he cried, finging down gold piece.
"Never mind the change, but be quick
about it,
Three arm loads the young man
took out to the trap and flung under
the seat The girl, not knowing the
bottles were empty, thought the
critical situation had turned her low
er's brain, but he sprang into the cart,
and looking over his shoulder saw
that the old man was only half way
up the hill.
''Now, my darling" he said, you
take the reins and drive as fast as you
can"
When they were above three hundred
yards from the tavern Sherwin took a
bottle by the neck and smashed it
against the road, then another and an
other and another.
"Why, my poor Reginald, what are
you doing that for?" cried the girl.
This is for the benefit of tho old
mans pneumatic tires" answered
Reginald, as with crash after crash
the broken glass scattered over the
queens highway.
The girl continued driving, while
Reginald, looking backward, had the
full benefit of the old mans disaster
He did not stop at tho top of the hill,
but sprang at once on his machine, and
came down the incline like lightning
express. Reginald guzed anxiously at
the area Of broken glass, which he
knew began ut tho milestone on the
northern sido of the hotel. The old
man came sweeping on without seem
ing to notice anything, and Reginald's
heart stood still as he saw how the in
furiated cyclist was gaining on them.
''The tires must be cat to pieces by
this time" he lnuttcred through his
clenched teeth. and he began again
vigorously to smash bottles No pneu-
matte tire that was ever made can
stand roadway of broken glass very
long, and Reginald, with sigh of re-
lief, saw the old man wobble first
from one side of the road and then to
the other, and at last slow up and dis.
mount.
The excited young man gave a yell
of triumph and wa 7cd an empty bottle
over his head as he saw old Scudamore
let his machine drop in despair to the
ground, while he himself sat down on
the second milestone to wipe his heated
brow.
They had been married moro than
half an hour when a detected man,
trundling bicycle whose tires hung
in ribbons, entered the Scottish village
A smiling young man went forth te
meet him.
Its nll right, father-in-law," he
said. II have made inquiries and find
that they can put new tires on bicy.
clcs in this place, which one wouldn't
have expected. I'have sent back LOT
of men with brooms to sweep the
broken glass off the road. You must
be somewhat fatigued with your long
ride, so let me offer you lift to the
hall. My wife will be pleased to drive
you, and will SEQ the new tires put
on the machine and will ride it w
there this evening.
Although your temper is said to be
bad, l have always admired your com
mon sense, and assure you that it is
the only thing to do. AS Edna is your
only daughter, and as you and l will
have to settle our little difficulties
some time, let us do it now. for two
grown men like ourselves don't want
to furnish gossip and scandal for this
gossipy neighborhood.
II suppose it's the only thing to do
you villain" said old Scudamore.
ut is, indeed" replied the villain.
''Now go to the parlor on the first floor
of the hotel and talk real nicely to my
wife. while take the bicycle to the
shop. Detroit Free Press.