The Van Buren press., 1895-10-19
A ROAD RACE.

A hUAU nACE.
He was generally called Old Scuda-
more. but the adjective was put there
not ea account of his advanced years,
but probably because his temper was
50 bad. It was true that Scudamore
had daughter nineteen years of age,
but man may still be in the prime of
life and poesess such luxury.
Old Scudamore made things lively
wherever he was and the people OF
his neighborhood were usually afraid
of him. When the bicycle came to its
present state Of perfection, pneumatic
tires, and all the rest of it, Old Scud-
more invested in one. He soon became
as feet wheelpan as any man of his
age. It was SAID that Old Scudamore
did not ride the bicycle for the pleas
ure of it, but merely because the
machine allowed him to get over his
estate swiftly and silently. Silence
and speed were said to be the great
attraction the bicycle had for Scuba
more, because he could drop down
suddenly on any group Of workmen on
his place and find instantly whether
they were attending to the business he
paid them for, or whether they were
..soldiering" A horse usually gave
notice ofits approach. while a bicycle
did not. Scudamore's speed on his
wheel soon resulted in an abbreviation
of his name, and they called him "Old
Ecud," or sometimes' ''The Flying
Ecud.
Perhaps Scudamore's greatest tri-
umph on.his bicycle was his discovery
of the lovers. He had taken secluded
path which ran through his estate. 1t
was bordered on each side by trees
which effectuaAy screened the foot
way from all observation. He took
this unaccustomed route, though the
cycling was none too good on it. SO
that he might be more certain Of COM
ing unawares upon group of laborers
who were working at o drain beyond
the further end Of the path. Ashe came
to q turn in the footway. he was sur
prised to see ahead of him two young
persons walking together-young per-
sons of opposite sex.
/. As he approached silently, he was
amazed to find one OF them was his
own daughter, and the other the impe-
cnnious young cashier Of the County
bank. He remembered that Wednes-
day afternoon'was half holiday at the
bank, and thus the young fellow had
mad an opportunity of quitting the
counting of cash, that was not his own,
for the courting OF the daughter Of the
man who was the largest depositor in
the bank.
Old .Scudamore gnashed his teeth in
rage and nearly fell off his bicycle as
ne realized that the young man was
probably there because his knowledge
of the affairs of the bank gave him an
indication OF the wealth of the girls
father He could think Of no other
reason for young man coming from
town to walk in aeecluded spot with
pretty girl.
Old Scudamore cycled slowly and ST.
lently behind them for some time,
listening to their conversation, and he
was alongside the young man before
either of them noticed his presence.
That great value OF cycle is thai it
can keep it's own counsel. The girl
gave slight shrek when she realized
that her father was beside her, but
the young man kept admirably cool.
'.Are you aware; sir" said Scuda-
more, '.that you are trespassing?s
+ I'm afraid am, Mr., Scudamore, I"
said the young fellow, ''in more senses
than one."
s'You.are scoundrel!" cried Scuda-
more, "and If ever catch you on this
place again / will have you. horse
whipped to the village. Meanwhile l
will see the manager Of the bank and
have yon discharged. suppose you
know enough of the affairs of the bank
to be aware that have sufficient infu-
ence for that purpose =.
YES" said the young man, II know
that you have; still, l had thought of
retiring from the bank on becoming
your son-in-law. I thought you might
perhaps want an energetic Young man
to look after your Estate, for every
body says if you keep on the way You
are going you won't have q man left
on the place."
"You impudent villain!'' cried old
Scud in rage. "I'll teach you to talk
to your betters in that fashion. Edna,
you go home; I'll talk to you later on. !"
The girl was very much afraid of her
father, and, though she looked appeal
inRly at him and cast frightened
glance at the young man, she obeyed,
and walked toward the house.
Now, you young iackanapes," said
old Scud, do you know what / am go
ing to do? | am going to hand you
over to the police for trespassing on
these grounds"
81 believe" said young Sherwin,
''that you are just idiot enough to do .
thing OF that sort. Of course, you can't
make yourself the talk of the country
side more than you are now, but you
can, at least, raise scandal by hand
ing me over to the police, and mixing
your daughters name up in It,"
I'LL show you, you dog" said old
Scud .0f course. it would be sean-
dial to have her name mixed up with
yours, but III take very good care that
her name is not so mixed. If my
daughters name is mentioned it will
b. because you mention it, and if you