Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-10-01

shelter of some bushes warily toward
the pile Of clothes, for he was confident
his money was concealed in them. If 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 puIsuer. The man had paused a
moment when he saw his clothes splash
into the water. but evidently consider
ing that the clothes We're less valuable
than the money he hurried ON as he was.
The broken stones were soon passed,
and then at every step the man gained
upon Joe, and had it not been for aclose
prickly hedge near by through which the
hoy forced his way, he would undoubt-
edly have been caught he reflected
that if the rufiian 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 a house in which to
hide, but there was not one IL sight.
The ruffian 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. BE 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 in
sight of the winding river again. All,
there was another chancel Without q
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 ruffian 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 yolley 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 at 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. BE
rolled the trousers up, and depositing
them ON the bank shouted to the men
that they were ready as 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 a friendly
farmer at nightfal1 and spent the night
there. The next morning he reached
home safely and handed the money bag
to his father. Exchange