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

Chicago Post
A ROAD RACE.
He was generally called Old Scuda-
moro, but the adjective was put there
not on account Of his advanced years,
but probably because his temper was
so bad. 1t was true that Scudamore
had daughter nineteen years of age,
but a man may still be in the prime Of
life and possess 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 fleet a wheelman as any man of his
age. It was said that Old Scudamore
did not ride the bicycle for the pleas
uro 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 Scuda-
more, because he could drop down
suddenly on any group of worlkmen on
his place and find instantly whether
they were attending to the business he
paid them for, or whether they were
soldering" A horse usually gavc
notice of it's approach. while bicycle
did not. Scudamore's speed on his
wheel soon resulted in an abbreviation
of his name, and they called him 'Old
Scud," or sometimes THE Flying
Scud."
Perhaps Scudamorc's greatest t-i-
umph on his bicycle was his discovery
of the lovers. He had taken a secluded
path which ran through his estate. 1t
was bordercd on each side by trees
which effectually 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 drain beyond
the further end of the path. AS he came
to 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-
cunious young cashier of the County
bank. He remembered that Wcdnes.
day afternoon'was half holiday at the
bank, and thus the young fellow had
had an opportunity Of quitting tho
counting of cash, that was not his own
for the counting of the daughter of the
man who was the largest depositor in
the bank.
Old Scudamore CRASHED his teeth in
rage and nearly fell off his bicycle as
! he realized that the young man was
| probably there because his knowledge
of the affairs of the bank gave him m
indication of the wealth of tho girls
father. Ho could think of no other
reason for young man coming from
town to walk in secluded spot with a
pretty girl.
Old Scudamore cycled slowly and 81.
lently behind them for some time,
listening to their conversation, and lie
was alongside the young man before
either Of them noticed his presence.
That great value of cycle is that il
can keep its own counsel The girl
give slight shricls when she realized
that her father was beside her, but
the young man kept admirably cool.
"Are you aware, SIR said Scuba.
more, that you are trespassing?"
"pm afraid am, Mr.. Scudnmorc, y
said the young fellow, "in more senses
than one"
you are scoundrel!' cried Scuba
more, land If ever catch you on this
place again will have you horse.
whipped to the village. Meanwhile
will see the manager of the bank and
have you discharged. / suppose you
know enough of tho affairs of the banl
to be aware that have sufficient intlu.
ence for that purpose.
YES" said the young man, II know
that you have; still, had thought Of
retiring from the bank on becoming
your son-in-law. thought you might
perhaps want an energetic young mar
to look after your estate, for every
body says if you keep on the way you
are going you won't have man left
on the place"
you impudent villain!" cried ole
Scud in rage. "I'll teach you to tall
to your betters in that fashion. Edna
you go home; I'll talk to you later on
The girl was very much afraid Of hel
father, and, though she looked appeal
ingly at him and cast a frightened
glance at the young man, she obeyed
and walked toward the house.
Now, you young jackanapes," sait
old Scud, do you know what am 60
ing to do? am going to hand you
over to tho police for trespassing or
these grounds"
II believe" said young sherwin
"that you are just idiot enough to do {
thing Of that sort. OF course, you cam
make yourself the talk of the country
side more than you are now, but yor
can. at least, raise scandal by hand
ing me over to the police, and mixing
your daughters name up in it."
IN show you, you dog" said ole
Scud. "Of course, it would be scan
dial to have her name mixed up will
yours, but I'll take very good care tina
her name is not SO mixed. If m,
daughters name is mentioned 1t will
be because you mention it, and if yo'
do SO, fool us the girl is, she will hav
nothing more to say to you"
The young man realized the force o
this, and he walked along the patti
silent, while old Scudamore cyclet
slowly along by his side. When the,
were still some distance from the gat,
that led into the main road Sherwi,