The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-08-19
AN EXCITING
ADVENTURE.

Three partners in the firm of Brown
& Co, mining brokers, were holding
an excited conference in their private
office, in the frontier town of Kettle
Falls. They were talking about an in
terest which they hoped to secure in
the ''Silver Queen" mine.
at is strange that we do not hear
from Blake" said Brown.
probably failed to connect" said
Whiting.
'Neyer knew him TO fail yet, did
your asked the ever-cheerful Furniss.
"D-r-r-r-ring said the telephone.
Brown sprang TO the instrument.
"Hello ~
After Brown had listened for few
moments, he exclaimed; "All right !!
Good-by pi and turning 10 his part
ners, said: ''Blake has made the
purchase for five thousand dollars cash
aud the balance in sixty days but
how long do you think the option
lasts ~
"Give it up" exclaimed both part
ners.
AUST six hours ~ he replied with a
snort of disgust.
'tJust our bad luck" muttered Whit
ing.
Nonsense ~ cried Fnrniss. 'The
money is in the safe, and have horse
in the stable that can reach Bossburgh
in two hours without sweating a hair"
"Yes; but whom will you get to un
dertake it ~
"You're too fat, and Brown is too
lazy, and as for Newell, you may
be sure / value my life at more than
five thousand dollars. 1t is the most
dangerous ride in the state. There are
highwaymen behind almost every tree.
A poor fellow was shot day before yes
terday because he wouldn't give up his
money!
Without needing these words of the
cautious Whiting, Furniss soliloquized,
Twenty miles to Bossburgh; good road
over an open country as far as Marcus.
Then you strike the Seven Devils
where the way winds around the sharp
points of the hill and into the dark gull
ly heads It's dangerous but there
must be some one in town who will be
glad to take the risk. Let me see.
That is"
AT that instant, Duncan Mcdonald
entered the room, placed note in the
hands of Mr.. Brown, and stood by the
table while he read it. He was a
bright-faced boy of fifteen years, and
model lad for his business of running
errands. He looked one squarely in the
eye when spoken to, never asked
question the second time, and had only
one weakness. That vas passionate
love for horses.
To him the world seemed made for
horses. He had a cayuse pony of his
own, and could often be seen standing
on its back, and looping thus through
town, to the delight ofthe children and
the astonishment of strangers.
The widest horses that came in from
the plains he mounted fearlessly.
There was, however, one fly in .he oint-
ment for him-he had never been per-
mitted to ride Mr.. Furniss's bay mare
"Carara"
This hurt his pride. The mare was
the only thorough-b horse in the
county, and it was conceded by every
one that she was not only the most
beautiful, but the swiftest horse in
the whole region.
When he opened the office door that
summer afternoon, the same thought
entered the heads of Whiting and Fur
Mss. They whispered to each other,
"Why not send Duncan with the
money ?''
Say, Duncan" Mr.. Furniss said TO
him abruptly, show would you like to
ride over to Bossburgh with five thou
sands dollars in your belt and only two
hours to make it in?
Duncan hesitated only a moment
and then he said, 81 will go if you will
let me ride Carara."
"Well, it's a great emergency, and if
you will be careful of her you can 60"
With a boyish whoop he hurried out
of the door and into the stable. Fling
ing a heavy Mexican saddle across the
mares beautiful back, he jerked up the
stirrups to fit his short legs, tied them
securely with buckskin thongs, tight
en.d the cinch so that the astonished
mare took him gently by the coat, as
much as if to say, "You hurt-be care
full" He stroked her white nose, put
the bride over her arcbed neck, and
the bit between her teeth, and led her
to the front Office and tied her.
While he was out, the three partners
had time to reflect ''It's an outrage
to send that boy on such a dangerous
errand," said Brown. al won't assent
to it."
Nonsense, Brown, you're needlessly
cautious" said Whiting.
~ wouldn't assent to letting him
CO." Furniss inteIected, ''if thought
there was much danger. No one would
think that mere lad would have any
money about him. They would as soon
look for teeth in hens mouth"