The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-11-13


what he has been to me, and how, when
/ was crippled up years ago in the
mines, he took care of me and watched
over me like brother. I'd do anything
to serve Jake, and now, when so much
is deperA'rg on me and so little is re-
quired, ! am helpless"
Frank was silent b moment. Then he
said:
"Uncle Peter can't somebody take
that money over there?"
"Who is there that can trust?" old
Peter questioned in turn. "Six thousand
dollars is large sum of money to in
trust to the hands of just anybody"
Eyes, but surely there is somebody
you could trust?"
81 don't know who II would be, my lad
If it was my own money might afford
to take some risk, but can't take any
with what belongs to Jake" <,
Cant you trust me to take it,"
Frank questioned
ayes, so far as honesty Is concerned
I cam" the old man replied. "Fd be
willing to trust you anywhere with any
amount of money. But you are small
| and not used to the road. and it's bad
| day."
81 can ride horse as good as any
body, if am small, and know the way
well enough not to get lost; and, as for
it's being bad day don't mind that,
for can wrap up we'll. Let me take the
mail and money"
| Old Peter hesitated, but after tonsid-
ering awhile finally gave reluctant
consent for Frank to undertake the
trip.
Frank did not lose any time, but pro-
prepare for starting. When all. was
ready he looked in at the door to tell the
old man good-by.
"Be careful of that money" the old
man admonished, 'and don't give II
into anybody's hands except Jake's."
81 won't" Frank answered, closing
the door and mounting his horse.
/ Frank galloped off down across u
mile stretch of level ground, then be-
4 gan the ascent of road that wound its
way up the mountain side. The day
was dark and chilly and the atmosphere
was heavy with falling snow and rair.
There had been heavy snowfall
already, and the mountain sides lay
buried several feet deep while the
gorges far up in the range were packed
full.
Franks road led below the snow line
and he was able to make good progress.
! He had gone half the distance of his
journey, and was riding along at the
foot of an abrupt mountain, when he
came suddenly face to face with a
heavily armed man, who seemed to have
been lying in wait for him. As he APP
preached the man whipped out pistol!
and ordered him to slap.
Frank obeyed. of course, and as soon
as he recovered sufficiently from his
fear and establishment he asked:
what do you want of me?"
81 don't know jest what ! may want
of you," the man replied, until see
what you happen 10 have. see,
though, you have mailbag there, SO I
reckon I'll look through that first and
see what there is in it. You know you
might have some letters for me-some
registered letters and the like-and
there wouldn't be no use for you to
carry 'em no further when I'm right
here to take 'em off O your hands. All
the registered letters find are intended
for me, you know, though they may be
addressed to other folks. People often
make mistakes in addressing registered
letters, and in cases like that have to
hunt up the mailbags and git my let
tiers, wherever I can find them, cause
postmasters, when they get hold of
them, they won't give me no letters
that amt addressed to me-"
The man ended his voluble talk with
laugh, and, reaching for the mailbag.
q drew it from Franks saddle, and,
throwing 1t on the ground, drew out his
knife to rip it open.
Il don't happen to have my keysalong
with me-" he continued, jocu!arly, $50
, I'll have to use my knife in this cnse.
Us mail Inspectors sometimes forget
our keys and leave 'em at home in
our other pockets-in our Sunday-so-
connecting clothes, you know. How
ever, this is just as handy, and I'll soon
see what you've got for me. You just
be patient minute, sonny. and I'll see
if you happen to have anything on your
person that belongs to me-"
Franks heart came up into his
throat when the man uttered those last
words, for he knew that if the bandit
searched him he would be certain to
get Jake Bushnell's $4,000
He could not think of tamely sub
hitting to being robbed of that money
when it meant so much to Jake, and
when old Peter had so confidently in
trusted it to his keeping.
Yet, what could he do to save it? He
could noe hope to offer any successful
resistance to man who was des'
perado and who wasprmed to the teeth.
To attempt thing of that kind would
be sheer madness. And to attempt I'd
run away would be no more polite
when the bandit by one well-aimed shot
could bring hm to halt at the sncri-
flee of his life.
We felt that he must make some eff