The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-10-08

Uncle Peter, nobody will blame you
for not bringing the mail when they
learn that you are sick"
Maybe not" the old man answered
testify; but that don't mend matters
much. The mail is due up there; and
they'll be expecting it, and it ought to
60"
But nobody would expect you to
bring it when you couldn't get ou5 OF
bed" the lad urged.
NO, of course not. But for six years
l have never missed day, and now tc
miss this, one of my most important
days of all! If it had Just been some
other day it wouldn't have been so bad
But to-day-my Lord boy, if I could
make the trip up there to-day anyway
at all I'd go, even if had to crawl"
''Why is it so important that you
should go to-day" Frank asked:
Because there is a lot of -.loney to
go up. Jake Bushnell has $4,000 down
here that I promised to bring up to
him to-day, and it ought to &C if pos.
sible. In fact, Frank, it must go il
there is any way to get it there"
'Is it so important that it should
go?"
ITS going to mean a gain of $4,000
to Jake, and its failure to go meana
twice that much loss. 1t is just tina,
important to Jake. And you know
what he has been to me, and how, when
l was crippled up years ago in the
mines, he took care of me and watched
over me like a brother. I'd do anything
to serve Jake, and now, when so much
is depending on me and so little is re-
quired, | am helpless"
Frank was silent a moment Then he
said:
Uncle Peter, can't some body taxi
that money over there?"
"Who is there that | can trust 2" ole
Peter questioned in turn. "SlX thousand
dollars is a 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 it 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 90
Frank questioned.
eyes, so far as honesty is concerned
| cam" the old man replied. I'D 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 a horse as good as any
body, if l am small, and I know the way
well enough not to get lost; and, as for
its being a bad day | don't mind that
for | can wrap upwell. Let me take the
mail and money"
Old Peter hesitated, but after consG-
ering awhile finally gave n reluctant
consent for Frank to undertake the
trip.
Frank did not lose any time, but pro-
ceeded at once to saddle his horse and
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 il
into anybody's hands except Jake's."
81 won't" Frank answered, closing
the door and mounting his horse.
Frank galloped off down across d
mile stretch of level ground. then be-
gan the ascent of a 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 a 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 pisto!
and ordered him to stop.
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 to have. l see.
though, you have mailbag there, so
reckon I'll look through that first ana
see what there is in it. You know YOU
might have some letters for me-some
registered letters and the Iike-anG
there wouldn't be no use for YOU to
carry EN- no further when I'm righl
here to take EN- 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
ters, wherever | 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
a laugh, and, reaching for the mailbag
drew it from Franks saddle, and
throwing it on the ground, drew out his
knife to rip it open.
81 don't happen to have my keys along
with me-" he continued. jocu,arly, 80
I'll have to use my knife in this case
Us mail inspectors sometimes forget