Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-12-02
a-LAPrER Nu


Mr. rimnloEs was taking the air on his
own threshold late in the afternoon OF
t.,at last Thursday in June. 1t was now
some hours since the dwarf had cal.etH
Although it had not yet struck SIX
O'Clock. he was thinking Of closing his
es.a b.ishmant. AS he was about TO re-
s:fe for the long shutters that by night de-
Tended and veiied his treasure from preu-
story hands or prying eyes. his enormous
aeft ear Lccame aware that feet were ap-
preaching. He turned his pale blue eyes
in the direction Of the sound and saw
coming along close to the wall the egure
CT low sized stout woman. She carried
fish basket in her hand. Out OF this
basket projected the tails Of half dozen
Fed herrings.
'Good afternoon" said Tiplons-
Afternoon" said the woman entering
the store without paus;ng. Then nOdding
Ler head back in :he direction whence she
had come she asked: ANY oneT"
NO" answered Timmons. Not .
se-i''
IL thought I'd never get here. It's NOR
tai hot. I've brought you some fish for
your tea"
"Herrings," he said, bending to exam
inc the protruding tails. ''Fresh her
rings, or redt" he asked in q hushed, sig
Lificant voice.
Red" she whispered hoarsely, "and as
fine as ever you saw. Are you going to
have company at tea, Mr.. Timmons
asked the woman in a tone and manner
OF newly awakened interest.
NO; | am not expecting any one.
am going to have tea all by myself.
an very busy just now. l have had a
visitor to-day-a few hours ago
We'll" whispered the woman, eager
ly.
.'And he'll do it!''
He will. He's been to Milwaukee and
has arranged all. They'll take every bit
they can get and pay good price-twice
as much as could be got otherwise-from
any one else"
..Fine Fine! You know, Mr.. Tim
mons, how hard it is to find bit now, and
to get so little for it as we have been
handling is very bad-ncurt-breaking. 1t
takes al the spirit out of Tom"
''How is Tom! Is he on the drink
NO, he isn't"
"That's a bad sign"
The woman rose and he handed her
some money. Then followed long.
good -humored dialogue in which she beg
sed for more, and he firmly. but playfully.
refused her Then she went away, and
Air John Timmons was left once more
alone.
He took up the basket, drew out the
wooden skewer by which it was closed,
caught the herrings in a bundle and threw
them Behind him on the gritty -earthen
floor. He opened the bag that lay be-
meath them and peered into it. Holding
IT in his left hand upon his upraised thigh
he thrust his right hand into it and fun
bied about, bending his head down 10
look the better. He was ON the point OF
drawing something out when he suddenly
paused aud listened motionless-
Ills Stamer himself" cried Timmons,
in matlied voice. Then he added;
-Wbat does he want? More money! Any
way, | suppose | must let him in
He turned round caught up the scat
tered red herriDgs, thrust them into the
bag. fixed it with the skewer, and then
threw if carelessly on the hob OF the Oh,
Grate.
When the newcomer was inside the
f1oar and the bolt drawn once more, lin
mons said. in slow, angry tone, well,
Stamer, what do you want! 10 oar
gain a bargain? You We're not to come
here in daylight, and only in the dark
when something of great consequence
IL
give Just now, if we are to go on work
ing ON the cooperative principle. What
do you want:
The low sized, rOund-shouldered man,
dressed in fustian and wearing two gold
rings on the little finger of his left hand.
said ill "A whisper:
''Youre going to see this cove 10 -h:sht!
Yes"
AT what o'clock
midnight"
"Ah! 1t win be dark them
"What news you tell us. 1t generally
is dark at midnight.
Are you going to take much of the
stuff with you-much OF the red stun-oi
che .sd herrings"
Tiumons drew back pace with start
snd looked at Stamer suspiciously.
..Raye you come to save me the trouble,
ehY Would you like to take it yourself
Ebp Did you come here TO rob ME!
mean to share fair DO you want to
throw up the great cooperative principls
and bag all
answered in a tone Of sorrow and re-
proaeh:
"Yon know I'm square. Tell ME how
much stuff you are going to take with you
Tonight
About two pounds"
I'm sorry, gov'nor, for bothering you
ia give my life for you Look here
guv'nor. suppose he is not an honest man
ike me. He isn't in our cooperative
,,lun. YOU know. Suppose he isn't partic-
mar about how he gets mold of bit ol
stuff"
.Apd tried to rob me:'
That's not what Id mind! He put
MS hand to the back of his waistband
"You know what carry here. Suppose
he carries one, tooF
You mean that he may murder me
first and rob me after:
Stamer nodded.
..WeI. I'm very much obliged to you,
Stame-. indeed am: but I'm not a Bit
afraid, not a Bit Why, he's not much
pyer four feet, and he's q hunchhack az
we'll"
He opened the door for Stamer, who,
with a doubtful shake Of the head, step
ped over the raised threshold and went
out As Stamer sauntered down the
street he muttered to himself, I'm keep
my eye on this affair anyway.A
When the door was closed .fmmons
took up the fish basket, dung away the
red herrings q second time and descended
to the cellar.