The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-11-21

though. Hes the principal banker in
your town.
There never was baker within twenty
miles of Bunkum, but Farmer Tatman
was playing hand so he said. ''Know
i'm? Well, should say | do. You
mean old Squire Jones'.
"JOnes, of course Ha, ha, ha
Strange couldn' remember the name -
Ha, ha, ha Twas kinder funny"
and Silas fairly danced with joy. II
reckon there hahn nice quiet little place
somewhere where fellow can talk with
friend what he amt seen for nigh on to
two year. This was just what Cunning
ham wanted.
''0h, yes, said he in his softest tone.
II know just the place. It's not over
a block from here "
''Then l reckon we might as well go if
you re sure it's safe walking through the
streets with as much money as I've gotin
this here satchel.
At the word money Silas- detected an
expression of eagerness and pleasure on
the scoundrel face, and the fellows fin
gers seemed to itch as the two walked
along
''Ain't you aflaid, said he, ''of being
robbed p
''Well, you just bet your sweet life the
follow who opens old Silas Tatman's va
lise will be sorry, and the Bunkum far
mer smiled inwardly.
Here Cunningham turned on little
side street, leading his friend by the arm.
About half way down the block they
turned into dark and dingy-looking sa-
look Cunningham spoke Familiarity to
the barkeeper, who directed them to a
wine room in the back of the place. The
two sat down al the table and were joined
PRESENTLY by three other men. One of
them was fat man. who tried to get
1'atman to play cards just for fun "
Another of the men wore white vest
and polka dot uecktie. He did all the
talking, and after Cunningham had whisp-
cred few words in the fellows ear he
could hardly keep his eyes off the carpet
bag. He was introduced to Tatman as
Thomas W. Bloomfield, the Board of
Trade man.
at seems, Mr.. Tatman, (" said Bloom,
field, that you are very careless with your
money. Mr. Cunningham tells me that
you carry it in your satchel. y
'.You bet have got lot Of money in
that ere old carpetbag was kinder
thinkin Of speculatin with it.
''Perhaps you would ike to have me
invest it in wheat | think yon could
make big stake.
I'm kinder fraid of losin' it.
"Oh, not at all not if it S well invested
People only lose their money through
carelessness. But of course some has to
lose money to keep the stuff properly in
circulation
''Well, l hain't got much money to
lose, and + m feared if / was to open that
ere bag that mine would get to circula-
TIN, and yon bet it would circulate mighty
dog-goned fast.
"Well, if you did lose it it would stick
to some one fingers.
''You bet your blame life she would,
and she stick purity fast. .
$50 you don want me to invest it for
your
"Tm little bit scary bout putin it
in wheat
s'No risk, whatever said Bloomfield.
''Why, I tell you, Mr.. Tatman, good
Spectator can pick money off the trees
here in Chicago"
Bloomfeld's expression tickled Tat
man. He laughed uproariously and then
said
''You can pick it off the trees in Bunk
UNI, too, but you can keepit long, cause
it circulates took fast. -
By this time the men were grown i'm
patietn, and Tatman noticed that they
looked more frequently and longer at the
carpet bag. He thought it about time to
take his revenge, so he said:
swell, gentlemen, reckon L better
be a-goin and II like to leave that ere
money with you, so as it'll be safe while
I hunt up stoppin' place.
The men were perfectly willing to ac-
commodate Farmer Tatman. They as
sured him that the carpet bag and its con-
tents would be perfectly safe, and that
they would be willing TO wait until he
came back.
''Much obliged, gentlemen, and Tat
man arose. g Tisn't very often that a
fellow meets such kind friends as you are
in a strange city, and it, kinder soothin
to know that fellows leavin his money
with honest people. l reckon L II be back
in about an hour" And Tatman once
more thanked his friends as he passed ont
of the room, closing the door behind him.
Tatman did not leave the saloon, as the
men expected By a clever dodge he
managed to slip the key of the door in his
pocket before he left the room. He re-
manned on the outside long enough to 81
lently turn the bolt in the lock, after
which he slipped into the adjoining room.
He did not wait long before he heard one
of the men say
"Well, that was the easiest snap ever
saw. Silas recognized the voice as that
of Cunningham Then Bloomfield an
swered
Easy Why, you could rob that fool
before his eyes and he wouldn't know it.
Hand up the granger gripsack. -
Tatman heard the sound of the gripsack
striking the top of the table. Then he
heard them prying at the lock. Presently
he heard the clasp give, and in another
instant piercing yelp rent the air.
Whack Crash Bang The chairs were
upturned and the table was tumbled over
in the mad scramble for the door.
Then he heard some one say "Great
heavens They're hornets and the door
is locked
The bowls and yelps which followed
brought the bartender and the proprietor
to the scene. The Bunkum farmer seized
the opportunity to slip out of the saloon,
-. L.. ....a..A Il,