The Forrest City times., 1896-07-03

That sentence was never finished. At that moment a woman's voice screamed:
 Tom! Tom!"
 The next instant Tom Wheeler was pursuing a runaway horse, with all the strength of his athletic young limbs, and John Harmon, forgetful of every thing but the fact that his only daugh- ter was behind that horse, stood speech less and helplessly staring.
 It was not sensational runaway. Within 30 yards Tom managed to catch the buggy and to climb into it from the rear-and when, after he turned it round and drove back, neither he nor Rhoda exhibited a sign of excitement-- but John Harmon was as pale as death, until he made certain that his only daughter was safe. Then came another sheer. as who should say:
 Anyone can climb into runaway wagon, if they're swift enough afoot, but
 Flake me home, Tom-I'm i'll. Quick ly, please" pleaded Rhoda.
 About five o'clock tha. evening Wheeler came into Harmon's hardware store, and asked him to come outside for minute.
 "Well?" asked Mir. Harmon, doubt fully.
 What will you sell your place for, Mir. HarmonY' Tom asked, without any pre-. liminaries.
 Il haven't gone into the market yet. And, supposing have, my young friend, have you anything to buy with?"
 We'll said Wheeler, "I could only make first payment of $500, the bal ance secured by mortgage on the prop erty, payable within the year."
 Harmon looked at him hard for mo- ment. Then
 If you're in earnest, Tom, Ss,O00 flat, on those conditions. And the deal may as well be closed now.''
 This was done before notary pub- lie, and within a half-hour John Har- mons homestead property was trans. ferred to Tom Wheeler.
 When all the papers had been signed, sealed and delivered, young Wheeler ventured a word.
 MT. Harmon" he said, 'T have played rather low-down trick upon you; but, upon the other hand, I expect you. when you understand the circumstances, to return me my $500 without question.
 "Ihe fact is that for three days past I have had expert coal operators work ing upon your land, and they assure me that by the investment of less than S5,000 (which can be very easily secured in Pittsburgh there will be found in sight at least six times that amount.
 Moreover, there is one more thing to which l wish to call your attention; and that is the fact that any contract whatsoever made upon legal holiday is void. Squire Mcdowell doubtless knows this. but must have forgotten it in this instance"
 John Harmon looked steadily for a moment at the young man who had un- doubtedly resolved to be his son-in-law.
 "Wa-al," he drawled, with an imported Maine accent-"I don't b'lieve y're sech a blame fool as ye look t be, after all Come up tonight to supper, you and your ma. I'll get a lot of fireworks, and if we don't have the biggest family Fourth of July celebration you ever saw, my name isn't John Harmon"
 The next day, John Harmon, who al- ways wanted to be a flair" man, deeded an undivided dhalfinterestinh in his property to that objectionable school-teacher.
 "Tom," he asked, two or three days afterwards, unable to control his curi- osity, "where'd you get that $500-out of your salary?"
 That money Rhoda,s aunt left her." said the prospective son-in-law, raightforwardly
 Well, you're bird!"
 LESTER KETCHUM.