The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-07

marked Mrs. Marlborough; you don't
look overly well fed"
smile came on the thin face of the
boy. II hain't had bite since five
o'clock this morning, except some
parched corn with salt"
The Lord knows you ain't In no con-
ditlon to travel on a empty stomach"
the woman said. I'VE hain't got much,
but we kin give you some hot corn
bread an bacon"
"That'll be mighty sweet-tasied to
me- said 'he boy; II hain't had moth
in but canned meat an hard tack COR
a month. Hungry as am, I've sortcr
tu' 'aed agin it."
After supper they drew their chairs
back to the fireplace, for the night air
was cool. Rising to help Mrs. Yarbor-
ough put log of wood on the fire, the
young soldier dropped his haversack
from his arm to the floor. There was
a Jingle of gold and silver coin, as a
little bag filled with money rolled into
sight. AS he hastily, and with some
embarrassment, picked 1t up and re-
stored 1t to the haversack, the boy
caught Coot Yarborough's eye.
II may as well own up that I've been
tryin' to keep it hid all this time" he
said, flushing. II wastn't afeerd o.
youuns, but 1t belongs to a feller in
the army, an he axed me to take it to
his folks nigh whar l live, an made
me promise not to let a soul know it
was on me-"
It's mighty reesky in these noun
tain to be toatin' money about, ur to
be astraddle of a fine hoss," put In Mrs.
Marlborough at her dishpan on the
table, Just out Of the freight. "You
never know when you are with honest
| people"
That's So" agreed the boy; IAN
| don't like to be responsible for any
body's property. ! made shore 1 was
goin' to be robbed about an hour ago.
/ met two shabbylookin' fellers on
mules. 1 noticed that they liked the
appearance of my boss, an that they
turned and followed me after 1 passed.
My boss was purity fresh, and when
got over the rise of the hill 1 whipped
up an got away from 'em."
How fur back was that?" asked
Mrs. Marlborough, with stern anxiety.
Her eyes rested on her husbands face.
-Four or five miles, reckon"
WAS one a tall, dark-complected
man, an t'other little stunted feller
| with gray goateeE
Exactly; you must know 'em."
II do, eff anybody does. Thar amt
two blacker-hearted scoundrels un-
hung; they'd murder a sick woman fur
her last quarter"
The boy put his hand on the butt Of
his pistol, and his face was very serious.
II wouldn't a-run frum them as 1 did,
but had this money an lost my gun
when my boss was swimmin' the river.
/ didn't think my pistol would do any
good, unless 1 could use both hands to
reload"
The old woman dried her hands on
her apron, came into the freight, took
his pistol and examined it.
us it loaded?"
"Yes'mI but the powder may be
damp"
They are helpless kind of thing"
she said, holding the weapon down near
Yarborough's knee, as she lifted the
hammer and cap, and carefully looked
at the powder in the tube. Looks
damp to me; my eyes are bad; you'd
better not take any chances" Then, as
If actuated by a sudden impulse, and
despite the glare of opposition in Var
borough's eyes, she took down a shin
|
gave 1t to the boy. II think we'd better
swap" she said. "Your'n will do fur
me; besides we've got two guns, an
my husband has a Smith an Weston
that he always carries under his coat"
| Yarhorough's glare swept from hei
to the fireplace. He was afraid that
she might go further in her insinua.
tions.
IL -l.z 4
IT traded a good COW fur 1t, an car
dispose of it as l like"
Il am mighty much obliged" said
the boy. 'I wouldn't take 1t, but I've
got a good deal of responsibility or
me. an may need it bad"
'I'd sleep with it cooked in my hand
every night on this road" she said, aS
much to her husband, as to her guest
This is a awful country fur wound
ell boy like you to be in. You dom
know who to trust"
II know that, but speakin' about
sleepin reminds me that l need it bad
kin hardly hold my eyes open, an
1 want to get an early start in the
mornin'"
"Yore bed is up in the loft" she said
rising. "You'u have to climb the lad
der. Me an Mr.. Marlborough sleeps
down heer." She lighted a short piece
of tallow dip and gave it to him.
"Well, I'll tell you both good night,
said the soldier. and he went to tn,
ladder, followed by Mrs. Marlborough
Il don't believe I'd take the trouble
to undress eff I was you" she said, II
a whisper, as she caught the ladder t
steady it. you see thar's no tellin
when body might be surprised"
, "All right" he said; good night"
When the boy had disappeared. Mrs
. Marlborough took musket from tn
/ wall over the head of her bed and sa
: down opposite her husband. She drew
Z the ramrod and carefully took tn
measurement on the inside and outsid
| of the barrel, to see IL 1t were charged
and then, when she had satisfied her
self that 1t was, she examined the ca
carefully. Marlborough was WATCHING
her movements like a suspicious dog.
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