Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-01-07

able Gnat, III accordance with the rule,
l should have taken the wrong one had
not help appeared at the needed mo-
mert.
Through the struggling woods to the
left horseman appeared, coming to-
ward me. As he drew near we scruti-
'iiized each other closely. He was of
about my age, much better dressed than
was usual i'll that region, and, like
every one in the south, was an excel
lent horseman. could not help smiling
at noticeable popularity. That was
his personal resemblance to me. His
dark hair, mustachc, eyes, nose and
contour of the face We're so like mine
that am sure it must have attracted
his attention on the instant.
However, without referring to it,
salutcd as he rode up and asked him to
direct inc to Aldine.
"Follow the road to the right for
about nine miles" was his reply. Il
have just come from Mapleton, which
is five miles behind Inc"
"Well, said, mopping my forehead
with my handkerchief, Il hope it is
better than the one between here and
Southficld.
II am sorry to say it is worse. You
have a hard tramp before YOU
I looked mournfully up and down
each highway.
"There seems to be so little travel in
this section that it is useless to expect
some one to give me lift.
Occasionally we have wagon going
east or west, but it isn't likely you will
see any today except the stage which is
travelling in the wrong direction. How
would you like to ride on horseback?'
suddenly asked the man, as if new
thought had struck him.
"Nothing could suit mo better"
"I'll sell you this animal and outfit
cheap" he added. "You can see he is
a fine one.
81 noticed that when you first ap
peared."
81 am in great need Of money" said
the stranger, land yCu can have him
for $50.
The price was absurdly small, but
the bicycle had not at that time pene-
trated that part of our Union. Without
stopping to think how President Hee-
nance would view this piece of extrava-
gance on my part | accepted the offer.
"You will have no trouble in selling
him for four times that price" re-
marked the owner, slipping from the
saddle. eff it were not that am hard
up, 1 should not consent to part with
him"
In truth | was so afraid of his with
drawing the offer that | quickly COM
pleted the sale The money was paid
over, he helped me to vault into the
saddle and to fasten my valise and UNI
brella behind. Then waving me goodby
he turned and walked rapidly up the
road toward Mapleton, from which he
said he had just ridden.
l was delighted with my bargain.
The horse was blooded animal, with
beautiful, tapering limbs, long name
and tail and possessed great speed. He
was dark chestnut, mettled and with
good disposition. Whenever the road
permitted, he broke into swinging
ClulCI tndo was tllt pOClIy VI Ai'IIph'
"What a stroke of fortune!" said to
myself 81 am tempted to take him
home with me, for there couldn't be a
finer saddle horse but if | sell him it
must be for a good deal more than |
paid"
A half hour later l met the stage
from Aldine. 1t was rickety structure
Il Frhp
driver Was huddled on the front seat,
smoking clay pipe, and as | turned
aside to make room for him his griz-
zled face lit up, and with a queer,
twisted smile, he called:
"Howdy, Hank?"
l laughed i'll reply, but did not halt,
and nothing more passed between us,
A couple of hours later the little
town of Aldine was reached. 1t was a
more dismal and woehegone place than
the steamboat landing. There were just
seven houses, though to complete the
estimate l had to include two ram
shackle affairs which contained no oG-
cupants. | rode up to the hitching post
in front of the old tavern, where two
llcH sdl, SuCH Win lOuS eIoCh uall,
grizzled yellow i'll color and beard of
the same hue. Their hats were like in
verted cones. and the hair of one showed
through the top, while their garments
were suggestive of the tousled tramps
of the north. They were sitting cross-
legged and smoking corncOb pipes.
One of them, however, was the land
lord, for he slouched forward to take
charge of my horse.
"Howdy, Hank?" he asked, repeating
the words of the stage driver.
Il am we'll, replied, humoring h's
mistake, IT thi-k shall stay with
you few days"
"All right" he replied, starting tc
water my horse preparatory to taking
him to the stable.
"Whcre is the postOffice?" l asked.
"Have you forgot that it's i'll Barnes
store jis' cross the street,"
walked thither and asked the wan,
bleached woman for letter for Edward
Kenmore. Without speaking she mourn
! fully handed me one whose address
recognized as being in the handwriting
of President Heemance. Thus it ran: