Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1899-12-22

his collections had been heavy during the
last few DAYS, and at least $4,000, in bills and
coin. were slowed away in his pockets and
in the bucl,skn bag at his feet 1t was a
large sum OF money and he naturally felt
the responsibility its possession involved.
John Wells was by no means coward, but
he was perfectly acquainted with the coun-
try and it's people, aud knew that the chance
of acquiring one-teuth the amount he car.
ried would be sufficient to prompt many OF
the latter to murder. lie bad been particu
mrly struck with the villainous face and sus
piciou- demeanor Of the goat-hcrder, and the
uueasnes, aroused by the little incident OF
the morning hung over him during the en-
tire day.
Without making his usual MONDAY halt,
he drove steadily on, occasionally g!anung
back over the dim trail, in momeutary eN-
pec'ation of finding himself pursued low
ever. evening came without anything hay
iug trauswred To- INCREASE his alarm. aud an
hour before darkness closed down upon The
bleak plains me drew rein before the door
of a lone ranch and, without the useless pre-
limuary of applying Tor accommodations
began dvestug his tired horses OF the hdr
ness.
As he unlocked the tugs of the of horse
a towheaded urchin Of eight or nine years
same stroling up from the nearby corral
crept into the buggy seat and drew the
blankets over his head until only his boyish
face and sparkling eyes were visible.
whats your name, mister?' he asked,
with childiike dircclucss.
Jack Wells What's yours
"Hank Grimm I'm only Little Hank
Old Hank j. my gran'paw, and he owns this
ranch. The MeXicans call this Dos Botas
Ranch, cause gran'paw gives the two.
boot brand Say, mister, do You know who
] thought you mought be when yon drv'
up?
Couldn't guess
Il thought mebby it was Santa Claus but
then ! allow he's got more whiskers'n you
have. Still, he mought have shaved
Wells admitted that Santa Claus might,
by way Of change, conclude TO make his
annual trip with beard OF three weeks
growth, or even smoothly shaven face.
Further than that he couldn't, under the
circumstances, blame Little Hank for look.
ing upon all strangers with an eye OF sus
picior; but he thought the chances OF pop
ping his gaze on Santa Clans by daylight
( were extremely small Several millions OF
/ boys. in different parts OF the world. had
bceu karuipg their ewes omen for Years with.
ont avail. and there had come to be popu
/ lnr beIcf tbat the io,lv fellow with the rein.
doors Travelled principally in the dark.
That's the way me hit this ranch last
. Christmas, and | reckon he left it ill about
/ the last ranch on his rounds" remarked the
boy. lie didn't leuyo me thing that !
wanted -uu.hin' but Gtuc tin wagon and
a pound of candy. Say, mister, dye reckon
Santa Claus over handles wiudchesters;'
The appearance OF the elder Hank Grimm
spared Wells the necessity OF answering
this difficult query The owner Of the Two
Boot ranch" was man well advanced IN
years, aud possessed of sturdy, erect fig
ure, squarccui features and 'ky.bIue eyes,
that told at once oil German ancestry and OF
past service in the armies OF the old world OF
the new. lie welcomed the traveller heart
ily, directed HIM bow to dispose OF h'
horses for the night and then abruptly
turned away and entered dhe house lAtti'
Hams remained behind ard' m ms quaint
uoyl.h way 'upeuntcnded Ne'IS every
movement.
a coyey of quail that had been foragng II
the vicinity of the crib flushed at their ap
pooch and scttcd m the prairie grass
short distance away Little Hank clamore'
10 hayc one of thcm Nled Tor has Christina
breakfast. and Co please him. on their re
turn Io i'e buggy Nt''s sAlped couple o
bird loads n ln7 lRrAeI, "na' Wheh III
tlNlt rose IrIIn. Urur~.O tUlrr pump beau