The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-12-22


last few days, and at least $1,000, in bills and
coin, were slowed away in his pockets and
in the buckskin bag at HE feet. 1t was a
large sum OF money and be naturally 'eli
the responsibility its possession involved
John Me.ls was by no means d coward. out
he was perfectly acquainted with the coun
try and ITS people, and knew that the chance
of acquiring one-tenth the amount he car
red would be sufficient to prompt many oi
the latter TO murder. lie had been pariicu
LARRY struck with the villanous face and sus
poous demeanor Of the goat -herder, and the
uucasine.s 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 gancirs
back over the dim trail, in nomentary eN
pec.ation of finding himself pursued. How
ever. evening came without anything nav
ing transpired to increase his alarm. and an
hour before darkness closed down upon the
bleak plains he drew rein before the door
OF Il lone ranch and, without the useless pre-
lmnary Of applying for accommodations,
began divesting his tired horses of the har
ness.
As he unlocked the tugs Of the of horse,
towheaded urchin OF eight or nine years
same stroiing up from the nearby corral,
crepi into the buggy seat and drew the
blankets over his head until only his boyish
face and sparkling eyes were visible.
What's your name, mister:' he asked,
with chi.dike directness.
Jack Wells What's yours
Hank Grimm I'm only Little Hank.
Old Hank is my gran paw, and he owns this
ranch The Mexicans call this Dos Boias
Ranch. cause gran paw gives the two.
boot brand. Say, mister, do you know who
/ thought you mought be when you dnv'
up:'
Couldn't guess
IL thought mebby it was Santa Claus, but
then / allow he's got more whiskersn YOU
have. Still, he mought have shaved. -
Wells admitted that Santa Claus might,
hy way OF a change, conclude to make his
annual trip with a beard OF three weeks
growth, or even a smoothly-shaven face
Farther than that he couldn't, under the
circumstances, blame Little Hank for look
ing upon all strangers with an eye OF sus-
picion. but he thought the chances OF pop.
ping his gaze on Santa Claus by daylight
were extremely small. Several millions Of
boys. in different parts OF the world, had
been keeping their eyes open for years with
ont avail. and there had come 10 be a pOpu.
lar belief that the jolly fellow with the rein
deers Travelled principally in the dark.
That's the way he hit this ranch last
Christmas. and | reckon he left ii till about
the last ranch on his rounds, remarked the
boy. "lle didn't leave me thing that
wanted -nulhin' but little tin wagon and
a pound of candy. Say, mister dye reckon
Santa Claus ever handles wndchesters.
The appearance of the elder Hank Grimm
spared Wells the necessity of answering
this difficult query. The owner Of the Two
Boot ranch" was O man well advanced IN
years and possessed OF sturdy, erect fig
ure. square-cut features and sky-biue eyes.
that told at once Of German ancestry and OF
past service in the armies Of the old world or
the new. lie welcomed the traveller heart
iy. directed him how to dispose Of his
horses for the night, and then abruptly
turned away and entered the house. Little
Hank remained behind and, in his quaint,
bovish way. superintended Wells every
movement.
A covey Of quail that had been foraeing in
the vicinity Of the CRIB flushed at their ap-
proach and settled in the prairie grass
short distance away Little Hank clamored
10 have one Of them killed for his Christmas
breakfast, and to please him. on their re-
turn 10 the buggy, Wells slipped a couple Of
bird loads in his Parker, and, when the
covey rose again, grassed three plump beau
ties with a hasty double shot. The boy was
I'm perfect ecstasies over his success.
That's better'n you could 90 with
windchc,ter," he remarked, in a tone de-
noting that he considered this the height OF
possible praise. "Gran paw says a shotgun
is no good; but | reckon it depends heap
on who shoots il. ] never seed but one be-
fore. and il wasn't wuth shucks. II be-
louecd to a mar from Arkansaw, and he
cou du't hit the broadside OF a mule
The travellers effects were soon trans
ferred TO the living room Of the ranch. where
De was introduced to the ranchmans aged
wife. and found that the only occupants OF
the place were themselves and their pre-
cocious grandson. Grimm was a German OF
the old school, with true Teutonic ideas OF
comfort. and it seemed that unusual prep
arations for the evening meal had been made
In honor of his visitors. All in the way OF
food that the ranch could offer was on the
table. and. surmounting the array Of snowy
biscuits. ham and eggs. juicy steak and
canned fruit, stood a group Of ancient glass
dccanters. their contents shining in grada.
ton Of colors from deep red to straw yel.
low.
Little Hank seemed to look upon his share
Of the feast as an especial treat, and after It
was disposed OF his tongue ran moic gibly