The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-12-13

lnd held ii up TO the conductor. Here,
keep this for yourself. and for the
Lords sake let me alone-'
The mans surly face lowered angri- |
ly. II amt that kind" he growled
Then he raised his hand to the cord
above his head, III give you two
minutes to decide" he said.
A brakeman and a trainman Joined
the group. Corlcars set his face firm
ly. Il guess I've had more than So
worth out of that ticket" he thought
to himself. The conductor looked ut
him snllenly, watch in hand.
"Well.' he growled. Then he pulled
the cord, the train slowed up, and Cor.
leGrs found himself standing beside the
snowy track watching a rcceding point
IN the distance. As the train moved
past him Corlears was conscious OF 4
man standing motienless on the other
side of the track. 1t was desola,s
scene that iay about them The pale
Light of waning winter moon fell UP
on long wastes ol SHOW covered fields,
broken here and there by lines OF
, black poplars AMI defined at the cast.
ern edge by long stretch of woods
The two men became c0I,,~,>Ys ur
each other apparently at the same
moment The man across the track
wore silk hat and looked like
| clergyman. You've done a pretty
clever thing" he said. drawiug pistol
nj in l,li
aim ut Corlears, but You don't find
me wholly unprcparcd."
Corlears laughed grimly. That's
where yon have the advantage of me
! admit that am altogether unprepar.
ed. throw up my hands. Youi
hardly find it worth while robbing me-
however. as I've just been put off the
train for lack of car fare"
The man put up his revolver. lex.
cuse my mistake" he said politely. Il
| Jumped off the train on the other side
I'm not hlChwayman. but took you
for something worse Do you know
the country" Corlears shook his head
"About midway between Columbia and
Chester. should say" The man
scanned him narrowly.
"What are you going to do?" he said
Corlears set his teeth. Walk to the
next station If don't freeze on the
way and after that-get to New York
some way"
-You say that you have no money"
"I've just So. l6." There was pause
The man appeared to 10 considering
At last be spoke.
III you'd like to earn $500, can put
you in the way Of It,"
81 should be delighted" Corlears
drawled ironically. Il might earn 1t
shoveling snow. There's a good deal
Of It about"
I'm perfectly serious the man re-
Joined. Listen. You want to 20 to
New York; I want to keep away from
It bought n ticket to New York. but
l left the train when It slowed up 10
put you of. I've-er-changed MY
mind"
Corlears nodded. II see," he said.
every good. You are about my
height and build. Change clothes with
me, take my ticket, walk on to the next
station and board the first train for
New York. II you meet my anxious
friends and they offer you pressing
attentions. don't decline them on the
score Of being some one else"
"And them"
The man smiled. You will be takon
excellent care Of. and you will be met
at the Grand Central station with a
carriage Then they will discover their
mistake, and they will apologize. In
the meantime you will have got to
New York, and you will be $500 richer.
He counted out five crisp new 500
bills. Corlears saw them distinctly In
the moonlight.
Els It a bargainT
Corlears rudged on In silence for a
moment LET me see your ticket.
please" The man handed It to him.
Its good for stopovers. I see. 20
can use 1t all right"
-he mans eyes glittered. DO you
agree" ne said eagerly.
| It'll take the ticket" CoreArs said
slowly. land In exchange for It I'll
swap clothes with you. and Ill keep
my mouth shut until we get to Now
York, but you can keep the $500"
Don't be a fool" said the man. "lt
| will be worth more than that to mo II
It works" Corlears shook his head.
| II tried to beat the railroad company
out Of fare. must admit" he no
| piled. but I usually play fair. |
haven't made much Of success Of ny
life. but I've lived II squarely - far.
It's habit, suppose"
The man gave kind OF groan. God
knows l wish could say as much"
The exchange Of clothing was quick
| ly made. "I'm In a stovepipe hat"
Corlears said, with laugh. "though
it's rather cold comfort In this snow
heap"
"Goodby," said the man. and he ran
quickly of in the opposite direction.
his long black shadow trailing gro
tesquely after him.
The next morning when CorlearS.
| footsore and hungry. walked into the
| u%xIo .<o<to, ot Rlo n T. villa ho founh