The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-08

quilts from one room to the other and
making as much noise and confusion as
it was possible to make with the nipple
ments at hand. Pete watched the pre-
operations in silence for a while and then.
turning to the clerk, said in loud
voice;
well, by granny, Pillsbury, you fell
lows seem t be almighty busy round
heah this mawnin; whuts tn matter?"
"Sh-h-h! said the clerk, laying his
foreinger across his lips and frowning
at Pete till the wrinkles closed his right
eye. don't talk so loud MIR. Hunting
tons here"
Pete received this news with all the
gravity of the occa sion.
''Whur's e at?" he asked, i'm the same
soft whisper that Pillsbury had used in
vouchsafing the information.
In number ten" came the reply; you
orter see il, too, too, it's all fixed up finer
n the bridal chamber" With these words
the clerk again bent to his work, leaving
Mr.. Bradshaw to his own devices.
Meanwhile the great railroad magnate
and 1inancier had drawn table before
the window, in room number ten, and his
pen was flying over a tablet of paper as
Nst as a busy man can make it go. A
knock came upon his door. Mr.. Hunting
ton, without lifting his pen. invited the
knocker to enter, and in obedience to the
summons old Pete stepped into the room.
Mr.. Hunten'on" he said. ignoring the
fact that the great magnate had not so
much as raised his eyes; I an heah t bid
y wel<um 4 ouah beautiful city"
Here he paused for an answer, but Mr..
Huntington made no reply. Pete was not
ashamed; he had come for a purpose, and
no rebuff was not going to stop him.
We'll, by granny, he said, after a
uDb In
dignation that the great financier raised
his eyes to see what was the matter; ''ef
them fool porters amt left v heah with
out a fab an it-a-rainin outside IKE forty
too; | never did see sich keerlessness; it $
anuff to give y tn newmoney!
With that he set to work and soon had
u cheerfulfire blazing in the old CRATE.
Though the day was not cold, the cheer
full crackle pleased Mr.. Huntington, and
he gave Pete a nod and a smile of thanks.
Embodened at this. the old man began
to set things to rights in the room, talk
ing 10 himself in his own fashion, as he
placed each article in its proper place.
IT'S a-rainin' outside an it's more n
likely he'll need this yere gum coat" he
mumbled as he took Mr.. Huntington. S
macintosh and hung it carefully upon
a peg. THAT thar valise," he continued
'mought be put in the closet an tn
suited the action to the word. Mr.. Hun
tington had ceased writing and was
watching Pete with an amused smile. The
willy old fellow knew that he was pleasing
his patron, and when he at last ceased
his work, the room looked hundred per
cent. better
AN now, Mr.. Hunten on" said the old
man when he had finished they amt
nobody in this yere town at knows how
threat man o. you qualities but me.
My names Bradshaw-Pete Bradshaw,
an whenever y wants me, I'll sho'ly be
o hand.
You are very kind, Mr.-ah-Mr.-"
Bradshaw" repeated the old man.
bradshaw, commonly called Pete by
them at likes me-
VERY well, Pete, come here tomorrow
morning at o'clock, and you may be able
to be of service to me-" Then Mr.. Hun
tington said Good morning." and Pete
staggered through the Office and out into
the street.
The next day the Mt Sterlinites receiv-
ed a shock such as they had never before
experienced. Pete in all the splendor of a
fresh shave and hair cut, with a big, fat
cigar between his shrewd lips, went dash
ing through the principal street of the
little city, behind a trotter of the 2:9O
class; and side by side with him, con-
versing in the friendliest possible man
ner, sat Mr. Huntington holding the reins.
The novelty of this sight soon wore away,
however, for thereafter Pete made him
self so useful to the great magnate that
they were constantly together.
When the time came for Mr.. Hunting
ton to leave Mt. Sterling, Pete attended
him to the depot and even into his pri-
vate car.
well, Pete" said the great man,
you've been very, very useful to me and
I want to show my appreciation"
With that he produced a pocketbook,
counted out ten ten-dollar bills and Of
fered them TO the old man. Pete gazed
longingly at the money, but drew back,
saying:
"Y'H have It. excuse me. Mr.. Hunten'-
on, but l can't take emmy NV yo money.
What I done fur y, want done with tn
idy NV getting pay"
The locomotive bell sounded. Mr.. Hun
tington wrung Pete's hand and said:
"AH right, Pete; I'll remember you in
my will"
The train moved slowly away: the
great man waved friendly hand and
was soon lost to view.
For six or seven years afterwards, Mr..
Huntington made occasional visit to Mt
Sterling. Pete was always the first to
welcome him and the last to say fare
well. He grew to know the habits of the
great magnate so we'll that he anticipat-
ed his slightest wishes; consequently
Mr.. Huntington would always, when he
made up his mind to visit the blue grass
region, write to Pete and apprise him
of his coming
When, at last, the Newport News and
Mount Vernon Railroad passed into
other hands, Mr.. Huntngton's visit ceas-
ed entirely; but MIR Bradshaw would not
permit himself TO be forgotten. He
wrote to his patron regularly and gen
orally received a reply, short but full
of kindly interest
One afternoon, in the late summer of
1900, Joe Wishard, a telegraph OPERA
tor, entered Lacy's saloon and made
the startling announcement that the
railroad king was dead. Pete was Just
in the act of raising glass OF whisky
to his lips when he heard the news lie
get the liquor down untasted. gulped at
the lump that came into his throat and
walked hastily out into the open, wiplng
his eyes as he went.
Several weeks later the mail brought
to old Pete Bradshaw the following note:
Sept. II. 19O0.-Mr Peter Bradshaw,
Mount Sterling. KY: Dear Sir--As execu-
tors Of the estate Of the late Mr.. c. T..
Huntington. we beg to inform eou that
you are beneficiary to the extent OF one
hundred thousand dollars ($l00, 900, under
the provisions OF his WILL Please call at