Evening star., 1901-05-04

names Bradshaw-Pete Bradshaw. an
whenever y wants me, III sho'ly be on
hand"
You are very kind. Mr-al1-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.. Hunting
ton said Good morning and Pete swag-
gered through the Office and out into the
street.
The next day the Mt. SterIingites re-
ceived a shock such as they had never be-
fore experienced. Pete in all the splendor
OF a fresh shave and hair cut with a big
fat cigar between his shrewd lips went
dashing through the principal street of the
little city, behind trotter of the 2;3O
class; and side by side with him, convers-
ing in the friendliest possible manner sat
Mr. Huntington holding the reins. The
novelty OF this sight soon wore away. how
ever, for thereafter Pete made himself so
useful to the great magnate that they were
constantly together.
When the time came for Mr.. Huntington
to leave Mt. Sterling. Pete attended him to
the depot and even into his private car.
Well, Pete said the great man, you've
been Very, very useful to me and 1 want
to show my appreciation
With that he produced a pocketbook
counted out ten ten-doar bills and offered
them to the OLD man. Pete gazed longingly
at the money but drew back, saying:
but l can't take emmy yo' money What
done fur want done with tn Idly NV
getting pay.
The locomotive bell sounded Mr.. Hunt
ington wrung Pete's hand and said:
All 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 visits to Mt
Sterling. Pete was always the first to well
come him and the last to say farewell. He
grew to know the habits of the great mag
nate So well that he anticipated his slight
est 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 y. y. and NJ. V. rail-
road passed into other hands. Mr.. Hunting
tons visits ceased entirely; but Mr.. Brad
shaw would not permit himself to be for
gotten He wrote to his patron regularly
and generally received reply, short but
full of kindly interest.
One afternoon, in the late summer of
1900, Joe Wishard, a telegraph operator,
entered Lacy'S saloon and made the start
ling 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. He set the liquor down
untasted gulped at the lump that came
into his throat and walked hastily out into
the open. wiping his eyes as he went.
Several weeks later the mail brought to
old Pete Bradshaw the following note:
September a. 1900.
Mr.. Peter Bradshaw. Mt. Sterling. Ky:
Dear Sir-As executors of the estate of
the late Mr.. c. p. Huntingt on, we beg to
inform you that you are beneficiary to the
extent of one hundred Thousand dollars
(S10o .O00}. under the privisions of his will
Please call at your earliest convenience
and bring with you letters and other means
of identification.
Yours very truly,
WILMUTH & JACKSON.
Six weeks after the date of the above
letter the writer met Pete, in company
with his son James, on one of the side
streets of Mt Sterling The old man was
We'll dressed but his nose was red and his
gait unsteady.
Hello, Pete" said the writer; glad to
see you back,'
He winked unsteadily and rubbed his
spreading fingers stifiy over his bristly
mouth
"Mistah Thomas" he said. with great
dignity. but there was the same old twin
kle in his eye; Il amt Pete more
IN Mistah Bradshaw. An" he continued.
as James tenderly grasped his arm to lead
him home, Il want y t distinctly under
stan at I don't want t buy emmy Wv yo'
laud"'