The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-05-01

i
a frmer grip on his satchel and started
had been an athlete In his day. and
even now was no mean runner.
Dodglng the people when he could
and iostling them unceremoniously
when he could not, down the street he
fed. People eyed him with surprise
as he hurried by. Their surprise
changed to wonder when, few mo-
ments later. boy dashed past, calling
loudly.
Then they realized that the promin-
| ent citizen was not anxious so much
| to catch train as to avoid being
caught. Carl was shrewd enough to
know that by calling to the man he
would compel him either to stop or to
to give the impression of being pur-
sued.
Passers-by who paused and watched
the chase did not understand the cause,
but enjoyed the spectacle.
We'll" calculated the Rev Mr.. Nor
row. as he adjusted his silk hat after
coming in violent contact with the fee
ing man, only to have 1t tilted over the
other way by the youthful pursuer,
'the town seems TO be on the move
this morning; business must be press
ing"
"Yes." replied a bystander, Barker
seems to be a little rushed this morn
ing"
| The chase was becoming exceedingly
interesting. Shopkeepers rushed to
their doors to learn the cause of the
disturbance. Mr.. Barker's face glowed
brilliant red; perspiration stood out
upon his countenance. Then he
caught sight of "A cab standing on the
other side OF the square. waiting for
business. The business came with a
rush.
Mr.. Barker saw a way OF escape. He
dashed into the cab, calculated with
his remaining breath, depot. quick"
slammed the door and sank back pant
ing on the seat. The drivers whip
hissed in the horses ears. they leaped
forward and Mr. Barker was off
Here was another good excuse to
present for not serving the subpoena,
but Carl was not looking for excuses.
For a moment he was puzzled and
stopped short on the curb and gazed
after the cab.
Near by was a group of jeering boys,
among them some whom he knew. for,
as he had told Mr.. Hoff. this was IFS
native town.
Hey, legs" called one. what you
waiting for? Why don't you go on?"
Carl turned toward the speaker. who
was leaning on a bicycle, and opened
his mouth as II to make some sharp re-
tort, but catching sight Of the wheel,
changed his mind and said, Lend me
your bicycle, Fox, will you?"
''Noper' replied Fox, shaking his
head. II want 1t myself"
Carl watched the cab rolling down
the street and rapidly increasing the
distance between him and Mr.. Barker
Here" he said. thrusting his hand
into his pocket. "I'll give you fifty
cents If you will let me use it,"
Put it there" was Fox's brief but
expressive answer, as he extended his
hand for the coin.
Carl gave him the money. threw n
long leg over the saddle, and was soon
pedaling down the street after the cab.
AS soon as he was fairly started the
boys set up a shout. Mr.. Barker was
wiping the perspiratlon from his ruddy
face and congratulatlng himself that
he had escaped from very uncomfort.
able and trying situation, when the
shout reached his ears. He glanced
back through the little window in the
rear and beheld that troublesome
youth astride a wheel and pursuing
him like fate.
Dear me-" he calculated, biting his
lips with veXatlon, "how annoying
What a nuisance that boy is!'
He thrust his head out of the cal
window and called to the driver and
at the same time handed him some
thing which shone in the sunlight like
silver.
The driver took it and Immediately
displayed an astonishing interest In
his work. His horses, seeming to for
: get all city rules and ordinances broke
into a run. Behind, wheelman rode
like a professional trying to break q
record. There had been heavy raiI
the night before, and the streets were
coated with greasy, Shiny ooze, whicl
flew up from the whirllng tires likt
spray from a fountain of ink.
1t covered the back of the rider:
coat with a thick fern-leaf spatter
work OF mud that extended up owe
his collar and on "a his cap. TIL,
; wheels OF the bicycle looked like ;
: pair Of pinwheels throwing ont mudd!
sparks, 1t was not a pleasant ride
but It was lessening the distance be
: tween Carl and the cab
, Mr.. Barker was becoming nervous
By exchanging running for riding h,
! had gained nothing except that rldlnj
was not quite so fatlguing to prom
! inent citizen" The distance between
] the competitors had been nearly closed
and the bicycle was following the cal
! almost as close as a racer follows hi
= pacing machine. Carl's head was ben
l. low over the handle bars. The cab sud
D denly turned round a corner into an
] other street. The bicycle turned alsC
I but with disastrous results.
| In his excitement Carl had forgotten
4 the slippery condition OF the asphalt
r or he would not have tried to turn s.
d sharp. AS 1t was his bicycle wabble
and slid and fell, and he and II to