The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-05-01

made his way along the highway that
led in a northerly direction.
Il promised to take that letter to the
young lady. I wonder If shall have
any trouble in seeing her. Perhaps
am altogether too sure of what can
do, and what pressure 1 can bring to
bear on others. None too sure of my,
own liberty, for that matter Go slow,
Job. slow, or you will spoil every
thing!"
He had reached little brook
spanned by a wooden bridge, and he
stopped. for moment to wipe the per-
spiration from his face, for the day
was oppressively hot.
AS he leaned there for a moment,
with his hat off, resting and cooling
himself, a peculiar ringing of bell,
reached his ears, coming from the d.
rection of the town he had just left,
Job thrust his hat on his head, and
turned to see an old man approaching.
On his breast he carried some sort of
placard with an inscription, and al
bell attached by a strap around one Of.
his wrists. With the free hand he felt
his way with long staff.
Seems to me the blind man is
making his way into mighty un-i
profitable neighborhood. If he keeps oni
the way he is going. Poor devil! He
has much less to live for than 1 have.
I guess I'll set him right and tip him
something for the mistake Of his taking,
the wrong road"
The patriarchal figure. in earth col
ored rags. drew near. He was a tall
man. and bent with years, his long,
white hair falling almost to his shout.
ders.
Hendricks, who had taken out al
piece of money, dropped it into the TIM
cup which the blind man wore attached'
to leather belt about his waist. Ati
the clinking sound of the coin dropping,
In the tin, the old man paused.
God bless you, mister and may the
Lord and his angels watch over you.
day and night"
He wore dark glasses over his eyes,
showing that he could not be wholly:
blind.
I'm afraid that you're going out of
your way, friend" replied Job, gently.
out of my Way?"
yes; you are heading for the open
country You have left the town-you
had better return, or something might
happen to you, off alone on a road that
contains few houses"
We'll now, it's mighty lucky struck
you, amt it? I generally have boy to
go about with me, but the imp has run
away fishin' or to join in some mischief.
1 thought I'd see how I could manage
for myself"
You live here, them" and Job
pinched himself, for he fancied that he
saw very bright eye peerng at him
out of the corner of one of the glasses.
Live here?" the old man laughed.
Catch me Twin in the country. The
city is the place for pickin's, but
makes it a rule to visit all the towns
near by in the summer months, as it.
sort O. improves my health. A mean,
measly, ongenerous lot O. folks they
are, these here country pelicans;
can't abear 'em, I can't! Want to give
we old clothes and cold victuals, stead
O. money. No, you don't find yer gram
dad Twin in the kentry when he has the
city streets for a lay
HE certainly has fine pair of eyes
back Of those gig lamps, the old fraud"
muttered job who had been watching
the man intently and was confident
that he was a humbug.
Perhaps you will be so very kind as
to turn me about in the right direction
for the town." quavered the alleged
blind man.
I'D rather give you a heave into the
brook" was what ran through Jobs
mind at that moment, regretting that
he had wasted his charity on such an
old fraud He took the mar, however,
by the arm, and set his face toward the
town.
in the operation, or whether the other
stumbled, at least one thing happened
his great green spectacles fell off in the
| road. Job stopped and restored them
to him, but, as h.. did SO, he looked at
the mans face and he drew away in
stinctively, as if overcome with sud-
den fear.
Am I all right now?' asked the
| other
'All right" murmured Hendricks,
who had recovered his equanimity.
Good day"
Good day."
The blind man plodded on, tapping
! the road with his cane. Job, after
watching him for moment, turned
and almost ran from the place.
Gould it be-" he murmured, when
he was forced to pause for breath.
Gould he have followed me here and
I thought that I was saie?" Then he
raised his hands impotently toward
heaven and said: "Oh, God, give me
time-time for all that I have to dol"
Continued Next Weekly
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