Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-02
A KNIGHT OF THE HIGHWAY By CLINTON SCOLLARD. Author of ''A Man atArms," The Son
 of.a Tory" Etc.
Copyright, 1eo1, by ]. B. Lippincott Go
 All rights reserved. ..


 Copyright, 1eo1, by l. B. Lippincott Go
 All rights reserved
 SYNOPSIS.
 CHAPTER I-Phtlip Rossiter, a young cellege-bred man. through lack Of deter, rnination and will-power,. had descenq9o has stolen a ride on a freight train and by chance gets off at Illica. a town well known to him in his college days.
 CHAPTER II.-While lounging on the river bank next day he hears cry Tor help and saves younS man s;s. JoS SecSiIf Thaf Rossiter is and wishing to help him asks Philip to accompany him , to the phf1gn h1Ro consents to go with him.
 CHAPTER TIT.
 OFF FOR THE HoP-FIELDs. 'You see it's like this," Joe Be- craft was saying as the three (trudged slowly in the blazing sun across the meadow towards the city. "The mill where I've been workin' these six years, an where Jim's just startin' in, has shut down month for repairs, so we're gettin' holiday. Ma always goes piclin' hops, am Mame-she's my sister-but Jim an I me, We ain't so lucky every year.
 You like it, then?" inquired Ros- sitter.
 You'd better believe I do. Sod { you if you were shut up in a mill all the rest of the time.
 Haven't you good position?"
 "Oh, yes, I'm not ldckin'. I'm under-overseer in the cardin'-room. I'll get to be overseer, perhaps, one of these days. an then" He broke off There was happy look in his eyes and he gave little laugh, while Jim chuckled audibly.
 ssWhat are you snickerin' at, you young jay?' cried his brother, mak ing a pretense of being provoked, and vainly trying to cuff the offender. The more Rossiter talked with the elder Becraft the more did he grow to respect, if not to admire, him, he was so wholly natural, so independ- lent. so self-poised, and yet so en- si tirely without conceit He was un- educated, save in rudimentary way, ( having been the mainstay of the fam fly for eight years, yet he kept him self informed on the topics of the day, and had his opinions on public affairs, which were more free from bias than the views held by most of
  he was, but earnest, frank and warm hearted, and Rossiter was shamed when he contrasted his own weak ness and lack of purpose with this 6 young fellows unassuming strength. As, the three reached the square beyond the railway tracks, Rossiter noticed that Joe Becraft was begin ming to lag and show signs of ex- haustion.
 You'd better have a drink of whisky to brace you up," he said
 A milk-shake will do the busi- ness,, Becraft replied. Its too hot for whisky. May be you'd like nip. though he added, with peculiar { sidelong glance, which the yagrant caught. It was as though the young CT man was surmising what the elders habits might be.
 "Oh, mo-" Rossiter said, not be- traying the fact that he noticed Be- craft's scrutiny, "I'm not much on whisky myself. like little beer now and again, however"
 "Yes, beer ain't bad, but the shake is what I need now. I feel bit empty.'' They stopped at a small corner drug store, where all three had the drink which Joe Becraft craved, though the clerk looked askance when he came to serve Rossiter.
 My mothers waitin' at the Cot tage hotel,'' said the elder Becraft, when they again stood upon the side walk. That's where the hop wagons to come for us about two o'clock. Now before we go up, for we want you to come along with us, I've got something to propose. You'll take it all right, won't you?''
 Perhaps I know what it is,'' an swered Rossiter, for several times he had seen Becraft furtively regard ing his hair and beard.
 .sDo you?''
 q can guess"
 'sWell, if that's the case, you ain't a-goin' to mind, are you? You can pay me back, you know
 You'll trust me to pay you back, thene''
 Trust you to? Why, of course r will. You'll pay me if you've got anythin' to pay with, an you'll have it all right after a httle.'
 s'I don't believe there are many who would take your view of it."
 *'P'raps not, for, to tell the truth you ain't what the boys would call "a swell But shave an a hair cut'n make sight of difference. know of place close by where we'll go I A chap from our town keeps it."
 As they turned from the main thoroughfare, which was called Ken eseo street, puff of warm wind blew cloud of dust in their faces.
 "Thunder!" ejaculated Joe Be. craft, live swallowed enough nasty stuff for one day. Do'you know" he added, ''for decent city, this town l is one of the dirtiest goin'! 'Taint as bad as it used to be, but it's plenty