Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-17

fgt t z4 which had come out, with only valley intervening. It would be quite possible for the tramp, by making his way across the valley, to intercept me on my re- turn. From his position on the hill he could, in fact, have followed with his eyes my progress and timed himself to meet me again.
 Hardly had my reflections reached this conclusion when I saw the realiza- tton of my fears in the shape of the tramp, who emerged from the bushes on the road and stood waiting for me to approach.
 t'Wild thoughts surged through my brain. Should I rise in my seat, cut the horse with the whip, and gallop ruth lessly over the fellow? Or was there yet time to make rapid turn and retreat to the Forks, where I might borrow some death-dealing instrument, even if it were, perforce, shotgun? Then I saw through the trees the gleam of a white farmhouse, and took courage. After all, perhaps the fellow meant no harm and, in any event, he would hardly try any violence within sight and hear ing of the inmates of the house. Idrove on slowly.
 Say, give us ride inter town with yer, will yer?' he growled suddenly, as I came up with him, and without more ado he placed one hand on the shaft and scrambled into the seat beside me before could express my disapproval of his actions. It was such a new ex- perience to me to meet any one at all on the route, and especially to have the company of stranger thus uncere- moniously thrust upon me that I could think Of nothing to say. was relieved when caught sight of Farmer Jones coming briskly across the field for his mail l stopped the horse and greeted him cordially, while a thousand plans flashed through my mind only to be re- jected as absurd or impossible.
 felt like asking him for gun, an axe carving-knife, or something equally deadly. But realized that to do so would be to betray the fact that was unarmed to my ugly companion, besides inspiring the honest farmer with doubts as to my sanity. Tn fact, any manifestation of nervousness on my part was, felt. to be avoided. So said nothing when the farmer turned and left us; and remem- bering that there was stretch of lonely road ahead of us, took out the whip.
 It was just at this part of the road, with the wild mountain side on our right and the peaceful but deserted valley on our left the horse at sharp clip and my spirits rising as realized that once round the bend of the hill comparative safety awaited me, when my big compa ion reached forward suddenly and caugh the lines, at the same time calling on the horse to stop. Jerking the animal back on his launches, he caught the whip from my hand
 l."What do you mean? I cried as the horse stood still.
 mean said be- glaring at me feroc. iously, that there's some money in yer pocket, young feller, and I'm goin' to have it. Hand over them five 2o-dollar bills see the farmer give yer up on the hill, and don't lose time about it.
 .Neverl' cried. That money Is in the care of the United States govern ment, and you shall not touch it.
 Look here he growled, you gim- me that cash, young feller, or I'll take it from you
 'aThe situation was getting desperate, and again warning him to keep his hands from me, prepared to leap to the ground and run. But before could move his powerful hands gripped me. and in an- other instant we were engaged in a desperate struggle.
 "It would have been short one, for was no match for him, and he had begun to choke me savagely, pushing me back ward on the seat, when suddenly the bushes on our right parted, and a man with gun, followed by dog, appeared almost beside us. recognized Dave Peters, a well known and devoted hunt CT, and his tanned and unhandsome face came to me almost like beatif1c vision.
 Help, Dave!, cried. This man is trying to rob the mail. Help mel
 'aThe ruflan had released me and was endeavoring to assume look of inno- cence, but Dave was quick of mind and had grasped the situation at glance, and his shotgun was leveled at the tramp as he spoke.
 "'Say the word he said to me, and I'll fill him full of shot Did he take any, thing from your
 "tNo,' said I, feeling the money safe in my pocket, but it is not his fault that he didn't Get out of this wagon, added sharply.
 "He slowly dropped to the ground, eye- ing the gun cautiously, and then started to run rapidly up the road.
 Don't waste shot on him. said to Dave Let him go. I don't think he'll bother me again. But if you're going into Corning, Dave, you might get up hero and accompany me. was foolish enough to start out, this morning without the revolver I almost always carry, and think I should feel better with com panion know-and gum
 ''So, with the hunter on the seat beside me and the dog trotting behind, drove safely into the town. ."-Young People. GIANT SEQUOlA IS DYING.