Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-02-25
n Game
Of Bluff


tOriginaLl
Tracy Handyside was bright enough
TO take an excellent stand in his class
mt college without any close appnCu
ton to his subjects He was not only
bright, but q favorite. His father was
rich and parsimonious. Tracy was
poor in his own right and spend
thrift Threat after threat came from
home that IL the boy didn't mend his
ways by spending less money bis col
lege course would come TO a premature
end from lack or remittances. Tracy
took II into his head one afternoon to
drive four-ln-hand. At his fayorite
stable they got him up team in the
best Of style, and Tracy, having taken
on load or fellows and girls, started
at a brisk pace on the main road to-
ward the city. The merriment was at
It's height when II very unpreteAtious
vehicle was Zen approaching drawn
by an equally unpretentious horse
Great heavens exclaimed Tracy.
81 do believe that's my father coming.
What'll | do?'
rs his eyesight goodT" asked one OF
the party.
Not very"
Then ignore him"
The senior Handyside, seeing party
OF young people approaching, drew off
to the side Of the road and waited for
them to pass. Unfortunately at the
moment OF meeting a teamster must
needs get In Tracy's way, so that he
was obliged to draw rein. He did not
notice his father, although the old man
shouted in angcred tones:
Tracy,
Finally the son turned his eyes in his
fathers direction.
What do you mean? Upon my
word"
"YOu are mistaken in your man. sir
| fancy" said Tracy in feigned sur
prise.
Mistaken, You young rascal"
Whom do you take me for;"
Take you for? Why. Tracy Handy
side, my son, DO you have the effron
terry to-
Haven't the honor OF his acQuaint
ance. I'm sorry | can't take time to
prove your error, sir, but I've n party
aboard and got to make twenty mile
tour and get back TO dinner"
With this he gave the wheecrs the
LASH tipped the leaders and left the
old gentleman aghnst between his
sons effrontery and n terror lest his
eyesight had gone back on him Tracy
drove out Of sight, then called con
sultation in which IL was suggested
that his father would drive 10 college,
learn that his son was not there-pos
sibly that he was driving four-in- hand
and Tracy's position would be some
thing terrible.
II am sorry to mar the pleasure OF
our drive" said Tracy, but father
will 90 hight past the stable, where
he'll likely stop to ask questions; then
to my room. | must coach the stable
men and be at my room when the gov
ernor calls"
After discussion as to the means "
doing this, 1t was finally determined
that Tracy should take one OF the lead
srs and gaIlop back By a roundabout
road and. by a quicker pace, forestall
his fnther. The horse was taken out
and divested OF all harness except the
Birdie Tracy mounted and was soon
tearing back to college. Half an hour
later he dashed up TO the stable from
which he had got his team, coached
the proprietors and in few minutes
more was IN his room behind a tortia
cation OF books.
Meanwhile the elder Handyside drove
INTO the town and, passing q stable,
drew rein and called for the owner
"Did you let a four-iH hand this aft
arnoonr' he asked
"Yes, sir"
ITO whom"
"hr Willard Stokes"
Are you sure it wasn't Handy side
"Handyside? Don't know him"
The old gentleman was not conyiuc-
ed. He had had evidence before that
bis sons creditors would stand by him
TO the bitter end. and nothing would
satisfy him but 10 go straight 10 his
sons room He tried the door and
found II locked After a few vigorous
knocks he WAS about to turn away
when he heard q voice inside say:
Get out, I'm boning for exam
Tracy" cried the astonished father,
''let me in
The latch few back, and Tracy stood
at the door and folded HIS parent in
his arms.
why, father, what brings you herel
Nothing wrong at home, | trust"
MY boy" gasped the old man, sink
ing into a chair, my eyesight is giving
way"
What makes you think %, fatheTr
asked Tracy, with anxiety depicted O..
every feature.
why, coming up the road ! met a
man driving fourl In hand whom !
would have sworn was you"
What does he look like, father"
Look like? Why, be looks Ike you"
Ibid he have on . cream coiored
driving ooatr'
Yea, believe he had"
silk hat?"
Yes"
High black and red coach with yel
low wheels"
why, suppose so. | didn't notice"
Don't give yourself any trouble,
pop. Your eyes are all right. That's
the fellow I've heard 30 much about
lAtaIy He lives over In KepwOod
They call him my double"
"1s his name Stokes?'
That's the man-stokes | wish
he'd leave the country He'ss wild fol
lov, and I'm always getting the credit
Of his scrapes"
Tracy, that II do for Mr.. Stokes.
I've come over to talk Over . fairly