The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-10-19

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ITS easy to see you've been well
brought up" said the woman, with a
disdainful glance at the loungers
that sprawled on the benches. 81
guess you don't bciong to this town.
NO" said Philip, my home is in
Pennsylvania"
I'm the cake-and-ple woman" vol.
unteered his companion, displaying a
badge, upon which was printed, "Su-
! perlntendent of Glass c." ut beats
ALL the way folks bring their dough-
nuts and cake, and goodness knows
what all else, without sign of plate
to put 'em on. Every year | have to
lug out a bushel or two of plates for
other peoples doughnuts. Come in
when you're hungry and I'll let you
sample some of mine. Thank you for
carryn' the baskets. If had a boy
I'd like him to be just such boy as
you are-mine went to Cuba"
Philip knew without further words
that the boy who had gone to Cuba
had not returned.
During the week that followed Mrs.
Bailey and the "tea-boy" exchanged
many courtesies in the way of cookies
and cups of tea, and the long. tlresome
days were pleasantcr for both in con-
sequence.
The last day of the fair was the time
set for an exciting series or horse
races. The attendance on Friday af-
ternoon exceeded all previous records.
and the entire crowd was assembled
upon or near the grand stand. Upon
the platform used for the acrobatic
performances Philip saw several men
with their heads close together over
certain small books. Philip had at
tended too many county fairs not to
recognize the men at once as profess
slonal betters, who were quietly max
ing wagers on the various races. Their
business Is seldom conducted openly at
the fairs, but surrepttious ways are
not hard for them to find.
Philip considered himself very much
of man, and quite capable of taking
care Of himself under any circum.
stances. To be sure. he had no inten.
tlon of betting, but he wanted to see
what was going on. The men on the
platform seemed to be having a lively
time; but as Philip was climbing over
the rail to join them, one of them
stopped him.
Kun home to your mother, sonny"
said the man, sneeringly. Were you
thinkln' Of putin five cents on some
body's nagT
Philip colored angrily, drew a roll
of bills from his pocket, and retorted.
II guess I'm old enough to bet If
want to. I've seen more horse races
this fall than you've ever seen alto
gether. know something about
horses, too. Here, just to show you
that I'm no greenhorn, I'll put fiyer
on Torchllght."
Philips knowledge of the ins and
outs of betting, however, was far more
limited than he suspected; but the
men winked at one another. They
scented an easy victim.
Torchlight won the first heat, and n
surprising number Of crisp bills found
their way into the lads hands. Elated
at sight of the money and spurred on
by the jeers and commentators of the
men, Philip threw caution to the
winds, staked all he had won-and
more-on the second heat, and lost.
In the meantime, Philips stout
friend, the motherly cake-and-pie wo-
man, had CHANGED to see, from her
place ON the opposite grand stand, the
group on the platform. Toward the
end OF the final heat, when every other
neck was craned TO see the horses
sweep down the home-stretch, Mrs.
Bailey sat with her shrewd eyes fixed
upon Philips face. She saw 1t grow
white as the horses swept past the
Judges stand and under the wire.
My land!' said she. "If I'd realized
sooner what he was up to I'd have
marched over there and rescued him!
But maybe he amt worth saving.
Dear me! don't know what this
worlds comm to-"
With empty pockets and hanging
head Philip worked his way through
the crowd and set of across the field
toward the little white tent. Mrs.
Bailey, surprised and disappointed,
watched him until he disappeared from
view. Then, with long, regretful
sigh, she gave him up.
IT'S a pity-a pltyw she said. "But
when a mere babe like that is steeped
In Vice II don't take him long to land
In the penitentiary-and him the pleas
antest boy l ever laid eyes on! l don't
know when I've been so mistaken In
anybody. Well, It's too bad-too badg'
Mrs Bailey decided that she would
nave nothing further to do with the
erring Philip. but some hours later.
when she had locked up her building
for the night. some motherly impulse
impelled her to look In upon her younp.
er neighbor for farewell word. II
was the last day Of the fair, and she
knew that the tea.tent would be gone
IN the morning.
"After ALL sayin' good-by amt goin'
10 make q gambler of me-" said she,
phiiosophicalIy, "and kind word ain't
goin' to do the lad any harm, II he IL
bad. When all's said and done. he's
been the politest young chap"
Mrs. Bailey opened the Dap Of the
tent and stepped In. Philip was seated
on wooden boz. with bis head against
the gasoline tank. his face buried In
bis hands. Hs had dismissed his a..