The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-26
Our Daily Sport Story

, had thought of such an audacious thing as him offering to act as escort, yet the presence of tho buggy meant that he intended to keep somewhere in her vicinity, to have an oversight of her sdfety-perhaps he would even go on the train, riding Tn enc of the adJoin- ing cars.
 As the load of produce included eggs lG milk, progress would be slow, and u. i'd arranged for an early start; but before half the distance had been traversed they heard the sharp whirr of Johns approaching buggy wheels. As he flashed by, he was bending over in ostentatious search of something un- der the seat, but he gave her a bashful side glance which plainly said Don't be uneasy, Dorcas, I'll see things go right"
 By the time he strengthened up he was disappearing round bend in the road. But the glance had sent a soft color to her face, which fingered there through the long. rough ride, until fin- ally she was aroused by gruft:
 "Jerusalem! whoa there, Charlie!"
 They were at the junction of two roads; one led up to the station quar- ter of mile away, the other went on to the village two or three times that distance. Jethro was looking at her with dismay on his face.
 What is it?" che asked.
 "Why--why-do you reckon you could walk to the derot?" persuasively. "'Tain't but a step You see." apolo- getically, as he noted the surprise on her face, Ben Pokeys wagons just turning the corner down wonder, and If he gets in town ahead of me, he sells his stuff: and if I sell my stuff, like Miss Betty counts on. why, she ain't going to fuss at me much. see? Of course. I'm here to take you to the de- pot, and will now if you say the word; but it's bound to put me in behind Ben. And 1t ain't but a step"
 "Oh. I will walk. Jethro." laughed Dorcas; and placing a hand upon the enh-of the seat she sprang lightly to the ground. And you needn't tell Bet ty, either"
 It was a very dainty figure that went up the road to the station; and though she did not know it, the rich, soft goods taken from the old chest in the garret had again come round Into fashion.
 A whistle sounded in the distance, and Dorcas uttered a low cry of dis ney. The train was approaching, and she had thought there was plenty of time. Could she make 1t by running. she wondered? But a swift glance toward the station checked the i'm pulse, even as she sprang forward. The station was still an eighth of mile away. and she could see several carriages driving up to 1t. anu people standing on the platform. What a spectacle 1t would be for them to see a woman racing with the train: be- sides, she could not hope to reach 1t in time. Jethro-
 There was the swift approach of car riage wheels a pair ot splendid bays stopped beside her, and she looked up into the reassurlrg face of young drummer, who was selling moving ma chimes Tn the neiehborhood. Before she was aware of his intention. he had sprung to the ground and lifted her into the carriage and they were whirl- ing away with a long. circling cloud If dust trailing behind.
 Don't you worry. young ladv." the drummer shouted cheerily, 'Tll , get ~on there all right"
 What John Baldwin's feelings were as he stood on the platform watching ncne but himself ever knew, He saw rethro stop and Dorcas get out, then heard the train whistle and saw her start to run, and realized that his place was down there on the dusty road by Ter side instead of with the curious people at the station. When the drummer stopped and cook her in, the young farmers face grew hard and set, with flrmness his life had never known before.