The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-10
SHEARTNG A LAMB.
BY GEORGE sTEEDD.


 Copyright. 1905, by Daily Story Pub. Co. 'Oh. this is too good to be true" gasped Mf. James Burke, as he sank down in the grass by the roadside and rolled as though In pain. "oh. my eyes. oh. dear me- and ] can't even cackle about it. It's like taking candy away from a child. Oh, mamma fl don't laugh I'll just naturally bust, I know will" and Mir. Burke rolled over and over in the grass. his face purple from sup pressed laughter.
 Mfr. James Burke was a stranger in Potts Corners. He had come there from a city hospital where he had been operated on and left in a weakened condition, which called for country air and rest. So he had dropped off the train ono morning and taken board with the Widow Green. He proved to bs a sociable sort of 6 chap with the men, and was regarded as 6 distinct acquisition to the freduouteTH of Jones' store. His stories of life in the great City of Chicago were most entertaining albeit they ran largely to the various ways the fraternity of slick confidence men separated country visitors from their money.
 There was one diseordant note, h0wover1 Old Hezekiah Jenks refused to enthuso over the stories and even looked skeptical at times. But then. Hezekiah was regarded as a queer chap anyway. The old farmer had not openly expressed his disapprovel of the young mans stories however until this same day, and then only by inference. After one of Mr.. Burke's choicest bon nots he had spat effectively at the stove. shift ed his quid. and remarked:
 I'm goin' to Chicago myself next week ["
 Which remark drew a chorus of excla- nations.
 'Yep." he went on, Hanna and me are going to see the sights. And. by gum, I'm going to take along the fifteen hundred dollars we've got saved in the bank at Coonville, an see if can't turn a trick of these sllfred smart fellers Mir. Burke has been telln about, and I'll just try to turn a trick with 'em."
 There was a dead silence for moment. Then Pete Jones spoke up.
 ''EIezekiah Jenks, be you a natural born fool. or hev ye gone crazy7"
 Mary one. Pete.' retorted Hezekiah, throwing a cunning leer at the store keeper 'T just want c fling at the city. that's ali, an If lose my money I kin before, so I know. Anyway, I've got some business with lawyer fellow about Abners will, an I know kin do better to see him than by writin"
 It was at this juncture that Mir. Burke was seized with fit of coughing and made a dignified but rapid exit.
 All the foregoing facts may or may not explain how 1t happened that on the very day of their arrivel after depositing. Han nah and the two twin satchels in a room at a hotel, Hezekiah. while standing in the rotunda blinking at the lights and lodging the people, overheard a most interesting conversation Two well dressed men stood directly in front of him talking earnestly.
 know it's shame, but I've got to have tho money, and have it before to- nioht" said one. "If l don't get fifteen hundred dollars before night I will be ruined"
 s'I can sell 1t to Percy of the Fifteenth Ma ,tonal bank for twenty-five thousand, if vou can walt until his return replied the other "He is out of town and won't be back until Saturday"
 vouldn't take fifty thousand for it," re- ,orted inc first man. Come now, fs a fact that unless get fifteen hundred to- dav T will lose all have. You are in tn,,ch with monied men. know It's too had hut 1t would be worse to lose all I have Go and find me a buyer and I'll ~iva won A commission of five hundred, 1avabie in thirty days, when I get this other deal wound up
 ..Tbere.s plenty of people would jump at ,n. chance e" said the second man, hesitat- ;nS ,hut its rather late to-day, and then .n roorv are out of town at the Bankers co,y,ent,on My but its a chance for speculation. though
 ,or !" v1prmured Hezskiah to himself. Then sIoud to the men before him:
 .S sov mister mebbe kin help you o,,, T'rs got fifteen hundred dollars with " .tatss loose for specialization if 1t ino,s tight what ye got to seil?"
 .T be9 your pardon. sir" replied one of tbs men. Might l ask who you seil?" . ~os sir-ee ye Rin," replied Heze- ,,,h .Im Hezekah JenlSs. from Potts Corners. nlinoy. wouldn't hev said