The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-01-24

a ~ - oA ooS - SNS 1905
>FoN ness Of that hour which
comes just before daybreak.
The wagon had been loaded with
produce the night before. so that when
he had harnessed old Bets he would
be ready to start on his drive of twenty
miles to the city. He was congratu'
lating himself upon his early start
when the kitchen door opened with a
creak, and Aunt Mandy called in eau
tious tones, Hewitt, o Hewitt, you'll
be careful on the way home. won't
you?"
Eyes, I'll be CAREFUL" he called back,
cheerily.
"And don't forget to put your money
in the sack and pin it inside your vest
with that safety-pin I gave YOU"
II won't forget" he answered, still
walking on.
The kitchen door closed, then opened
quickly with a decided squeak. and
Aunt Mandy called, in an exaggerated
stage whisper, Hewitt, o Hewitt"
and the whisper reached him down
the length of the yard. What do you
want?" he asked, a trihe Grossly, for
he did not like to be detained.
care you sure you've got the pis-
tol?:"
"Yes, I'm just as sure of it as I've
been every time I've started to the city
for the last fifteen years, and just as
SUI I won't have any 8 for it, and
TIL say right now that this is the last
time I ever intend to carry the old
thing along"
He shut the yard gate with a bang
THAT puta stop to all further warnings
from the kitchen door.
Out upon the road he started old Bets
at, a brisk trot. meaning to cover a
good part Of the drive before the sun
came up.
His lantern cast shadows upon each
side of the familiar road, making it
Hook strange and ghostly.
"'Tain't much wonder Mandy wor-
.ries and feels uneasy about me-" he
unused. "As many trips as I make be-
fore day and after night, it does seem
a bit risky, and always coming home
with money, too, but as for that high
wayman OF. hers that she's always COZ
juring up, that's too ridiculous for any
use. I guess the days past for high
waymen in this civilized. country,
leastways round about here" and he
chuckled as he thought of the many
times, he had listened to his wife's
aGmonition from the crack of the kitch-
: en- door.
The sun rose upon a glorious autumn
morning, and Uncle Hewitt logged
into the city in time for early market.
The load Of produce sold unusually
well, and by a little after moor Uncle
Hewitt was ready for the return trip.
After he. had passed the city limits.
he stopped old, Bets by the roadside,
and put the proceeds of his sales into
the little bag stitched by Aunt Mandy's
careful fingers for this purpose. He
pinned the bag inside his vest with the
safety-pin, and then started again on
the homeWard trip.
When about halfway home he saw
in the road just ahead Of him a dapper
young man. who walked with a slight
limp. AS Uncle Hewitt. drew up ven
with him, the stranger looked up and
asked, with a pleasant smile. could
you give a fellow a lift for a few
miles,?
well, now, I reckon I can. if you
think that riding behind old Bets will
be any quicker way of getting over
the road than walking" Uncle Hewitt
responded.
1T may not be any quicker, but it
will certainly be easier for n who is
slightly crippled, and I'm sure 1 am
very grateful to you"
This amt a stylish rig" Uncle
Hewitt said as he moved over to make
on the seat for his passenger.
ats just my market wagon, but it's a
good one, and has hauled many a pay
ing load for me-"
The young man proved Il good listen
er. and as Uncle Hewitt liked nothing
better than a good listener. he waxed
eloquent in his descriptions Of the
market business and the management
of a paying truck-farm.
The young man asked such very in
telligent questions at such opportune
times that Uncle Hewitt's heart
warmed toward him. and he was soon
telling him with. the utmost freedom
of his success of the day, Of the early
selling out, and of the round sum the
produce had brought him.
The talk continued on various lines
of teamwork, until in the midst of a
dissertation on the value of rotten
wood used as a fertilizer to start
sweet-potato beds properly, Uncle
Hewitt was interrupted by the young
man exclaiming. '0h. what is that
Over there, just beyond that big tree
Look quick"
Uncle Hewitt looked. but saw moth
ing unusual. When he turned agar
toward his companion he saw some
thing very unusual-the muZzle of {
shining revolver confronting him.
The young man was smiling. ant
said. pleasantly. Il was out looking
for game, and I an very lucky in find
ing you on one of your most successful
days. No, sou needn't make any dis
turbance. I happen to know that thu
country is not. thickly settled just here
and you cannot obtain help. Jus
hand me the proceeds. for to-day