Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-01-20
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UNCLE HEWITT'S
HIGHWAYMAN
S~R
By LULU LINTON.
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By LULU LINTON.

tfous tones, Hewitt. y Hewitt, you'll
be careful on the way home, won
you?'
Eyes, III be- carefulw he called back
cheerlly.
land don't forget to put your money
i'll the sack and pin it inside your yes
with that safety-pln l gave you"
Il won't forget" lie answered, still
walking on.
The kitchen door closed, then opened
quickly with decided squeak, and
Aunt Mandy called, in an exaggerated
stage whisper, Hewitt, o Hewittg'
and the whisper reached him down
the length of the yard. What do YOU
want| lie asked, Il trife Grossly, for
he did not like to be detained.
Are you sure you've got the pls-
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
sure l won't have any use for it, and
I'll say right now that this is the last
time / ever intend TO carry the old
thing along"
He shut the yarG gate with a bang
that put stop to all further warnings
from the kitchen door.
Out upon the road he started old Bets
at a brisk trot, meaning to cover q
good part of the drive before the sun
came up. .sI
His lantern cast shadows upon each
ffo555f Afut&a fafiWH j g!itBslr road, making it
"'Tain't much wonder Mandy wor-
ries and feels uneasy about me-" he
unused. "As many trips as l make be-
fore day and after night. 1t does seem
a bit risky, and always coming home
with money, too, but as for that high
wayman of hers that she's always con-
juring up, that's too ridiculous for any
use. l 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
admOntion from the crack of the kitch-
en- door.
The sun rose upon q 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 noon Uncle
Hewitt was ready for the return trip.
After he had passed the city limits,
lie stopped old Bets by the roadside.
and put tle proceeds of his sales into
the littlC 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 hallway home he saw
in the road just ahead of him dapper
young man, who walked with slight
limp. AS Uncle Hewitt drew up even
with him. the stranger looked up and
asked, with pleasant smile, Gould
you give a fellow a lift for a few
miles,"
well, now, l reckon l 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 1t
will certainly he easier for one who is
slightly crippled. and I'm sure l am
very grateful to you"
This amt stylish rig" Uncle
Hewitt said as he moved over to make
room on the seat for his passenger
ITS just my market wagon, but it's a
OnD1 nl hnc hnI
ing load for me-
The young man proved good listen
er, and rs Uncle Hewitt liked nothing
better than a good listener, he waxed
eloquent in his descriptions of the
market business and the management
of paying truckfarm.
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 ont, and of the round sum the
produce had brought him.
The talk continued on various lines
of farm work, until in the midst of n
dissertation on the value of rotten
wood used as II fertilizer to start
sweet-potato beds properly, Uncle
Hewitt was interrupted by the young
man exclalming oh. what is that
Over there. just beyond that big tree!
Look Quickr'
Uncle Hewitt looked, but saw moth.
inc 11uncTnY NNbar, tppnaH In
toward his companion he saw some
thing very unusual-the muZzle of q
shining revolver confronting him!
The young man was smiling, and
said, pleasantly, 81 was out looking
for game. and am very lucky in find
ing you on one of your most successful
days. No, you needn't make any dis
turbance. happen TO know that the
country is not thickly settled jrst here
and you carnOt obtain help. JUS
hand me the proceeds for to-day
please, and you may keep your watcl
and OthS- valuables.'
Uncle Hewitt started TO open hi,
mouth. but the look IN the young mans
eyes and a little click near his owl
eyes caused him to open his vest in
stead. and hand Ger the little bas
containing the precious Finds.
The Dung man bowed politely; then
as he climbed from the wagon, he said
II wish TO thank you for your kind
ness. and in return let me give you 1
bit of advice Don't make 1t a Gus
tom to take in strange passe ugers an,
give them your confidence. Good-by
MIR. Hayseedv