The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-01-17

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
your
''Yes, I'll be carefulr' 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 l gave you"
Il 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 Hewittw
and the whisper reached him down
the length of the yard what do you
want?" he asked, trlfle Grossly, for
ne did not like to be detained
"Are you sure you've got the pis-
,ol?"
Yes, I'm just as sure of it as I've
oeen 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 yard gate with bang
that put a stop to all further warnings
from the kitchen door
Out upon the road he started old Bets
at 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
look 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
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. guess the days past for high
waymen in this civilized country,
Ieastways round about here" and he
chuckled as he thought of the many
times he had listened to his wife's
admonition from the crack of the kitch-
en- door.
The sun rose upon a glorious autumn
into the city in time for early market.
The load of produce sold unusually
well. and by 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 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 q slight
limp. AS Uncle Hewitt drew up even
with him, the stranger looked up and
you give fellow lift for few
miles?"
We'll, now, l 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
"it may not be any quicker, but it
m ha Ell fO.s a..
slightly crippled, and I'm sure I 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
good one, and has hauled many a pay
ing load for me-"
The young man proved a good listen
er, and as Uncle Hewitt liked nothing
better than good listener, he waxed
eloquent in his descriptions OF the
market business and the management
of 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
Yelling him with the utmost freedom
oil 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
or farm-work, 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. "Oh. what is that!
Over there, just beyond that big tree,
Look quickr
Uncle Hewitt looked, but saw moth.
ing unusual. When he turned again
toward his companion he saw some.
thing very unusualAthe muzzle of a
shining revolver confronting him!
The young man was smiling and
said, pleasantly, II was out LOOKING
& <n game, and am very lucky in and
0(g you on one OF your most successful
Rys. No, you needn't make any dis.
urbance. happen to know that the
ountry Is not thickly settled Just here
Ind you cannot obtain help. Jus1
hand me the proceeds Tor TODAY