The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-11
Rv otho B. senea.

way acduaintances, for he neither turned nor answered. Toms predominating quality assert ed itself. and he smiled good-humered-
 .Its fine day" he remarked pres ently.
 There was no response. The man shrank lower in his seat and pulled his hat down over his eyes. Tom had served his apprenticeship in hard school. and was not easily rebuffed. Can you tell me what kind of place Greenfield is?"
 Get off there and find out" snapped thin voice.
 T will if it is worth while" Tom returned pleasantly. How large a place is it?"
 t'what you want to know forg' eau tiously.
 I'm a travelling salesman--if there's I0 hardware store there--" There ain't," emphatically. Tom detected the dawnrng of curios- ity in the mans eyes, and knew he need make no further advances.
 You a parson?" distrustfully. Tom laughed. DO I look it?'' The other shook his head. You do look sorter well fed and kinder as if you exercised some" he admitted. add ing vindictively T hare parsons" Tom handed card to him which he IGdu dlDuu Wlk1 H@ttSANhS1AFAAs Thomas Jackson. Harcware Special ties With Burton Brothers"
 T believed you, of course, Mir. Jack son, but seein' it in print makes It seem much stronger lifze. Will you get off at Greenffeld?"
 Nothing doing in my line. you said"
 'wilI you get off as ravor to me- if make it worth whileT'
 "What'g the joker
 '"Taint no joke" rremulously. its sore earnest. I'll pay ten dollars for your company from the time this train gets into Greenfield till the next one goes back to Anderson I've got a awful trial ahead of me-a trial thatd take the spunk out'n most men, and feel" the thin voice breaking pitiful- Iy. q feel that need help"
 Tom put his hand 5oothingly on the trembling shoulder
 There, there, don't get excited! Tell me what you've done"
 SDone, I ain't done nothin'. except work hard and save up my money, and that's what they want, dunn emp He shook his fist nenanicngly, and the tears of impotent rage gathered in his eyes.
 Do you live in Greenheld?" ques- tioned Tom.
 "No, I don't live nowheres. I give up Twin most year ago. Pm just stayin' now--in Anderson, hidin' from 'em." and a shudder swept over his small frame.
 "Then you used to live in Green feld?" gently.
 'Yes. I own proppiey there-three houses in the village. and ninety acre farm two miles away. "Yes. and most sold" patheticaly. "the papers is being drawn up now That's what I'm going back Tor signing heavily.
 ''The old deeds?" encouragingly.
 His thin face flushed redly, and he seemed embarrassed.
 Moo, somethin' I left fin my best cloes at the farm. I--I left kinder in hurry, and didn't take nothin' except what I had on I rented the farm house furnished, through a agent in 1 Anderson. After the deeds Is passed wouldn't feel to go- he paused: adding softly, 'Tve got to get thatT why, of course. you want your clothing and other personal effects" l "Ill take the cloes, but 1t ain't them I'm going back for--irs somethin' l | left in the vest pocket" and again i Jackson noted the crimson flood that dyed the anxious face. | "I believe" Tom remarked, genial ly. that Eve forgotten your name" His companion drew nearer. and whispered explosively. "Abner Pal- mer-but don't say it out loud You see. I'm disguised" Tom passed his hand over his mouth it was difficult to oe properly seri-
 "Yes?" he murmured. expectantly. .aThese cloes-they ain't anything like I used to wear. and they belonged to a man as big as you be-" They must change your appearance considerably"
 eagerly, there might nothin' happen but I'd feel more safer if you was along" signing apprehensively.
 why didn't you have your cloth ing sent by expressY T was afeard-afeard that the what I had in 'em might get lost. Hes left his roll in his best clothes" thought Tom. "oh, well. I've done siIlier things-I'll get off at Greenfield, and see the old fellow
 'eTwon't take more than two hours" urged Palmer, that Is, if nothin' don't happen to me" declared, convincingly '1ll go to the farm, help you bring back your clothes. and see you on the return train to Anderson"
 Palmer was like a small boy rein forced by his big brother.
 q guess there won't nothin' happen to me-" he cried, boastfully. No body'll know me in these cloes, and if anybody speaks to ms you tell 'em I'm MT. Mahoney, from Boston. We'll
 "Greenheld, GreenHeld!" called the brakeman.
 Palmer gave a frightened glance out of the window, and sank back upon the seat--a limp, huddIing heap of clothes.
 one on 'em nowl" ger, but saw only stout, middle-aged woman.
 she's goin' to get on,' faltered Pal mer; she's got me nOw''
 NO, she hasn't" retorted Jackson; .'here, stand up!" dragging him into the aisle. "go out the other door
 when the train had punfed out from the little station. PalnIer's itful cour- age returned. Go on, Cum ye," shak- ing his fist at the receding train, there's one dunn critter out Of my way, anyhow4 He peered anxiously about him, in every direction.
 sure thing" Tom responder heart- fly, "I'n enjoy it."
 They walked for a rew minutes in silence, Tom occasionally glancinS down at the strange ngure at his side, with feeling of amusement curios- ity. and compassion.
 Let's cross over," suggested Pal mer, we're coming 70 the store, and some of 'em may be in there. l9 keep