The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1907-07-18
The Robbery on
The Valley Pike

II was early on a summer mornins'
Father and /. with Joel Pierce. the
hired man. were IN the barn-yard' pre-.
pairing Tor the days work. wlsen oia
Deacon Hamilton drove up the lane.
Deacon Hamilton lived In ciaysiiie'
tight miles distant. and was the ia
ther OF Ben Hamilton. clayyiile's only
blacksmith.
The deacon stopped at the gate
-Good morning. Mr. Norcross DC
said. addressing my father. I'm Just
on my way up 20 Hocum's MILL ana
promised son I'd stop here and give
you a message from him. He says u
that orer you made him last Thurs
day still holds good. he'll take tne
roam colt. and pay spot cash Tor ~
He says he wants IL right away, ana
would like you 10 send u down TINS
morning. Good day" Jerking the
lines. the deacon drove on
Joel and /, having oiled all -FOUR
wheels OF the large hay wagon. start
ed toward the barn; but just as !
reached the door. father called me
back.
TON" said be. Joel and VIII
more than have our hands full to-day
with the extra work. 30 neither or US
can spare time 70 70 down 70 Gay
vile. Bot need that eighty dollars
Now DO you think you could take the
colt down TO clayviile without break
ing your neck. and bring back the
eighty dollars without losing Il all on
the wayf-
-oh. yes father. yes'" cried.
eagerly. let me do IL! can take
the colt down as safely as you or joel
cpuid- And you needn't be afraid OF
my losing the money. III look out Tor
that
After a moments resifation. father
said. -weil. put the saddle and bride
on the colt. and bring II out
had never been permitted TO roe
the colt before. 80 hailed this unex-
pecied opportunity with delight
II was eight niles to Ciayville. Just
the right distance FOR pleasant morn
. lng's ride. And the walk home was as
nothing to me. Then. too. this prospec-
, tive mission had In II an element OF
, lmporfance-fhe sum OF money with
, which was to be entrusted
In less than four minutes had sad
dled and brsdled the colt, aud had led
u down to the gate. where father was
awaiting me.
-xow. Tom" said father. after look
snx the colt over. you can leave the
saddle and bride at Hamilton's. and
; wen get them the next time we drive
TO town
He paused for moment and then
: proceeded 20 give me instructions about
: the eighty dollars that l was 20 brine
! home. / was TO put this In fathers
leather wallet. tie the wallet securely
: az The top. and place IL In the inside
pocket OF my roundabout
Ten minutes later ! rode the colt oul
through the harn-yard gate. and down
the lane 20 the pike.
out on the broad. smooth pike. The
colt. with but little urging. started on
7 at an easy. swinging gaiiop. The all
was cool and crisp: the grass at thu
roadside sparkied with dew. and up II
the treetops the birds were singins
their sweetest songs.
The clock on the court house wal
striking eight Us arrived In Ciayvill'
and rode down Main street. upoi
which. a block beyond the court house
,s situated the village smithy.
when I rode in through the door
wav Of the smithy. and slipped dow
: ,ron, the saddle. flushed and warn
y from my ride. Hamilton was fitting ,
.hoe 10 one OF the. most magnificen
a hor~ea that have ever seen. Wit
, the single exception OF white star OF
. Its forehead. the horse was entirel,
9 black. Its glossy coat resembling th
onrst black satin II continually toss
~ ia head. arching Its pretty neck
ana eutfering It's thick black name
.na could not but notice bow plall
and uely our poor roam colt looked II
II comparison.
n Hamilton looked up and nodded as
= entered. but Immediately gave his at
!. tentloa to the black horse.
: GLOW would you like to trade. bubT
. sa,d a voice behind me- Turning.
= discovered man whom had not no
It,eed before. seated upon nail-kc'
near the door.
d as that your horse7' inquired. a.
= having made the colts bride fast 10
= most. / seated myself upon anothe
|. overturned kcg near the stranger.
a ~YeA" he replied, smiling. that !
4 my horse-"
y The stranger seemed very pleas
4 ant man In his manner, and not un
II pleasant in appearance He was abou
afty years OF age. or perhaps year o