The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-12-11

Very good" said s'Now I'll Just
look about the town bit. You may
come with me. If you gplease. Fitz-
hugh
Yes, SIR"
And Abrams and. Lockhart may go
scouting II they like"
Abrams and Lockhart thought they
would like.
Better keep together" continued.
What's the earliest time any one
could get here?"
Two o'clock-if they drove over"
I'll be around here by that time.
You, Abrams, can look out for the
road and see who comes into town"
An right. SIR" said Abrams. There
won't anybody get in here without !
catch sight of him."
Lockhart nodded his assent 20 the
boast, and after cautioning the men
who were left behind we sailed forth.
The town was struggling, not UNI
pleasing country place. The business
street was depressing with its stores
closed and its saloons open. In the
residence streets I was better pleased.
Man had done little but nature was
prodigal to make up for his omissions.
The buildings were poor and fiimsy,
but In the middle of December the
flowers bloomed. vines were green,
bushes sent forth their leaves and the
beauty of the scene even under the
leaden skies and rising gale made II a
delight to the eye.
mot much of a place." said Fitzs
hugh, looking disdainfully at the build.
ings. Hello! Here's Dick Thatcher.
How are you. Dick? It's a year OF
Sundays that haven't seen you. This
is-er-a friend of mine, Thatcher
you needn't mention that you've seen
US"
I'VE needn't be strangers to Mr..
Thatcher" l laughed. my name is
Wilton. OF course you won't mention
our business"
"Oh. no. Mr.. Wilton,r said Thatcher.
impressed. and shifting the quid OF to-
bacco In his lantern jaws. "of course
not"
And you needn't say anything OF
our being here at ALL" continued.
ut might spoil the trade"
NUNS the word" said Thatcher.
I'm not let soul know till you say
Let 'er 60 Q Lordl hope the trade
goes through. We want lot more
capital here"
Mr.. Thatcher began TO scratch his
head and to expectorate tobacco Juice
copiously. and l suspected he was
wondering what the secret might be
that he was not TO betray. So made
haste to say:
rs this stable yours?"
"Yes, sir" said Thatcher eagerly.
I've been running It nigh on two
years now"
Pretty good business. Ell. Dick?"
said Fitzhugh. looking critically about.
"Nothia' TO brag on" said Thatcher
disparagingly. You don't make a
fortune running a livery stable in
these parts-times are too hard"
And then Mr.. Thatcher unbent, and
between periods OF vigorous masuca-
ton at his cud, introduced us to his
horses and eagerly explained the ad-
vantages that his stable possessed
over any other this side OF Oakland.
Very good" said. I'VE may want
something in your line later. We can
find you here at any time. I suppose"
20 Lord. yes. live here days and
sleep here nights. But II you want TO
take look at the property before 1t
gets a wetting you'll have to be pretty
spry."
My suggestion of trade had misled
the worthy stableman into the impress
sion that / was considering the pur-
chase OF real estate.
'Tll see about IT," said.
There's a big rain coming on. sure"
he said warningly, as we turned back
to the hotel.
II was a little after l o'clock. but as
We approached our quarters Lockhart
came running toward me.
what is it?" | asked, as he painted,
out OF breath.
There's special train Just come
in" he said; ian engine and one car
It's at the station now"
so? Did any Of our friends come
on it?"