Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-06-11
The Robbery on
The Valley Pike

IL WAS curly a l1Oh Aih5t
Father and I, with Joel Pierce. the
hired man, were In the barn-yard, pre-
pairing for the days work, when old
Deacon Hamilton drove up the lane
Deacon Hamilton lived In ClVYllle,
eight miles distant, and was the ia
Their of Ben Hamilton, Clayvilie's emily
blacksmith.
The deacon stopped at the gate
"Good morning. Mr.. Norcross!" he
said. addressing my father. I'm just
on my way up to Hocum's mill, and
promised son I'd stop here and give
you a message from him. He says II
that offer you made him last Thurs
day still holds good, he'll take the
roam colt, and pay spot cash for 1t.
He says he wants 1t right away, and
would like you to send it down this
morning. Good day." Jerking the
lines, the deacon drove on
Joel and l, 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.
'Tom," said he, Joel and I will
more than have our hands full to-day
with the extra work, so neither of US
can spare time to go down to Clay
Vile. But 1 need that eighty dollars
Now do you think you could take the
colt down to Clayville without break
ing your neck, and bring back the
eighty dollars without losing it all on
the wayY
"oh, yes, father, yes!" I cried,
eagerly. LET me do 1t! can take
the colt down as safely as you or Joel
could And you neeGn't be afraid of
that"
After a moments hesitation, father
said, well, put the saddle and bride
on the colt and bring 1t out"
l had never been permitted to ride
the colt before, SO 1 hailed this unex
pected opportunity with delight.
1t was eight miles to Clayville, just
the right distance for a pleasant morn
ing's ride. And the walk home was as
nothing to me. Then, too, this prospec-
tive mission had in 1t an element of
importance-the sum Of money with
which l was to be entrusted.
In less than four minutes had sad
died and bridled the colt, aud had led
1t down to the gate, where father was
awaiting me.
Now, Tom," said father, after look
ing the colt over, you can leave the
saddle and bride at Hamilton's, and
we'll get them the next time we drive
TO town"
He paused for a moment, and then
proceeded to give me instructions about
the eighty dollars that l was to bring
home. l was to put this In fathers
leather wallet, tie the wallet securely
at the top, and place it in the inside
pocket of my roundabout
Ten minutes later l rode the colt out
through the barn-yard gate, and down
the lane to the pike.
Out on the broad, smooth pike, the
= colt, with but little urging, started off
at an easy, swinging gallop. The air
was cool and crisp; the grass at the
roadside sparkled with dew, and up in
the treetops the birds were singing
their sweetest songs.
The clock on the court house was
striking eight as 1 arrived In Clayville
and rode down Main street, upon
which, a block beyond the court house.
IS situated the village smlthy.
When l rode in through the door
way of the smithy, and slipped down
from the saddle. flushed and warm
from my ride, Hamilton was fitting a
shoe to one of the most magnificent
horses that l have ever seen. With
the single exception Of a white star on
its forehead. the horse was entirely
black, It's glossy coat resembling the
finest black satin. 1t continually toss
ed its head, arching Its pretty neck.
and nuttering its thick black name !;
and could not but notice bow plain
and ugly our poor roam colt looked In
comparison.
Hamilton looked up and nodded as l
entered. but Immediately gave his at
tention to the black horse.
"How would you like to trade. bub?'
said a voice behind me. Turning, I
discovered a man whom had not no
tlced before. seated upon a nail-keg
near the door.
ais that your horseT" inquired, as,
having made the colts bride fast to a
post, ] seated myself upon another
overturned kcg near the stranger.
Yes" he replied. smiling. that Is
my horse"
The stranger seemed a very pleas
ant man in his manner. and not I'M
pleasant In appearance. He was about
sfty years of age, or perhaps year or
two older; he was short and stout. and
had a round face, which was smooth
shaver and very red. An0 his eyes.
very isttle and very round. twinkled
merrIly. like two little green beads.
Have you come far this mornlng?''
he asked.
/ replied that I had come from my
home. eight miles up the pike.
You've brought your horse down to
be shod. have your was bis next
query.
mo, SIR" said. ''he doesn't need
20 be shod. have brought him down
TO sell. Mr.. Hamilton is going to buy
him.
During the next few minutes the
stranger sat silent, blinking at the
back OF the shop, where his horse was
occupying Hamilton's attention Their
suddenly turning. be said. Are you II
a hurryT
On my replying that was In hur
~, sslng needed at home. he told Ham
ilton 10 attend to me and let his owT
horse walt considered this very kind
and thanked him.
Hamilton thrust Unfinished
horseshoe back among the glowing EN-
bers, worked the bellows several times
ana than s%ar1.o ovar N, ,xknra fha for