Alaska sentinel., 1907-03-14

dIc NlcNcI bOsp 1Ou lC mopping all the cobwebs away"
 q can't mop away this lump" re- marked the boy, but guess it's noth- ing more than a hard bump"
 Then the stranger suddenly arose and stared about him. Then he stared at the boy.
 "Got spill, did IF he asked.
 "Yes," the boy replied.
 T remember that I sheered of the road, and I remember falling Must have bumped my head. Did you pick me up?"
 "Yes."
 What's your name"
 Benjamin Phillips"
 He moved about little and stretch ed his legs and worked his arms.
 Seems to be all right" he said, Sex cept this sore head. That your horseT
 "Yes"
 q suppose you could take me down to the village and get somebody to come up and fix the machine. I'll pay you well for your time"
 The boy looked at the careened au- tomobile.
 "I think can get that back into the road again." he said.
 The stranger looked at him with half closed eyes. There was a sturdi- ness about the lad that pleased him, firmness about the chin that meant de- termination and confidence.
 "Yery we'll" the stranger said. "I'll pay you for that. too"
 The boy studied the situation deliber- ately. Then he brought forward long fence rail and number of stones. He arranged these in a pile beneath the auto and then, using the rail as lever, he slowly and carefully raised the car and slowed 1t onto the high way. The stranger watched him with an unwavering gaze.
 Good" he said. Know anything about cars?
 'yery little." replied the boy. But I know something about machinery
 Perhaps you can tell then what's the matter with the steering apparatus of the automobile"
 Perhaps I can," said the boy. Have you a wrench?"
 Under the seat" said the stranger. The boy found the wrench and crawled beneath the car. Presently be emerged.
 "A joint was loose and nut needed tightening, and there was a bent rod to straighten."
 Quite enough" said the stranger.
 The boy looked up.
 "How's your head, sir?" he asked.
 The man made a grimace
 Tt aches,' he said. Tt aches con- foundedly.
 He was a slender man, little above the medium in height, man with a pale and serious face and with his thin hair touched with gray. His well-flt- ting suit was gray, too, and soft gray hat lay on the grass close to the car. He picked the hat up and carefully drew 1t on his head.
 q think you'll feel better soon, sir" Sulu lue DOS. 4OuE Hcdu WaS pretty badly bumped.
 The man looked at the car.
 "Will she play me any more tricks" he said.
 "I think not" the boy replied. But there Is a bolt h there that Is likely to work loose, and that should be re- placed before you travel much further. If you are going toward the village and will stop a moment at our gunshop 1 guess I can find bolt that will be just the thing"
 Good" said the stranger as he took lis seat. "I suppose I am to lead the procession"
 The car moved ahead slowly, and the boy followed in the light wagon.
 It was a ride of less than half mile, and as the stranger drove the car over the single span bridge that crossed the crawling creek, the boy called to him:
 Turn to the right, sir," he said. Here is the shop"
 The stranger obeyed the direction and found himself In front of a two story frame structure, painted a dark red and with a sign over the door, Joseph Hammer. Gunsmith and Re pair Shop" 1t read.
 The stranger alighted and the boy joined him.
 "Is this your workshopT queried the stranger.
 "Yes, sir" He laughed. i've been working here more or less since I was a small boy" He thrust the key into the lock of the front door, Come In, sir. The place Is In my charge a good deal of the time. Joe-that's the man who owns the shop-is badly crippled by rheumatism. and unless the weath- CT Is pleasant he doesn't come over. This Is our office. And back here Is our workroom. Light and airy, Isn't