Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-02-22

| err Dale. 1t was near dinner
| time, and Allen, Trove and
| the two hired men were try
ing feats in the dooryard. Trove, then
a boy of fifteen, had outdone them all
at the jumping. A stranger came
along, riding big mare with young
lilly at her side. He was tall, spare
man, past middle age, with red,
smooth shaven face and long gray hair
that fell to his rolling collar. He turn
ed in at the gate. A little beyond it
his mare halted for mouthful of
grass. The stranger unslung strap
that held a satchel to his side and hung
1t on the pommel.
| "Go and ask what we can do for
him." Allen whispered to the boy.
Trove went down the drive, looking
up at him curiously.
What can 1 do for you?" he in
CURED.
"Give me thy YOUTH" said the stran-
ger quickly, his gray eyes twinkling
under sllvered brows.
The boy, now smiling, made no an
swer.
Mop said the man, as he came on
slowly. well, then. were thy wit as
good as thy legs 1T would be o some
use to me-"
The words We're spoken with dignity
IN deep, kindly tone. They We're also
family sailed with Irish brogue.
He approached the men, ali eyes fix
ed upon him with look of inquiry.
Have ye ever seen drunken sailor
on mast?" he inquired Of Allen.
NO"
well, sor," said the stranger, dis
mounting slowly, II am not that. Let
me consider-have We ever seen CO.
coanut on plum tree?
Il believe not" said Allen, laughing.
well, sor. that is more like me. Ills
long since rode a horse. am am out
o. place in the saddle"
He stood erect with dignity, smile
deepening the many lines in his face.
"Can do anything for your" Allen
asked.
"Aye-cure me O. poverty. Have We
any clocks to mend?"
Clocks! Are you tinker?" said AL
len.
Il am, sor, an at thy service. Could
beauty, me lord, have better commerce
than with honestly"
They all surveyed him with curiosity
ana amusement as he tied the mare.
All had begun to laugh His words
came rapidly on quick undercurrent
OF good nature. A clock sounded the
stroke of midday.
What. no! The clock" said he, look
ing at his watch. "Thy time hath a
tagging foot. Marry, were l that slow,
sor, I'd never get to heavenw
Mother" said Allen, going to the
doorstep. there is a tinker, and he says
the clock is SLOW"
ut seeIas to be out of ORDER" said
his wife, coming to the step.
Seems, madam! Nay, it is!' said
the stranger. Did We mind the stroke
'WSo," said She.
.'Marry, twas like the calkof dying
man."
Allen thought moment as he whit
tied.
Had such a stroke on me Td-I'd
think I was paralyzed," the stranger
added.
you'd better fix it, them" said Allen.
"Thou art wise, good man." said the
stranger. "Mind the two hands on the
clock an keep them to their place OF
they'll heckon thee to- poverty.%
The clock was brought to- the door.
step, and all gathered about him as he
went to work.
I'VE know power o. Scripter," said
one of the hired men.
"Scripter," said the tinker laughing
II do, sor, an much of it according to
the good st. William. Have We never
read Shakespeare"
None who sat before him knew any,
thing of the immortal bard.
"He writ book bout Dan'l Boone
an the Injuns," a hired man ventured
"'Angels an ministers O. grace de-
fend usp" the tinker exclaimed.
Trove laughed.
"I'll give We riddle" said the tinker,
turning to him.