Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-06-06
The Robbery on
The Valley Pike
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


Father and /, with Joel Pierce, the
hired man, were in the barn-yard, pre-
pairing for the days work, when old
Deacon Hamilton lived in Clayville,
eight miles distant, and was the ia
Their of Ben Hamilton, Clayyille's only
blacksmith.
The deacon stopped at the gate.
"Good morning, Mr.. Norcrossl" he
said, addressing my father. "Im just
on my way up to Hocum's mill, and l
promised son I'd stop here and give
you a message from him. He says If
that offer you made him last Thurs
day still holds good, he'll take the
roam colt, and pay spot cash for it
He says he wants it right away, and
would like you to send it down this
morning. Good day." Jerking the
lines, the deacon drove on.
Joel and 1, 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.
TEN" said he, Joel and 1 will
more than have our hands full to-day
with the extra work, 50 neither Of US
can spare time to go down to Clay
vile. But | 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 Way?"
"Oh, yes, father, yes!" l cried,
eagerly. Let me do it! l can take
the colt down as safely as you or Joel
could. And you needn't be afraid of
my losing the money. I'll look out for
that"
After a moments hesitation, father
said, well, put the saddle and bride
on the colt, and bring it OUT
l had never been permitted to ride
the colt before, SO l hailed this unex-
pected opportunity with delight.
1t was eight miles to Clayville, just
the right distance for pleasant morn
ings 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 | 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 l arrived in Clayville
and rode down Main street, upon
which, a block beyond the court house,
is situated the village smithy.
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, its glossy coat resembling the
finest black satin. 1t continually toss
ed its head, arching its pretty neck,
and huttering its thick black name
and l could not but notice bow plain
and ugly our poor roam colt looked in
comparison.
Hamilton looked up and nodded as |
entered, but Immediately gave his at.
tention to the black horse.
How would you like to trade, bub ~
said a voice behind me. Turning, |
discovered a man whom l had not no
ticed before, seated upon a nail-kes
near the door.
us that your horse?" 1 inquired, as
having made the colts bride fast to q
post, l seated myself upon another
overturned kcg near the stranger.
YES" he replied, smiling, that /:
my horse"
The stranger seemed a very pleas
ant man in his manner, and not IN
pleasant in appearance. He was abou
sfty years of age, or perhaps year oil
two older; he was short and stout, anC
had round face, which was smooth
shaven and very red. And his eyes
very little and very round, twinkle(
merrily, like two little green beads.
Have you come far this morning?'
he asked.
l replied that had come from m.
home, eight miles up the pike.
You've brought your horse down t
be shod, have you?" was his mex
query.
mo, SIR 1 said, 'he doesn't neet
to be shod. 1 have brought him dowI
to sell. Mr.. Hamilton is going to blu!
him"
During the next few minutes tn,
stranger sat silent, blinking at til,
back of the shop, where his horse wa
occupying Hamilton's attention. Thel
suddenly turning, he said, Are you Il
a hurry?"
On my replying that 1 was in a hur
~, being needed at home, he told Ham
ilton to attend to me and let his owl
horse wait 1 considered this vepS kin,
and thanked him.
Hamilton thrust a half-finfshe,
horseshoe back among the glowing EN-
beers, worked the bellows several times
and then came over to where the col
,vaS He'd He united II Apd lad