Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-11-05

leller Dy MS general Eet-np. Martin
stiffened. and he spoke clear and
sharp.
Answer my question, II you please"
says he. is tho doctor herc?"
mo, he clint"
where is he?"
Gone"
felt sick. Maybe Hartley did too,
but he didn't show It.
Where has he gomez he asks.
II don't know that I've got to"
Il know. And for your own good
my friend, l advise that you tell me-
Where ia DR.. Jordan?"
The emperor come down of his
throne a little. I cal'late he fingered
| that twas good policy.
Hes gone to Brantboro," he says.
He went yesterday morning and he's
to leave there for Boston this fore
noon. Then he's going to Bar Harbor
for the rest Of his vacation. Anything
else you'd like to know
This last part was loaded 70 the
gunwale with sarcasm.
Yes says Hartley emphatic.
! Where is the doctor staying in Brant.
boro?'
Gold Spring house. Want to know
what he pays for his room?"
Martin didn't answer He walked to
the door. I stopped for jiffy.
See here, my smart aleck," says
to the clerk, you'll have some more
fun from this later on. when your boss
hears Of It. Do you know who It's
you've been sassing? That young man
is John d. Vanderbilt OF New York"
There is some satisfaction In a first.
class lie. 1t done me good to see that
clerk shri-el up.
Martin was calling 20 me. SOL" he
asks. like fash, how can I get to
Brantboro?"
You can't-in time to catch that
morning train. Brantboro's ten mile
off. and the train that gets here at 25
minutes of eight leaves there at 7:15.
That was the one we was to have the
doctor on. And it's past six now"
He spun around on his hsel. rs the
telegraph line to Brantboro working?"
he asked The clerk.
"No, sir! no, sir" My! but he was
polite. I'm sorry to say not, sir"
Can get horse here?"
The livery stable is right around
the corner; but don't think"
We was at that livery stable in less
than two shakes. The Teller that took
care of the horses and slept in the
stable loft was up and sweeping out
Have you got horse that will take
me to Brantboro in half an hour"
asks the Twin
Tho Teller stared at him. "Be you
crazy" says he.
Martin didn't answer Whose ma
chine Is that?' he asks.
He was pointing to a big automobile
in the stable. A great big red thing,
with a shiny painted hull and nickel
plated running rigging. .rtF
"Mr. Shearer's. He's away for q
week and we're keeping It for him.
Can / hire IT."
The fellers mouth fell open like
twas on hinges.
Hire it? Hire Mr.. Shearers auto
mobile?" says he. well, III be
darned!"
Where's your employer" asks
Hartley quick.
"Hey?"
Your boss" sings out. dancing up
and down. For the land sakes wake
tip, Who're is he?"
In the house, guess. Where do
you-"
We met the livery stable owner Just
coming out OF his kitchen with pan
Of leavings for the pig, He'd Just
turned out. knew him; his name
was Ben Baker Martin went at him
hot-foot. speaking in short sentences
81 want TO hire that auto in your
stable" he says. II must get to Brant
boro before seven o'clock. I'll pay
any price. But I must have It."
Then there was more arguing. Baker
said no. Was we crazy? He couldn't
let another mans auto TO the Almighty
himsel. And Mr.. Shearers auto, Of
all things, Why. Shearer would kill
him. And so forth and so On.
But Hartley kept cool He must
have the machine. He'd be response
BILE for damages. He explained about
the doctor
"I'll pay you-so and So says he
Never mind the price he offered. i
was so big that wouldn't be believed
il told It, Baker didn't believe il
:, either till Martin pulled out roll o.
. bills and showed him.
! "1Il buy the thing II necessary.
! says he Put I'll have It. Come. skip
per"
The shoier's up a Shearer's house,
says Baker. He"
Never mind the shofer. can ruE
It. Send your man with us, and II
leave the machine In his care at Brant
boro. Then the shofer can come afteI
H. I'll write to MI shearer and ex
, plain. Come en-
: IT'S all right, Ben" says. Hell
do all he tells you. and more. your
', never make a chunk OF money an!
!, easier"
Baker followed us TO the barn, say
ing mo" all the time. He Kept OF
!, saying it while the Twin was gettini
. up steam, or some such trick, IN thu
:. auto He said IL even after he'd go
the money In his hand. The hired maj
climbed In behind. Hartley and me II
, front. We chun-chufed out OF tn
stable door
4 For heavens sake" boilers Baker
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