The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-02-13
FARMER s1MpK1Ns' TRIP TO TOWN.
BY o. ELLswoRrH youMAns.

BY o. ELL&WORTH YoUMAEs.
"Now, William, do be careful
won't your"
"I'm always careful, Sarah" ht
sang out, as he continued on his way
to the barn. There's no use in youl
continually telling me that. I'm ole
enough to take care of myself. No
body's goin' to get the best of Viii
liam Simpkins."
She did not reply, but stood in The
door gazing after him.
Mr.. Simpkins seemed uncommonly
cheerful that morning. He whistled
merrily as he hitched old Bob to the
farm wagon. Why shouldn't he be
happy? Crops had been good; hi:
barns were full of grain and hay; hi.
cellar was also stocked with the good
things that only the thrifty housewife
such as he was blessed with, know:
how to put away. No wonder he
felt contented as he went about hi:
work.
He had very important business
He was to make the last payment or
his farm tomorrow consequently ht
was compelled to go to town and gel
the money, having deposited it the
bank during the Summer. Congrat-
ulating himself on bis early start, he
was passing the kitchen, when hi:
wife called to him.
"William William i! Now do be
careful. You've great responsible
ty this morning"
t'I know it-but don't worry"
Don't forget to put that money il
safe place"
"Iwon't, he answered impatiently
Before he reached the road he wa:
again stopped by his wife.
"Well, what is it now?" he asked
shortly.
"Don't forget the things I told yor
to get"
''I won't, Sarah" ("
"And, William, have you got YOU
pistol {"
eyes," he answered, feeling in his
pocket. "But won't need it." He
did not like to carry the pistol, but
his wife saw that he never went of
without it.
Once on the road, he made old Bot
trot along at fast gait-that is, fast
for Bob. He wanted to get back
home as soon as possible.
II don't blame Sarah for being
worried about me-" he unused. 81
make good many trips to town every
year, and most alters carry money
Don't see much need of carryir' this
old pistol all the time, though"
He arrived in town long before the
bank opened. Meeting some old
friends on the street, he entered into
conversation with them, telling tc
more than one the nature of his bust
ness. Having at last transacted it,
he started for home, with the money
FIVE hundred dollars, tucked securely
away in his inside vest pocket.
He had not proceeded far when he
overlook a we'll. dressed young man,
who asked him for a ride. 'Jumr
in" said Simpkins, who always tried
to be sociable. "Old Bob don't &c
very fast, but l reckon it beats walk
i'm" The stranger thanked him an6
jumped in. He proved an excellent
talker and entertained Simpkins with
many Jokes and anecdotes.
"Look there |" he exclaimed in ar
awe-stricken voice, as they were pass
ing through thick woods, and point
ed to the side of the road.
"What is it ?" asked Simpkins, ex
citedly, as he looked in the direction
the stranger pointed. 81 don't see
nothin'." ("
"Don't you? Then look here II
show you something"
Simpkins turned quickly around te
find himself covered by a revolver
held by the stranger.
"W-what-what," he suffered
thoroughly startled.
"Oh, cut it out !" interrupted thu
fellow quickly. "I've no time tt
waste; fork over that money p
"What money!" gasped the ole
man.
"The money you drew from the
bank this morning." answered the
stranger, coolly.
Simpkins looked his astonishment
How did this man know he had drawn
money from the bank? He hadn'
told him.
"Come! Out with it 1 NEAR
business. can't stay hear all day 7
continued the man, making a threat
ening gesture with his pistol.
How Simpkins longed to get at tn,
old pistol lying in his back pocket
But what could he do? The strang
er had him dead to rights. He hateC
to give up his hard-earned money
But he could see no other way out o.
it. So with sigh he drew the roll
of bills from its hiding place ane
handed it over to his companion, who
took it quickly, stuffed it hurriedly
into his pocket, and then jumping ou
of the wagon, said:
"Thank you. After this dom
make custom of telling your business
on street corners. Now drive on, Mr.
Easy Mark. and don't come back"
Being called "easy mark" made
Mr.. Simpkins mad. 1t was bac
enough to lose the money, withou
being made fun of. The man haC
started back toward town, evidently
desiring to put as much distance be
tween himself and his victim as posi-
BILE. AS he disappeared around I
bend in the road, Simpkins, pulling