The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-24
CHAPTER VII. T CAN HELP YOU"

q CAN HELP YOU"
 4 HALF hour spent with Hexford
 A Tn and about the clubhouse A and Sweetwater was ready for
 the road. Musing and nut tering, he plodded up the road, his Insignificant figure an unpromising break in the monotonous white of the wintry landscape. Under ordinary cir cumstances Sweetwater would have or sledges between the clubhouse gates and the city streets. But today the road was full of teams carrying all sorts of incongruous people, eager for a sight of the spot made forever mo- torious by a mysterious crime. He noted them aIl-the faces of the men, the gestures of the women-but he did not show any special interest till he came to that portion of the road where the long line of half buried fences began to give way to few scattered houses. Then his spirit woke, and he became quick, alert and persuasive. He entered houses; he talked with the people. Though evidently not a dis sipated man, he stopped at several saloons, taking his time with bis glass and encouraging the chatter of all who chose to meet his advances. He was natural talker and welcomed every topic, but his eye sparkled at one only. This he never introduced him. self; he dsd not need to. Some one was always ready with the great theme, ard once it was started he did not let the conversation languish till every one present had given his or her quota of hearsay or opinion to the general fund.
 1t seemed a great waste of time, for nobody had anything to say worth the breath expended on it.
 He had left the country road behind and had entered upon the tumble of sheds, shops and streets which marked the beginnings of the town in this di- rection when his quick and expert enced eye fell on woman standing with uncovered head in an open door, way. peering up the street in anxious expectation of some one not yet in sight A second survey of the wo- mans face convinced him that his or dinary loquaciousness would not serve tim here. There was a refinement in her aspect quite out of keeping with inc locality in which she lived, and fe was hesitating how to proceed when fortune favored him by driving against his knees a small lad on an Ill directed sled, bringing him almost to the ground and upsetting the child, who began to scream vociferously.
 It was the woman's child, for she made instantly for the gate. which, for some reason, she found difficulty in opening. Sweetwater was at his best with children. and. catching the little fellow up. he soothed and fondled him and finally Wrought him with a merry air of triumph straight to his mothers arms.
 He had in his pocket an ingenious little invention which he had exhibited all along the road as an indispensable article in every well kept house. He wanted to show it to her, but it was too cold a day for her to stop outside. Wouldn't she allow him to step in and explain how her work could be ma. t~-ially lessened and her labor turned to play by contrivance so simple that child could run it?
 It was all so ridiculous in face of this woman's quiet intelligence that he laughed at his own words, and this laughter. echoed by the child and ill another instant by the mother, made everything so pleasant for the moment that she insensibly drew back while he pulled open the gate, only remark ing as she led the way in:
 'I was looking for my husband. He may come any minute, and I'm afraid he won't care much about contri0nces to save me work-that is, if they cost very much"
 Sweetwater, whose hand was in his pocket. drew it hastily out.
 You were watching for your hus band? Do you often stand in the open doorway looking for himY'
 Her surprised eyes met his with a stare that would have embarrassed the most venturesome book agent, but this man was of another ilk.
 If you do,' he went on fmperturb- ably, ''how much I would give if you had been standing there last Tuesday night when a certain cutter and horse E6< py on its way up the hill.'
 She was d self contained woman. this wife of a master mechanic in one of the great shops hard by, but her jaw fell at this, and she forgot to chide or resist her child when he be- gan to pull her toward the open kitch- en door.
 You were looking out" ventured Sweetwater. And you did see that horse and cutter. What luck! It may save a mans life"
 "Save!" she repeated, staggering back q few steps and dragging. the child