The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-02-03
CHAPTER I'll.

CHAPTER I'll.
@HERE are two antiques" I'm
h Bayport which have not vet
been sold or even bid for. One
IL Gabe Lumley's depot wag-
on" and the other is "Danl Web
ster" the horse which draws 1t. Both
are very ancient, sadly i'm need OF up
holstery and jerky Of locomotion-
Gabe was, as usual. waiting at the
station when the down train arrived
on the Tuesday or Wednesday Of the
selectmen's meeting. The train was
due, according to the time table, at
Has. A. cloud Of white smoke bill
lowed above the clump OF cedars at
the bend OF the track. Then the loco
motive rounded the curve and bore
down upon the station
The conductor stepped from the pas
senger coach. Following him came
briskly a short, thickset man with a
reddish gray beard and grayish red
hair.
Coin down to the village, mister?'
inquired Mr.. Lumley. Carriage right
here"
The stranger inspected the driver of
the depot wagon, inspected him DELHI
erately from top to toe. Then he said:
Down to the village? Why, yes, I
wouldn't wonder. Say, you're q Lum-
Ley, amt your
"Why, why-yes, I be! How'd you
know that? Amt ever seen you afore,
have I?'
Guess not" with quiet chuckle.
give never seen you either, but I've
seen your nose. I'D know IN Lumley
nose If run across it In China"
The possessor OF the "Lumley nose
rubbed that organ i'm a bewildered
fashion. Recovering in measure, he
laughed rather half heartedly and
begged to know lie the trunk, then be
Ing unloaded from the baggage car, be-
longed to his prospective passenger
AS the answer was an affirmative nod,
ne secured the trunk check and de-
parted. still rubbing his nose.
When he returned with the trunk ON
che truck the stranger sprang into the
depot wagon with a bounce that made
the old vehicle rock on its springs.
'Jernshy" he exclaimed she rolls
some, don't she? Never mind; my bal
last II keep her on an even keel.
Trunk made fast astern? All right.
Say. you might furl some or this spare
canvas SOS i can take an observation
as we 60 along. Don't so SO fast that
the scenery gets blurred, win you?
It's been some time since made this
cruise. and I'd rather like to keep q
lookout
The driver "furled the canvas"-that
is, he rolled up the curtains at the
sides OF the carryall. Then be climbed
to the front seat and took up the reins
"Git upP' he shouted savageIy.
Dan'l pricked up one ear, then a hoof,
and slowly got under way. As the
equipage passed the Baker homestead
the whole family was clustered about
the gate. staring Mt the occupant Of
the wagon. The stare was returned
Who lives in there?" demanded the
stranger. who are those folks?"
'Ceph Bakers tribe" was the sullen
answer.
Baker, hey? Humphl New folks,
presume likely. Used to be Seth
Shows house. that did Where'd Seth
20 tor
Gabe grunted that he did not know
He believed MIR. Snow was dead. had
died years before
''Humph! Dead, hey? Then | know
where he went"
Finally the newcomer leaned from
the carriage and gazed steadily up the
slope ahead. And his gaze, strange
to say, was not directed at the i'm
posing Atkins estate, but at its op-
posite neighbor. the old Cy Whitaker
place.
Slowly, laboriously, DanI Webster
mounted the hill. At the crest he
would have paused to take breath
but the driver would not let him
Cit along. your he commanded.
Tapping the reins.
And then Mr.. Lumley suffered the
shock of surprise. The hitherto
"ool and self possessed occupant Of
the rear seat seemed very much ex-
cited His big red hand clasped Mr.
Lumley's over the reins. ard DanT
was brought to an abrupt standstill.
"Heave tor" he ordered sharply. and
inc tone was that Of one who has Civ