The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-09

gee replied. I'll interview the man
over there In the cage"
The gentleman referred to was not
cheerful in is replies. There was, he
said, Baldpato inn.
"Oh, yes. Raldpate inn," repeated
Billy Magee with interest.
Yes. that's pretty swell! place."
said the ticket agent. But it ain't
open now. It's q summer resort.
There ain't no place open now, but the
Commercial House. And | wouldn't
recommend no human being there-es-
pecially 10 lady who was sad before
she ever saw it,"
Mr.. Magee explained to the incon-
gruous family pair waiting on the
bench.
"There's only one hotel" he said,
"and Pm told it's not exactly the place
Tor any one whose outlook Oh life is
not rosy ut the moment. I'm sorry"
1T will do very WE'LL" answered the
girl. whatever it is." She smiled at
Billy Magee. My outlook on life in
Upper AsQuewan Falls" she said,
grows roster every minute. We must
find a cab"
She began to gather up her travelling
bags, ana MI. Magee hastened to as
sist. The three went out on the sta
ton platform, upon which lay a thin
carpet of snOwtiakes. There the older
woman, in harsh rasping voice,
found fault with Upper AsQuewan
Falls-its geography, it's public spirit,
Its brand of weather A detected cab
ut the end Of the platform stood
mourning its lonely lot. In it Mr.. Ma
see placed the large lady and the bags.
Then, while the driver climbed TO his
seat he spoke into the invisible ear of
the girl.
"YOu haven't told me why you
cried," he reminded her.
Upper Asquewan Falls she said,
isn't 1t reason enOughY"
Billy Magee looked; saw row of
gloomy buildings that seemed to list
as the wind blew. blurred sign,
Liquor and CigalS," street that stag
gered away into the dark like a
man who had fingered too long at the
emporium back of the sign.
care you doomed to stay here long?"
he asked.
Come on, Mary" cried a deep voice
from the cab. Get in and shut the
door. I'm freezing"
1T all depends" said the girl.
THANK You for being so kind and
good night"
The door closed with muffled bang.
the cab creaked wearily away and Mr..
Magee turned back to the dim waiting
room.
"Well, what was she crying fOr?"
inquired the ticket agent when Mr..
Magee stood again at his cell window.
"She didn't think much of your
town." responded Magee. "She init
mated that it made her heavy of
heart"
HIM! 1t amt much of place." ad-
mitted the man, though it aint the
general rule with visitors to burst into
tears at sight Of it. Yes, Upper AS
quewan Is slow, and no mistake. 1t
gets Oh my nerves sometimes. Moth
ing to do but work, work, work. and
then lay down and wait for tomorrow.
used to think maybe some day they'd
transfer me down to HOOperstown-
there's moving pictures and such 60
ings on down there. But the railroad
never notices you-unless you go
wrong. Yes, sir; sometimes l want to
clear out Of this town myself"
~ natural wanderlust," sympathiz-
ed Mr.. Magee. You said something
just now about Baldpate inn
Yes; it's Il little more lively in sum-
mer. when that's Open." answered the
agent. 1--WE get Il lot of complaints
about trunks not coming from pretty
swell people too. 1t sort Of cheers
things His eye rOamed with inter
est over Mr.. Magee's New York attire.
but Baldpate inn is shut up tight
now. This is nothing but all annex
to a graveyard in winter You wasn't
thinking Of stopping off here, was
You"
"Well, l want to see a man named
Elijah Quimby." Mr.. Magee replied
"DO YOU know him?"
"Of course" said the yearner for
pastures new. Hes caretaker Of the
inn. His house is about mile out on
the old Miller road that leads up Bald
pate. Come outside and I'll tell you
how to get there"
The two men went out into the whirl-
ing snow, and the agent waved hand
indefinitely up at the night.
IF it was clear" he said, you could
see Baldpate mountain over yonder
looking down on the falls, sort of keep
ing an eye on us to make sure we
don't get reckless. And halfway up
you'd see Baldpate inn, black and
peaceful and wlntery. Just follow
this street to the third corner and turn
to your left. Elijah lives in little
house back among the trees mile out
There's gate you'll sure hear creak-
ing on Il night like this
Billy Magce thanked him and gath