Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-03-23
A Relief Expedition That Failed.

III luS HlOlOl Ndl udu HOt HSSoSA HaASii
the party might have passed the old man
without seeing him, for he sat in a nook
by the roadside near the brook, where
few blackberry vines and chokecheuY
bushes afforded shade. II was sizzling
hot and his blad head looked warm. The
girl in the car spoke first.
"Why in the world" she demanded.
doesn't he put on his hat ?"
"He doesn't seem 10 have any hal"
submitted the young man who was driv-
ing
Nonsense l' said the girl impatiently.
ale must have hat" Then as her ques-
tioning glance roved beyond the old man
shetouched her companions arm. "Seel" !"
she said. "Isn't that his hat over in the
pasture near those cows2"
The young man looked. Beyond queS-
ton, a broad brimmed straw hat lay a
few rods beyond the fence. The young
man raised his voice and called:
Hello, friend That your hat over in
the pasture ?" The old gentleman mop
ped his head thoroughly before he look
ed up at the car.
81 guess likely" he responded briefly.
How'd il happen n be over there ?"
the young man wanted to know.
al dropped ii there" The old man re-
piled shortly, as if that ended the matter.
Dropped i'll Well. why didn't you
pick il up again2 Don't you realize that
you're likely TO be sunstruck2"
The old man raised his eyes YEARLY
again. al didn't notice I'd dropped il
till got over the fence, and didn't feel
like getting back after it right then" he
replied.
He brushed impatiently at a fly, an1
the gesture seemed 10 include the car and
its occupants
"For Simon-pure, unadulterated lazi-
ness it's hard TO beat these corn husk-
ers." remarked the young man to his
companion. THAT old shad would rather
sit there and cook by inches than climb
over that fence and get his hat"
"Hush |" whispered the girl uneasily.
"He'Il hear you"
"No, he WON'T" declared the young
man promptly; "he's more than half
asleep. anyway. But" as he opened the
car door and stepped out. "Im going 10
get that hat and stick il on his head for
him II may be encouraging shiftless-
ness and laziness, but he'll fry if don't
do it,"
He mounted the bank and approached
the fence quickly. The old man stirred
at that and regarded the young mans
movements with lively interest. When
the latter leaped the fence, The sleepy old
man became alert and eager. The young
man had almost reached the hat when
things began 10 happen. He heard a
hurricane OF panicky shrieks from The girl,
mingled with cries Of Look oui-quick !"
and then there came menacing below
startirgly near at hand.
A very large animal had detached itself
from the herd and was coming toward
him al numbering gallop. lis head was
lowered and ITS tail stuck out straight be-
hind. The young man was not stock
breeder, but he knew at glance what is
was.
With yelp OF terror and jump tha
left his cap in the air, he started for the |
fence. There was frantic scramble as
he mounted the fence and fell in white |
faced, shaken heap on the safe side, while |
the bull crashed into the barrier with an
energy and a singleness Of purpose that
made the young man catch his breath in
reliet.
Now that the excitement was over, the
old gentleman relapsed into his former
attitude. The young man, after cautious
glance at him, sided rapidly toward the
car. As he placed his foot on the step
the old man raised his head.
'1 got over that fence fulI's handy as
you did," he observed in tone Of com-
Portable superiority. "lszy as you think ]
be-and don't believe was more n half
as much scared p'
Then, as the red-faced young man
yanked yiciousIy at the lever, The old man
sped parting arrow:
"S'posin' ] get both OF 'em, where do
you want yourn sent 2"
But the motorist never turned his head.