The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-04-17
Nellie S
Adventure
Copyright. lals BY Western Newspaper Union. !,
By RALPH HAMILTON


out of service, and Nellie Bross, who
lived a mile from town, had to walk,
or await repairs which might mean an
arrival at the bank where she was
employed an hour or more late. She
had not gone three hundred yards,
however, when a hearty voice hailed
her, and the driver Of a load Of hay,
old Ezra Ward, a neighbor, sang out
cheerlly:
"All aboard. little miss, II you aren't
afraid Of climb up the boom rope"
and Nellie astonished him with a
bright laugh and landed among the
fresh, sweet-smelling hay behind him
in jiffy.
"And this here special will deliver
YOU at terminus In time" chirruped
the accommodating old fellow. Gid
dapw and Nellie was as comfortably
settled as though riding on pillow
of down.
The novelty Of the ride mingled with
pleasing thoughts. for within two
months Nellie was to be married to
Bryce Winslow.
Perhaps Mr.. Lupton will open his
heart and give me a bonus when 1
Leave" unused Nellie.
Mr.. Lupton was the owner of the
Belleville bank, small country insti-
tuition, and not inclined to either senti'
ment or llberality. Nellie was stenog-
rapher, bookkeeper and cashier. She
did her work well, but her employer
was close-fisted and exactlng.
"Oh, dear |" uttered Nellie, as there
was a jolt. 1t shifted the box con-
tanning her MONDAY lunch and her
handbag from her lap. The latter
sank quite out of sight amid the yield
ing hay. Nellie CROPPED for it. Then
she barely suppressed a cry of alarm,
for up from under the hay human
hand was projected, extending the
handbag. A new lurch brought to
view mans face. Nellie ehrank back.
Just enough of the jacket worn by the
stowaway was revealed to show that
1t was of the striped pattern worn by
the convicts in the penltentiary, ten
miles from Bellevllle.
Nellie sat staring aghast at this I'M
expected manifestation and shlvered
The eyes of the fugitive wore hunt
ed. pleading look. She comprehended
that escaping, he had found tempo
rary hiding place in the load of hay.
Don't tell !" he whispered. There's
wife and little one awaiting me, II
| can ever reach them"
take this" said Nellie, impulsive-
ly, and pushed her lunch-box toward
him. "And this" and she opened the
handbag and took thence silver half
dollar.
'Bless your breathed the man
gratefully. "You have given me lib
erty and hope" and drew again out Of
sight beneath the hay.
Nellie allghted at the bank quite as
dexterously as she had gained the sum-
init. I'm gladw she whispered to
herself. as she went up the bank steps.
"IIe didn't look wicked. He has wife
and children waiting for him. Oh, l
hope he gets away free" and an hour
later she learned that four convicts
had escaped from the penitentiary the
night previous.
She told her lover only of her I'm
petuous act that evening, and he COM
mended her for her kind heartedness.
The next day Mr.. Lupton went to visit
a branch bank In another town.
Miss Bross," he said, "you will
have to take charge here until I re-
turn. My father will drop in of and
on during the day and help around
what little he can.
1t was no new thing for Nellie to at
tend manifold details without assist
ance. Old Mr. Lupton came in about
two o'clock In the afternoon and help
ed her with some of the heavy bank
ledgers and vault boxes. There were
not many visitors and the bank was
deserted except for themselves, when
abruptly two men quietly entered the
hank. One directed revolver at the
shrinking old man and addressed Mel
lie.
mo one will get hurt II you are
quiet" he told her. and his compan
ion gllded behind the counter and be
gan TO fiji q satchel he carried with
the bank treasure.
Suddenly swift form passed the
open doorway. 1t was that OF mar
wearing heavy goggles and broad
brmmed hat that well shaded his
face.
drop our gun ~ rang from his lips
to the man on guard. Leave tina
bag and get out of here as fast as yol
can" he ordered the thief behind th'
counter, COR"
His leveled weapon emphasized TIL
mandate. The two men skunk out o
the bank and disappeared down thu
street. The latest caller approached
Nellie.
"They aIked me to join Them" HI
spoke to her. II wouldn't anyway, 70
I'm through with crime. Then whel
knew It was your bank they wer'
after, remembered. and"
He lifted his goggles, aLd Nellie rec
ognized the man of the hay wagon.
Bread on the waters" he said sim
ply" and was gone.
: SO thrilling story did old MIR, Lup
ton tell, and so surely had Nelli
through another saved the bank treas
ure, that her employer actually I'm
locked his heart aud gave her a hun
dred-dollar bank note.
Ia. tfnGIUnnn InIfn