Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-06-26
Nellie S
Adventure
BY RALPH HAMILTON

Copyright, 1919. By western Newspaper oniohJ
The electric line was temporarily
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 n load of hay,
old Ezra Ward, a neighbor, sang out
cheerily:
can aboard little miss, II you aren't
afraid Of a climb up the boom rope"
and Nellie ast0nshed him with
bright laugh and landed among the
fresh, understanding hay behind him
in a jif'y.
"And this here special will deliver
you at terminus in time" chirruped
the accommodating old fellow. Gid
dap" and Nellie was as comfortably
settled as though riding ON a pillow
of down.
The novelty of the ride mingled with
pleasing thoughts, for within two
U1OUlIS Ntllt Nao W bt AHtAiA'N0 y"
Bryce Winslow.
perhaps Mr.. Lupton will open his
heart and give me a bonus when /
leave" unused Nellie.
Mr.. Iupton was the owner of the
Bellevlle bank, small country inst-
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-fsted and exacting.
ooh, 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 q cry of alarm,
for ND from under the hay human
hand was projected, extending the
handbag. A new lurch brought TO
view mans face. Nellie shrank 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 penitentiary, ten
miles from Bclleville.
Nellie sat staring aghast at this UNI
expected manifestation and shivered.
The eyes of the fugitive wore hunt
ed, pleading look. She comprehended
that. escaping, he had found a tempo
rary hiding place in the load of hay.
Don't tell !" he whispered. There's
wife and little one awaiting me, IL
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 a silver half
dollar.
"Bless YOU" brenthed the man
gratefully. you have given me lib
erty and hope" and drew again out OF
sight beneath the hay.
Nellie alighted at the bank quite as
dexterously as she had gained the sum
nit. I'm gad" she whispered to
herself as she went up the bank steps,
"He didn't look wicked He has wife
and children waiting for him. Oh,
hope he gets away freel" and an hour
later she learned that four conyicts
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 | re-
turn. My father win 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 waa
deserted except for themselves, wheH
abruptly two men quietly entered ths
bank One directed a revolver at the
shrinking old man and addressed Mel.
lie.
mo one will get hurt IL you are
quiet" he told her, and his compan'
ion glided behind the counter and be
gan TO fill a satchel he carried With
the bank treasure.
Suddenly a swift form passed the
open doorway. It was that OF man
wearing heavy goggles and broad
brimmed hat that wen shaded his
face.
drop your gum" rang from his lips
TO the man on guard. Leave that
bag and get out OF here as fast as you
can" he ordered the thief behind the
counter "or--"
His leveled weapon emphasized the
mandate The two men skunk out Of
the bank and disappeared down the
street. The latest caller approached
Nellie
They asked me 10 join them" he
spoke to her. Il wouldn't anyway, fos
I'm through With crime. Then when
| knew it was your bank they were
after l remembered, and
He lifted his goggles, and Nellie rec
ognized the man Of the hay wagon