The Washington herald., 1921-08-28

emblem Oh peace, ten years cropped from I
any suckers on the note proposition, but
there have been one or two instances in
which he has got a small advance payment
from his intended victim. The authorities
are on the lookout.
As soon as he had secured this valuable
piece of information, Amos routed his en-
ployes from bed and gave them certain in
structions for the conduct Of the farm. The
next day one Of them got out the old wagon.
covered with yellow oilcloth, drove him into
town, and left him at the railroad station.
1t was quite ten days later that Amos
overlook his prey. What trials he had en-
dured, what WEAKNESS Of body and despair
in spirit he had borne, it boots little to
relate. Suffice it that he secured a circle
twenty five miles in diameter before he
came upon the trail, and that, throughout
every mental and physical torture he had
been sustained by that hard sense Of justice
and inhexibility Of purpose which is the
heritaxe Of all his race. In the deepening
evening he was making his slow way along
=, deserted stretch Of road when he saw
the unforrettablc wagon, with its memorable
driver Jogging jauntily toward him.
They would have gone by him, but Amos
quietly stepped forward and barred the way.
His firm hand gripped the bride, and forced
the horses head violently backward, until
the red nostrils were high above him.
The wagon came to a sudden stop, and
the driver rose in his seat and leaned for
ward, his thick face half angry, half
startled He had been in a merry mood.
for q reason which had opened inauspiciously
had that afternoon turned for the better
he had just sold two notes Of hand for 5000.
The money, however, was at that moment
reposing snugly in an inside pocket Of his
gay coat, and the sudden appearance Of an
unknown man with so strange a form of
address contained, therefore, an element of
alarm.
Here, you.'' the agent shouted. What
do you mean, anyhow
As he spoke, whip and reins dropped from
his hands and Amos saw the CLINT of steel
in one Of them.
81 was kind of singin' I'm fer getting
sewin' machine Already he answered
mildly, and then. in a voice almost disap-
pointed, he added humbly: "Or are they
ALP
1t was a speech. in spite Of the PREDATORY
action. calculated to inspire trust. Mr..
Conners-for that was certainly one of his
names-noisily dropped his revolver. in sheer
astonishment, upon the floor of the wagon.
''You want to git a sewin' -machine?"
he echoed. well. it's queer way to go
about it, holdin' fellow up like a regular
hand out man.
''Are they alp" repeated Amos. care.
fully retaining his point of vantage at the
horses head.
"What?" asked Conners.
THE sewin' -machines?'
''What about 'em, Jake?''
81 said, are they all?"
"All? All what?"
"All any more
"O-o-ch !"-Conners threw back his head
and laughed d,-'you mean are they all
sone!''
Amos began to make his way along tn.
horses flank, one hand upon the shaft. He
was smiling stupidly.
Sure" he responded. "Are they all ?"
We'll, no; they amt ALL I guess. Any
how, there's plenty more where this un
come from, that's sure"
Amos had slowly advanced to the dash
board. Now he stepped around the wheel,
between the spokes of which be planted one
heavily booted foot, and leaned suddenly
forward. reaching a pair Of apparently ges-
ticulating hands before him.
Il sought mebbe they was ALL" he ex-
planned. because that one you sold me for
five hunnerd last fall amt got yet"
TT WAS only then that Conners recog-
l. nized him. With q wild below bs
stopped for the fallen revolver,
But Amos had been too quick for the
agent. One dexterous twirl of the gesticu.
latins hands had pushed the weapon out Of
harms way; another, and his arms vera
about Connerss feet. Three seconds later
and the shepherds plaid gentleman-for he
was dressed precisely as on the occasion of
their last meeting-was lying fat on his back
in the dust of the road.
He was up in a bound, arms raised and
fists clenched.
But the mildeyed farmer raised IN omen
hand, and the swinder, in sheer ama..neut.
came to q pause.
Just e-easy fer a minute" sal! Amos.
"Ich will dir's explehne. Mebbe We can
talk about it first
Conners turned an eager eye toward th.
wagon, in the shafts Of which the weary
horse stood at ease. But Amos quietly
slouched forward and barred the way.
well, what d. y; wantr' suarled the
agent. You signed the note all right,
,Tain't my fault If you can't read right. The
law can't touch me-
ma" admitted Amos, the law can,
touch you still. guess It's had toucbir'