New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-10
JOE GORTON'S PASSENGER.
BY KATE PUTNAM OsGOOD.
From Appleton's journal.

By KATE PUTNAM OSGOOD.
From Appleton q Journal
The day was drawing toward its close
chill and raw. Lake Village was almos
always gusty, but now the wind was hav
ing its own way more than usual, and an,
paeser through the long, bleak street, hap
tavern, might have been tempted by th'
bright fire and good company inside th'
bar.
They were the usual afternoon loafers
with the exception of one small wiry face(
man, stranger, who had stopped to take
glass Of something hot, and who, at ths
moment, was evidently the center Of thu
general interest.
"But what is it you know, anyhow
stranger 2" asked one Of the group. Come
now, among friends"
'Never you mind" answered the mar
addressed. II know enough to shut uI
John Sawyer pretty spell, If not to make
him swing, and know how to tell it when
the right time comes, don't you be afraid OF
that. The days getting on he added
abruptly, rising and turning toward the
window, "and your duck pond there don,
look over agreeable just now. Who's a
good boatman hereabOuts! for if I'm split
l can't SWIM"
Joe Gorton's your man" was the an
swer; "he couldn't tip over if he tried
couldn't joe"
"Why don't you wait till tomorrow
strange1, if you're afeard O the weather
and them clouds over there do look kinder
pesky,' said the landlord of the Lakeside
House, turning practiced eye on the gray
mingling outline OF lake and sky.
"Well, fact is," said the other, "I'm ac-
quainted over in Milham. and if it's all the
IN unv,-rrifh vr;vl--..I,J bav T.,
there than here; SO if you'll hunt up this
Joe what's-his-name, I'll be much obliged
The landlord, resenting the wink and the
implied insinuation, opened the door and
called out, rather sulkily, to some one in
the next room, "Margy. run down to the
water and tell Joe there's a passenger here. ~
In another minute the house door closed,
and tall, slight girls fgare, with a shawl
over her head. might have been seen hur-
rying down to the water side.
Joe Gorton, busy about his boat, heard
his name called, and, looking up. saw the
girl Marcy. The sharp wind had blown
out stray locks of her crisp. black hair
from under the red shawl. but the hectic in
the cheeks and the teverish brightness in
the dilated eyes were not all the winds
work. She came close to the boatman, who
raised himself up, facing her.
Joe" said she, there's a passenger
up " tHC HouSc. sue ldVA ucE
hand on his arm and glanced cautiously
round before adding in whisper: Joe, if
once that man reaches the other side it all
up with father"
What's that, Mary :" said the boatman,
looking wonderingly at her.
!" ten you heard it; he'll bring it home
to him, he says SO, he's come purpose.
It's fathers chance clean gone if you take
him across"
nn
him Marcy p said Joe slowly.
What good would that &c E. said the
girl impatiently. Kelly or some of em
would take him fast enough: what's fathers
life against fare? No: it's you must take
him. Joe, and then if any thing happens"
sinking her voice to meaning whisper.
Z" nobody but you and mes the wiser
Joe started back.
Marcy, what's that you're tLinking,'
" cant help it y clied the girl passion.
ately. twisting her fingers in the shawl
fringe so that it snapped: "he's my father,
and never was better but for drink-you
know yourself everybody says so, and. if
YOU could hear that man up there laughing
and boasting he'll hang him. Joe. you'd
find it hard to keep your hands off him;
but don't ask you to so much as touch
finger to him, only, if the boat turns over,
he can't swim. / heard him say so and
for the best bOatman that ever was might
have an accident on a s4ually evening like
this"
"There. there. Marcy. be still. poor girl,
you don't know what you're saying inter-
posed Joe.
"Yes do" she said passionateiy: ''never
you think that, Joe Gorton. ! tell you If
laws with YOU to save father or to kill him:
YES, and me. too. for if they hang him III
never live over the day, and that l swear:
30 you choose between MS. Hark - she
turned to listen. II can't stay" She
pressed her hand hard on his shoulder. look
ing piteOusly in his face. Joe. if you ever
cared for me save that poor old man." And
before he could answer she was gone. leav-
ing him looking after her like one in a
lream.
The clouds were getting lower and !
heavier as the boatman set ont with his |
Looks as if we should have spell of |
weather." said the latter, glancing from the |
eaden sky to the leaden water. Hope |
rou re what they cracked you up to be. for !
f got ducking here shouldn't tind my
elf again in hurry"
"Well, I'm as good as they'll average, l
eckon. mister-I didn't hear your name,.
aid Joe, looking up inGuirlngly;
''Peter GrOOm Is My uaI o. "AA -
shamed of; it'll be pretty well known in
his part this day week, I'm thinking. ana
be man smiled a smile not pleasant to see.
.How's that!' said Joe. anxious 70 De-
-ay no previous knowledge.
1--WE come to give evidence in trlai
1at's coming off in your county town,
uswered Groom. motioning toward the
Iilham shore "Ive Travelled nigh No
lies on purpose to do it, and Id travel 500
ore if 'twere needed"
.Is it the Sawyer trial You mean asked
,e. carelessly. People have been saying
ere amt evidence enough to make case,
1T s'pose then there's something new
rned upa" ,;.,.
II should rather think 80: something thas
III make a case'll hold John Sawyer as
yht as his coffin" NJ
Joe clinched his hand on bis oar. he