The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-07-18
JOE GORTON's PASSENGER.

The day was drawing to its close, chill
and raw. Lake Village was almost al.
ways gusty, but just now the wind was
having its own way more than usual, and
any passer through the long, bleak street
happening TO glance in at the window Of
the little water-side tavern, might well
have been tempted by the bright fire and
good company inside the bar.
They were the usual afternoon loafers,
with the exception of one small, why
looking man, a stranger, who had stopped
to take a glass of something hot, and
who at the moment, was evidently the
center of the general interest.
sBut what is it you know. anyhow,
strangerg' asked one of the group.
"Come, now, among friends"
.Ncver you mind,' answered the man
addressed, II know enough to shut up
make him swing, anil know how to tell
it when the right time comes, don't you
be afraid for that. The days getting on. y
he added. abruptly, rising and turning
toward the window, land your duck
pond there don't look over-sgreeable just
now. "Who's a good boatman herea-
bouts for. film split, can't SWIM"
"Joe Gor.on'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.
stranger. If you're afraid o. the weather
and them clouds over there do look kinder
pesky,- said the landlord Of the Lakeside
House, turning a practiced eye on the
gray mingling outlines of lake and sky.
"Well, fact is" said the other, "I'm
acquainted over in Milham. and. If it's
all the same 10 you with wink
"rd rather be there than here; so, II
you'll hunt up this Joe What's-his-name,
I'll be 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: Marcy. run
down 10 the water and tell Joe there's q
passenger here"
In another minute the house door closed.
and tall. slight girls figure, with shawl
over its 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 feverish bright
ness in the dilated eyes, were not all the
winds work. She came close to the
young boatman, who raised himself up,
facing her.
"Joe," she said. "there's a passenger
waiting up TO the house," she laid her
hand on his arm, and glanced cautiously
round before adding, ina whisper: " Joe,
If once that man reaches the other side,
It's all up with father"
"what's that, Margyr' said the boat
man, looking wonderingly at her.
81 tell you heard II; he'll bring IL home
20 him, he says so, he's come a-purpose.
It's fathers chance clean gone If you take
him across"
".Do you mean should refuse TO take
him, Margy?" said Joe, slowly.
"what good would that dow said the
girl, impatiently. Kelley OF some OF
'cm would take him fast enough; what's
fathers life against fare? No, it's you
must take him, Joe, and then, If anything
happens" sinking her voice TO a meaning
whisper, nobody but you and mes the
wiser.n
Joe started back.
Marcy, what's that you're think.
ingy'
!" / can't help iti- cried the girl passion.
ately, twisting her fingers in the shawl