Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-02

pay me for such conduct. saw the shirt
of resolve creep into his face, and he said :
" / was saying only the other day that
this town was able to support another
blacksmith shopl Old Jones is good
hearted, but he knows no more about shoe
ing horse than a coon does about sailing
a canal-boat."
His eyes glistened, and he took no pains
to keep down the chuckle of satisfaction
bubbling up into his throat. Heregarded
1t as line shot-a crusheI-and if he
hadn't been shaving my chin at that time
he would have been unable to suppress a
laugh.
His razor crossed the chin, scraped up
and down, and skipped around to the jul
gular vein before the BARRIERS smile faded.
He had been watching me to catch a start
of surprise or a look of displeasure, or
something to guide his opinion and as
he had been unsuccessful he renewed the
lather on the left cheek and sighed dreari-
ly. hoped he was man Of determine
ton, and trusted that he would not give
up. Fearing that he would, I was about
to speak, when he smiled blandly and re-
marked:
Il can tell school teacher the minute I
set eyes on himr'
Gather and silence)
"And it's funny, too" he continued,
+" that l have shaved every professor in the
Normal School here the very first morn
ing of his arrival, and have told each and
every one that he was professor before
he had said word to me-"
(Silence and shave.)
"Well, / suppose teaching is a good
paying business" he went on, as he
looked my face over to see if he had
skipped spot, land I'm willing to help
you all can. I haven't any children
am not married-but if ever I get mar
ried and have children I'll send them to
school to you"
His persistency and flattery deserved
some encouragement, but I was deter
mined to hold out to the last ditch. He
shut up his razor with a quick, vexed
motion, tossed it on the stand regardless
of damages, and he smiled maliciously as
he got down his bottle of unauthorized
bay rum. | knew it would bite like a
serpent and sting like an adder, but could
| show less stoicism than he had shown
diplomacy and persistency? Didn't I
commence the struggle?
I shut my teeth, looked straight into the
glass, and he sopped the fiery stuff over
my cheeks and chin. He expected a
squirm and yell, and his surprise was
great. The light of revenge had crept in
to his eyes, but it quickly faded away, and
as he replaced the bottle and wiped my
face with the towel he said:
" [ never saw but one other man who
could stand bay rum like that, and he was
a returned Californian. The climate of
that country hardens the flesh, I sup
pose?"
Irefused to reply. He got angry again,
dug my scalp as he combed my hair, gave
my head several unnecessary twists and
knocks and pushes, and he jerked the big
calico apron off my lap as if he hated me.
However, curiosity suddenly overcame his
vexation of spirit, and as he brushed me
off he said:
"This town ought to support another
undertaken, and if can be Of any assist
ance in finding you shop you can call
upon me day or night"
I wouldn't speak, and I heard him
gritting his teeth. He also struck me
several hard blows with the brush, and
once tried to hit me fair on the nose.
thought l had discouraged him, but just
as put on my hat and opened the doorhe
made last desperate charge. Smiling
sweetly, he inquired:
"Less see! d-Reverend-what
did you say it was Rev. Mr.. Brown!"
| didn't say.-"M. Quad," IN ". 7
Graphic.