The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-12-21


over the door after breakfast. and
wandering for hours in the yellow,
wine like air of the mesa, be came in
at noon and nightfall always empty
handed, yet no one derided his fail
ure. There was something about the
man that smothered derision.
"a sort o. laundering patience that
knocks fellow" Bert Fox put in.
Mrs. Brandt had always an encour
ing word for the hunter.
"Grease woods bad for huntin.
Joel says it don't pay to look for quail
in the brush when he does fetch 'em
down.
Like enough. / dunno, ma'a:n.
Reckon I've had good many shots al
the little wild critters. but they allus
turn their heads so kind o innocent
like. A man as has been blowed up
oncet hisself amt much at separatin'
families. But 1 s'pose it amt the
shootin' tLat's healthy, mebbe."
And so the hunting came to an end
without bloodshed. Whether tie doe
tors were right or whether it was the
mingled resin and honey of the sage
and chaparral no one cared to ask.
Certain it is that the "pesterin' ,"
cough yielded a little, and the bent
form grew a trifle more erect
81 think likely it's the Iookin' up,
ma'am. Mountains seem to straighten
a fellow some way. Pears to me some
body writ oncet nv liftin' his eyes to
the hills for help. Mebbe not, though.
I amt much at recollectin' verses.
Loisy's powerful hand that wav."
Perhaps the man was right. II was
the looking up.
He followed Joel from the table one
morning, stopping outside, his face
full of patient eagerness.
"fm gettin' right smart G. strength,
neighbor. Eff there's odd jobs you
could gi' me; I'd be slow, mebbe, but
seems like most anything 'ud be better
n settin' round"
Joel scratched his head refiectively.
The big, brawny-handed fellow felt no
disposition to smile at his weak brother.
Fox aud / was sayin' yesterday
we'd like to put another man on the
ditch; it'll be easy work for week,
till we strike rock again. Then there's
the grease wood. It's always on hand.
You might take it slow grubbin' when
you was able. l guess we'll find you
jobs enough, rnan."
The SCARED, colorless face bright
ened.
THANK ye, ueighbor. Eff you'll be
as kind there's another little matter.
I'll hev a trifie over when I've paid
your woman fur her trouble. l wuz
thinkin' like enough you'd let me run
up shanty on yer place here. Loisy
wouldn't mind aboAt sryle-Iust roof
to bring 'em to. It's for her and the
boy, you know" watching Joei's face
eagerly.
"Yes, yes, Brice, we'll make it all
right. Just take things kind O. easy.
I'll be goin' in with wood next week,
and I'll fetch you out load O. lum
Der. Well make a day of it after
while, and put up your house in a
jiffy."
And so Brice went to work on the
ditch gently at first, spared FROM the
heaviest work by strong arms and
rough kindliness. And so, ere long,
another rude dwelling went up on the
mesa, the smoke from its fireside curl
idg slowly toward the pine pluIned
mountain-tods.
The building fund, scanty enough at
best, was Unexpectedly swelled by a
sudden and obstinate attack of forget
fulness which seized good Mrs. Brandt
mo. Brice, you havn't made me a
spark O. trouble, n ot a spark. I'm sure
you've paid your way twice over
briDgin' in wood, aud grindin' c. flee,
and the like. Many a man d a.kej
wages for the half you've done, so In
getrin' off easy to call it square" And
the good lady stood her ground un
lfiinchingly.
You've been powerful good to me
ma'am. We1l be watchin' ur chance
to make it up to you-Loisy an me
I'll be sendin' fur Loisy direckly now.
"Yes, yes. man, and there'll be the
bits O. furniture and things to get
Spread your money thin, and Mrs
Fox and me III come in and put you tt
rights when you're lookin' for her."
He brought the money to Joel a
last, a motley collection of gold ant
silver pieces.
"Ef yell be so kind as to send it t.
er, neighbor-Mrs. Loisy Brics, Platts
vile, Indianny-Tve writ the lettel
tellin' her how to come. There'l
enough for the ticket and a trihe II
spare. The boys a master hand a
scuffin' ont shoes an things. You'll
not make any mistake sending it, vii
you7"
''No, NO, Brice, it III go straight a
a rocket. Let me see, now. The let
ter III be a week, then lowing them I
week to get started
'Loisy won't be week startin'
neighbor."
"Never you mind, man. 'LowinI
'em a week tog get of, that's two weeks
then them emigrant trains is slow, sa,
thirteen days on the road that's abou
another fortnight-four weeks; this |
the filth, amt itl Twenty-eight ant
hve's thirty three; that'll be about tn
third o. neIt month, say. Now min'
what tell you, Brice-don't look TO
'em a minute before the third-not
minute"
"'Pears like a long spell to wait
neighbor."
Il know it, man; but it'll seem
thunderin' sight longer after you begil
to look for EN-"
Il reckon you're right. Say fou
weeks from to-day, then. Like enougl
you'll be goin' in"
"Yes. we'll hitch up and meet 'sn
, at the train-you and me. The wo
man III have things kind q, spue apeil