Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-11-07
Ike Brennan S Watch.

Ike Brennan S Watch.
''Ef you think your cousin is scoun-
drel, young man, why say the word, if
its necessary to say anything. It's
mean to shake and sigh, and shake a
mans good name away with a shake of
your head-that's what | think And
Ike Brennan pushed back his Panama,
and looked with anything but approval
upon Lyman Sneed, leaning, i'm spotless
white duck, against the China tree.
In spite of his dapper appearance he
was not a pleasant young man to look
at. He had that uncertain, nervous
way so irritating to the honest and pur-
pOseful, and it stood written on his face
that he had not loved a living soul. No,
not even the pretty Mona Duval, whom
he quit Ike to go and meet. He thought
he loved her, but no feeling that pos
sessed him was more thoroughly sell
fish one.
His cousin, Dick Burleson. loved
NOna-that was quite sufficient TO make
Lyman Sneed sure that she was neces-
Sary to his happiness, so he went
eagerly now TO meet her. Ike watched
him up the street, muttering:
"'Of two evils choose the least, but
I've alters noticed that women, of two
men, choose the worst; wonder if little
Nona'll do that same thing? Her father
rode through many a fight by my side
calculate Ill take sides here-yes,
sir"
He rose slowly, lifted his rifle, and
went trailing up the hot avenue. He
was on the lookout for Dick, and very
soon found himself among a lot of
rough teamsters who were loafing in
one of the principal stores. Dick was
reading to them New York paper, and
backing UP his own side of some politi-
cal question with considerable feryOr.
The men were pulling their boards and
listening with that true Texan phlegm
which might at any moment into un-
governable passion.
Ike waited until the end of one of
Dicks flowing periods, and then said:
s.Thar, Dick, that'll do fer the busi-
ness of the United States; supposing
now you come with me and look after
your own a spell"
1t was so unusual for Ike Brennan to
NEEDLE in any ones affairs that Dick
gave instant heed to his invitation, and
with a final broadside ofsplendid adjec-
tives for his own party, he Joined Ike,
and they sat down together iR the first
quiet, shady seat.
LYMAN Sneed is playing the mis-
chief with your good name, Dick It's
against NV habit to look after anybOdy's
but my own, but I've reasons contrary
this time"
Lyman Sneed, He is, is he?" And
Dick instinctively put his hand on the
leather sheath that held his knife.
..No tools, Dick, of that kind. It's
me that's making this quarrel, you
know, and | let nobody do my fight
ing
'What did he say?"
THAT is it; he says nothing you can
II
Mona Duval-and is sorry you will"
"What:''
.sHe don't say-shakes his head and
shrugs his shoulders, and the shaking
and Struggling stand for drinking,
gambling, or anything you like to
make it,"
'SI'll tell Lyman Sneed-
'eYou'll say neither good nor bad,
Dick. Lyman is like pine coal-if he
don't burn he blackens. Only don't
throw your chances away for Lyman to
pick up-that is just what he wants you
to do-give in a bid to the old man; he
thinks all creation of you, and If you
won't try to please him, why Lyman
will. that's all"
sim not going to take my politics
and my opinions from uncle Jack Bur-
leson-no, not for all his hog-wallow
prairie, and his cattle and gold and
gold thrown in"
.sHe is an old man, Dick. Life is
country Jack Burleson has got pretty
thoroughly over-stands to reason he
knows more 'an you"
.sHe contradicts me half the time for
the very sake of a fight. He does not
90 to court now, and ne has no lawyers
or iuries to bully. But he won't make
Dick Burleson say black is white to
please him-you bet he won't"
.'Dick, you are right, darned ef you
vou arn't, But old Jack is wise and
good, and knows sight more'n is writ
in books. Say yes when you can"
'1Sure."
"And don't NEEDLE in my fights,
Dick. If LYMAN Sneeds needs hiding
l know just how much will be good for
him."
Dick saw that the conversation was
over. and, looking at his watch, saw
also that he was behind Office hours.
As it happened. number of trifles had
irritated the old lawyer, and Lyman's
lifted eyebrows and ostentatious dill
gence irritated Dick. He flung his
books on a desk, dashed his hat in
corner. and lifted his feet to a COM
Portable attitude. His big boots and
loose flannel hunting shirt gave MS
uncle great offense, and he said so.
: Dick replied that she had been talk