The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-06-08

SAYS the old pioneer of the valley below.
= lie had plenty 81 room. We both slept
in it one night
Al which the tourist peeps in again,
and wonders II the long limbed Texan
was not bit cramped by the looi-board.
when Circus Jack told Marian the
story II was freshcr and less wonderful
than now.
:. Was the snow very deep?" she said.
:. Was there no danger OF his freezing 70
deaihF"
- never hearn much about II any
how" said Circus Jack. "'cept tibet he
lived thar alone cuttin' shingles. ! 'spcct
the snow was bout four or live foot deep
up thar whm he lived. He's close
mouthed one. tell yer. Never git
nothin' outer him. an when he's drunk
he don't tell nothin' whatsomdcycrp
This. with glance. hali-piiying. half
reassnring. As though he would promise
her that the secret, whatever II might be,
was safe.
One comforting doubt beat at the
woman's heart all the while that Jack
was talking. "perhaps this man was
not the one'"
She mentioned this at length, and ask
ed Jack what his quandom partner"
was like.
!. He was slighf-built ieller. rayther
light-complected. \ was the reply. ..An'
han some, called him handsome,
didn't You, Scotty?'
Scotty. thus appealed 10, gave a pro
fame assent. lie had scarcely moved a
muscle since he sat down. with his eyes
fixed on Marian's fair. ever-changing
face. Mrs. sharpe, after A vain attempt
To engage him in conversation, had quiz
city withdrawn, having no relish for be-
ing one Of quartette where two did all
the talking.
Was he--an educated man9' in
quired Marian hesitatingly. feeling in a
vague way that the question might Of
fend Jack.
..Yes. he war; replied that worthy
in cOntemplative tone. "When he
war drunk hcv hearn him talkin a LOT
Of stuff like po'try. Thar's pile Of
books i'm nv cabin now that he used ter
read considerable. can't make head
nor tail To 'em. p'r'aps You might"
81 would like to see them," said Ma
rian eagerly.
Jack nodded. and pause ensued. At
length Scotty remarked the Told
man." meaning Cutey, was s'reyther
late in lightin' up" at which Jack arose
and babe the stranger good night
Marian put out her hand. saying, ''We
will be good friends. hope"
Circus Jack took it by the finger tips
cautiously. careful not 10 hurt il with
his horny fingers.
.I'll do arv thing in the world fur
yer, madam" he replied earnestly and
ENORMOUSLY.
.There was one thing wished to
ask" she said, Though il may be q
foolish question. Did You ever notice
any-ring he wore or-carriedg'
ssThey WIS ring. but IN beat Il
kin tell what kind. Once when Jim was
turrible sick. an his hand swelled up,
wanted to file il off, but he fought 50
couldn't. He said when he got well the
il had never been off, nor never
shouldn't be while he had life 70 fight. :
Cant you tell me what Il i like?'
she asked.
Al amt no hand said Circus Jack
seed il. but
.Was il ike thisP' She drew +;
dainty purse from her pocket. and tool
from it, safest corner plain. flat bans
Of gold. with small disk on IL, shaped
like the half Of heart placed horizon
tally.
Prezactly,- exclaimed Circus Jacl
with emphasis
She opened her purse to put II bacl
but II fell from her hand, scattering he
little stock Of money over the floor, ans
a moment after. when Mrs. Sharp
came in. In response 10 frantic halloe
from Scotty, she found Marian in deas
faint upon the floor, with Scotty an,
Circus Jack, with hands clasped be
hind them, kneeling on either side o
her like uncouth angels, while scattered
coins and escaping masses Of goilen
brown hair formed halo about he
head.
She was ashamed Of and provoked a
her weakness afterward; said she wa
fatigued with her long and wearisom'
ride. and that she never tainted before
but il she had been an accomplishe,
diplomatist. she could have planned
nothing better for herpopularity.
As for the fadcd-out woman, her opin
ion, which had been lettering under
severe reproof from Cutey, now under
went complete revolution
"Them kind never faintsi" she sai'
TO herself dogmatically, as she assiste'
Marian to her room and begged her Z
stake things easy like" She patient,
answered one hundred and seven in
quiries that evening varying from
= How's the sick ladyP" 70 ".jim vii
mer's gal perking up q little artcr he
faint?'' and for the rest Of Marian's sta
in Mariposa she proved that kindlines
Of heart had been one Of the z fast col