, 1878-04-12
Dirk Hacker.

JuDtL, n'h = JNe ~ ~
thing for my sake"
Ann Harden put her arms about her
hus bands neck, and caressed him ten
derly. They were plain, Woodworking
people, who had made love-match, and
Ann had a great influence over Jabez,
and he was fond of her, and anxious to
make her happy. Now, however, his
face wore very obstinate expression, as
his wife went on:
Indeed, Jabez, ] am sure he's bad
man. know it. can't tell you how,
but know Dirk Hacker is bad man."
"That is a good, sensible reason said
Jabez, laughing. "lt's woman's rea
son, that's what is"
at is better reason than men know"
said Ann. "Look at the mans face,
Jabez"
swell, he's no beauty" said Jabez,
shut you see the man has had hard life,
and met with an accident or two, and
you can't expect him to look smooth and
pink and white, like your minister that
you think such an angel, just because he
has straight nose and dimpe in his
chin. tell you Dirk is as good as other
men, and I'll have him for my friend
while like him as well as | do. It's
Almost time he was here now, if we're
going down to the mill together"
"Going to the mill togetherG" ejacu.
lated Ann. "Does he know that Mr..
Rush has entrusted you with the money
to pay the hands off, Will you 90 through
the woods with man like that, he know
ing all the while that you have thou
sand dollars about you. Jabez, are you
mad2"
"You seem 10 be, Ann" said Jabez.
"Why, of course he knows that Mr.. Rush
has done what he has often done before.
Why, we've got to be like brothers-we
have; and never knew you to act like
this before, Ann"
"You will go with him, then," said
Ann, "through lonely wood, in desc
late place like this, with sum like that
about you, and he aware of itl"
Jabez only laughed.
"Take me with you, them" said Ann.
"Nonsense," said Jabez. "No, l won't
do that"
"Take your pistol, at least, and see that
it is loaded" pleaded bis wife.
81 don't mind if do that" said Jabez
1--WE might meet some evil-minded per-
sons-my friend Dirk and l. I'll take
both pistols if you like"
"No," said the frontiers woman.
"Leave me one of them. Dirk might
come back"
Just then rap sounded on the door.
"COme inm cried Jabez, and Dirk
Hacker entered. Ann ran into another
room, aud Dirk sat down beside the table.
81 am glad you are no later, Dirk
said Jabez, pushing the bottle and glass
that already stood there toward his
guest. "Wet your whistle, and we'll start.
The sun will be down before get back
to the mill now, and the men will think
they are not going to be paid tonight"
"Not they" said Dirk. swell, here's
luck to ALL" and he emptied his glass
and Jabez followed his example. Then
"Where's my coata" cried he.
And Ann at that moment brought it
from the inner room.
"Be careful OF the money now,' said
she. "The package Of bills is in the
right hand pocket, and the list of mems
names and wages along with it. And
I've known you to lose things out of your
pockets before this, Jabez, and once YOU
had 'em picked down in New York, you
know
"Ah! New York is bad place, Mrs.
Harden" said Dirk. "Thieyes of all
kinds there. But folks are mostly hon.
est in place like this, and that's the
best of it."
swell, l hope So" said Ann. Good.
bye, Jabez."
There were tears in her eyes as she
kissed him; but Dirk cried out:
"Ihat makes man enyious:" and she
ran into the little room and slammed the
door behind her.
Got temper like most women folks, "
said Dirk.
ooh, she's all right" answered Jabez,
"only women do take notions"
Then the wiseacre walked away with
his friend, and was soon lost in the shad