Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-25
Mr.. Starthly's words, John, though he
never asks u question. But the DAY will
come when he will pardon poor Ben,

lever asks u question. But the day will |
'ome when he will pardon poor Ben,
know it will"
And strathley, having done mission
Try work, will demand his reward2" said
John bitterly. "Margaret, do you be-
lleve he means fairly by you2 Isn't 1t
Just seasons amusement to him2"
II have no fears" she answered.
But in spite OF what folks might say,
Mr.. Strathly was at Ford, on and off, all
summer.
"Thc mill needed sight of looking
AFTER" they shifted; sit might run away;
he had taken mighty fancy to Meg
Bcvis, and p'raps she expected to be a
tine lady, anon, and ride in her carriage
and have servants untle; her; but there
was many a hole in the SKINNER. Twasnt
likely but he'd been used to women folks
as could play the pianny, and wear the
fashions rs natural as their own skins.
Old Bevis ought to be ashamed to allow
such goings on under his eyes. High
time o'day. too, fer Mr.. Stratbley to put
Bevis in overseer at the mill, over the
heads of younger and smarter men, with
no end of wages and nothing to do but
watch the gang-saw! That didn't look
queer, did it! And wasn't Strathley's
team stabbed in Bevis' barna and didn't
Meg use it when she pleased: and a
III lightly smart team, too, no one boss
shay And who could tell why he'd
bought the Dean meadow Of Bev's, when
it was such a barren waste that the grass
hoppers avoided it: He hadn't no use
for it; there wasn't stick Of timber on
it. but it put cash in old Bevis' pocket,
where cash was a stranger, cht'
Lolrimer was obliged to listen to all
this without the power of proving it
false and it made his heart ache rs that
organ never ached before, darkened the
day and embittered life for him. He
dreaded to meet friend or foe tor fear OF
hearing opinions which he could not COM
bat, and they all wondered that he would
not Join in the general cavil. Had not
Margaret thrown him over for 4 tlashy
fellow, about whom nobody knew any
thing beyond what he chose to tell!
Wasn't resentment the proper attitude for
Tilted loverI To ue sure he felt very
hard toward the handsome. well-to-do
gentleman who had stepped between him
and happiness who slipped so easily IN
to the position for which John had served
twice seven years.
He could scarcely bear the sight ofhlm
dawdling about Btvis' farm-as though
to the manor born--but he was obliged
to own that Srathley showed surpass-
ing good nature, an Indifference to his
rudeness that was provoking; and that he
was Just as ready to be civil and friendly
to him atterward.
''Surelv, this is a hard world" thought
Lorrimer, sin which it is necessary to
love cne's enemy, though he has stolen
the apple of ones eye.' Wasn't it re-
quiring little too much Of human ma
ture, or at least, of Lorrimer's nature?
Still, if he happened to meet Strathley
on the hi ghway and Jared on piece with
him, talking OF the prospects Of lumber
ing the coming winter; about provision
inG the camp and engaging men, and that
kind of rough and-ready life, LORI inner
could not deny but he was a pleasant
cumpauionable fellow enough, with a
deal of backbone, who knew his. work
AMI the sort OF people with whom he
had to deal.
II mean to have taste Of this camp
life myself this winter" he said, by the
way. Il want to know what it is like
to become brave enough not to heed
poor fate, hard couch, or bowling
wOlves.'
You won't find it as easy as lying, l
reckon said Lorrimer; "a little OF that
kind Of thing goes a great way"
II dare say. Are you going to join
my gang:" 49,, ,,o,.; s>,
a chance to sell out. | want to raise
some ready money and be off to Cali
fornia, where it grows faster than in this
soil"
':Ah, going to leave for good aud all?
Any disappointment? She hasn't gone
back on you, eh:''
"Who do you mean?'' asked John,
hercely.
The girl you are going to leave be-
hind you
Il have no sweet heart" said John
evasivciy.
"More's the pity-it's love that makes
the world 60 round"
mo, it isn't--it's money"
"If you want money, my boy, let me
help you."
You! No, thank you, want no mans
money!
'Lorri,aer did not Fl nd purchaser fol
his farm before the winter set in, colo
and bitter, with angry storms and biting
fros:s. He was still waiting for Ole
when Mr. Strathly came from town on {
dark December day, and meeting Lor
rimer, begged he would pioneer him
through the woods to the camp.
II suppose you know the woods al
we'll as your own face!" he said.
eyes" said Lorr,mer; "only, if i
| should come on to storm as it threatens
we may lose our rec koning.- Hadn't you
better wait till the weather clears2''
:'How far do you call it?"
/ Near SIX miles; but it isn't like walk
ing on concrete pavement you know.
mo, I'm inclined to push Oh to-day, i
you'le wiling"
They set out not long after noon; thu
sun came out and blinked at them bu
by the time they had struck into the deer
woods he had thought better Of it and re-
tired behind flaw Of snow.
This will all blow over" said Strath
ley, confidently.
Tor maybe we'll outstrip the storm ant
reach the camp ahead of it," agreed Lor
rimer.
But, though the storm seemed in NJ
hurry, it meant business; from q Sigh
flaw, it grew into a lazy tun,ult of snow
flakes, obliterating landmarks, and max
ing the woods mulky and bcwildering.
1'Six miles are soon travelled in tn
worst weather." averred Strathley. "It'
getting confoundedly dark, though, Lor
rimer; it seems to me we have walked tel
leagues Already
'l1l be blessed if it isn't the longest 81!
miles ever footed,' confessed Lerrimer
I'VE ought to be close upon the CAM
ul!ess-'
But just then Strathley stumbled il
the swiftly descending darkness, and fell
with groan over the ragged remnant o
q lightning blasted stump.
'tTough luck" sad Lorrimer, rubin!
- e.