The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-07-26
"Why hain't many been in his shanty ~
Miss Jarvis demanded, meanwhile. 'r{

me. Fact is, he's queer. He lets We sec
sometimes that he's dedicated, 'ithout
meanin' to; one thing he don't seem 10
know how to talk to woman any way but ",
stylish, but mostly he talks common. They
say he's got college diploma in thar.
An they say he's been doctor, or jedge,
or suthin' sech in some city, an jest backed
out an come up yer to raise Vegetables
Miss Jarvis had no time for more, for
"Old Tom" was close to them. As he came
nearer she saw that he was younger than
his gray hair and seambling gait made him
seem. If he had Strengthened up and
stepped out freely he would have been
quite stalwart. He had heavy blond
beard, and listless blue eyes; his features
were fine and intelligent, but with a pass
i've, indifferent expression.
swell, Gid, he said, absently, standing
between the wheels, and lean
ing his arms on the seat. "Lectioneerin,'
heyln
"Yaas Coin to vote for mel"
"Dent know. Likes not ! shant
vote.'
"Oh, you orter vote for me, hadn't he,
Mis- Jarvis2 Lelne interduce we to Miss
Jarvis, Tom; she's yer new school
mom.'
Instantly the battered hat came off with
q courteous gesture, and Tom
Strengthened up from his slouching posi-
ton.
II beg your pardon, madam; did not
see that Mr.. Barker had lady with him.
I'm glad to meet you, Miss Jarvis, and ]
hope your school teaching here will be
very pleasant. I'm afraid ladies find teach
ing these very remote schools rather weary
and thankless work."
"This seems to be an easy school, mostly
half Breeds and they're too stupid to be
troublesome" Miss Jarvis said, much i'm
pressed by the impalpable air OF courtesy
and refinement in the mans tone and man
ner "You don't send any children, do
your"
She meant it for home question, and
watched his face. But he only SAID, indif-
ferently though politely: mo, have not
that pleasure"
When they had driven on, Miss Jarvis
began: But you must know something
about him. Where'd he come from; and
what's his true names"
"We-ell," began Baker leisurly, setting
himself for story, "this 'ere's all ever
knew--an' amt no bad hand to find out
things either. Say eight year ago thar
come tramp round whar wasat Shasta.
Tramps wasn't every day diet them days,
an folksd give EN- money. But
this man, says he; 'Wha' does man do
yer fer his Twin when he amt
got no capitalg says he. An says I, bein'
| by says 1: Herds sheep Kin I herd
yournl" says he An says l.: Whats yer .
namer And he says: Tom; and not.a
word more could get outen him. Then
says; Wizard ye come fromp An he says,
says he: AL over; I've ben trampin' it
this five year, an now I'm sick on it, an
wan to settle down, says he; an that's all
ever got outen him. Well, I hired i'm;
and he jest stuck to the herder's camp, an
never spent nothin; an in two
Ior three years he prospccted
round an bought that ar
patch, an put it into garden. He's ben adj
din to it ever sence, There hain't no sech
garden-stuf in the county as his'n; but he
won't try to make money; sells his stuff to
Chiny peddlers fer jest enough to save him
self. Ye see, he's sort O cracked; smart
enough fer governor, if he was all there.
He's kind o wrapped up in his garden;
once a lot O. sheep broke
away, an cum acrost a piece of
new corn, an used it clean up. Well, they
do say, Old Tom, he really cried when he
see it, bein as he's gettin' sorter childish;
but he wouldn't take cent for it.
faint the valley Of the corn says he;
but says he, lit makes me feel bad to see
that pretty field all spoiled Seems like
he feels ter yer garden, not havln' anythin'
else to be fond of" ended Baker, senti-
mentally.
But Miss Jarvis was not sentimental.
SHAY be he's hiding from officers she
suggested. "Wasnt there ever sheriffs here
looking for some onea"
| "Plenty of em, said Barker, chuckling.
"Some one or mother always sends 'em
after Tom. They 60 up an rest him, an
examine him, an come away an say he
9in't their man. He's got quite used to
bein' arrested, Tom has.
| Don't he ever have lettersl"
| "Not letter. Once letter come to the
office for an Austin Wedgwood, an one to
| tiV postmaster uShlu upOWt bCCn u ludu. nc
went to OF Tom, but Tom, says he "Taint'
none o. mine; don't know no sech manu-
"Why, good land ~ cried Miss Jarvis in
great excitement, with her eyes blacker and
her cheeks redder than ever: "there was
letter like that came to our postoffice! just
the same name"
"Folks are always writin' all over Cali
forny after stray men, said Barker, philo-
sophically. "They think Californy's bout
as big as township, an that everybody
here knows all the men in the State. Well,
here we are; glad l come along jest right
to bring you home. Suppose you jest take
this poster along with yc, an get one o
them big boys to stick ii mp on the shed
whar il hin be seen trum the road.'
Miss Jarvis stood on Mrs. Sharp's I'M
planed door step q moment watching the
buggy roll away, in the low wintry sun
shine that made the manzanita shrubs
roster than ever.
"Great representative he'll make,' she
thought. "He amt educated at ALL"
when she turned to more interesting sub