Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-07-30
TIE NEU HAND.

tics a little awk'ard NJ some
things, hut willin'," said Farmer Bryson,
n We aud his worthy mate sat i'll family
council on the days events, according f.
their wont.
The topic was George Dyer, the new
hand Mr.. Bryson had hired that day
viii, something less than his usual cir
cuusrrction for il was not his custom
. To- employ chance ComcIs, of whom ne
knew NOTHING, without reference. But
il WAS the thron% uf the season, and
labor l. were scarce, and the vCln"
man had an open, honest cnuntcnancc,
n supple. well-knit frame, and didn't
look lit lazy. So the farmer took him
on triad.
q don't think he's over done farm
work aforc," continued Mr.. Bryson
his hands don't look like it. But he's
amazin' quick at takin up things. H.
don't need morc'n wink To take Il
hint"
"And he's downright good lookiu'."
added Dame Bryson, stopping to take
up stitch she had dropped in her knit
ting.
"Thc first virtue in a woman's eyes.
Of course, retorted the farmer. with n
hanterng chuckle. "But there's more
to him than good looks, | can tell You.
He's got head full of sense. You know
what knowledgablc chap Hiram
Gooch sets up to lie. Wen, he come
along at rcstin' time to-day, and tackled
the new hand on the labor qucsti'n.
Dyer fought shy at first, but, when
Hiram crowded him, he Just turned
on him with n few keen p'ints which
Hiram said he hadn't time to answer
thcn, and it's my opinion it'll be a long
time afore he WILL"
81 wonder what keeps Nora" saidthc
farmers wife, looking anxiously ut the
clock.
- guess she's atoppin' awhile To- chat
/ with Ncighbor buttons gals" replied
the farmer. "You know how it i, with
youngsters. But where's Dyer? I'm
almost sorry l spoke up SO thouGhtless
To Nora about bringin' that money Farm
CT Dutton promised to send for the oats.
I think Dyer's all right, but one can't
be too particular with strangers"
/ GIVE no fears on the now hands a.
count" Mrs. Bryson answered; "bu.
that ill-lookin' tramp that had his sup
Per III the kitchen was just goin' out of
the front gate when you spoke to Nora,
and he may have heard YOU"
/ An anxious look came over the farm
er's face, and, donnlng his hat and tab
ing MP a stout stick, he sailed out.
The evening shades had gathered. and
it was almost dark when Nora Bryson
left Farmer buttons TO return home.
Her path lay through a lonely wood,
and she felt little nervous as she hur-
ned along, starting now and then as an
occasional rustic broke the stiffness.
She had completed nearly half the way,
and was Wishing the other half safely
finished, when sound Of hurried and
As she Imagined, stcalthy steps, ap-
preaching the path little in advance,
and us if from one side, arrested her at
tcntion.
The next moment mans form
blocked the way. Nora would have
turned and fled, but fright ovcrcame
her, and she stood trembling and
spc"chlcSs.
"Give me the money you have about
you " commanded voice, coarse and
brutal
ell have no money" Nora man.
aged to faltef. And she spoke truly,
for Farmer Dutton had not been ready
to send the amount she had been com.
mlssloned to receive, promising to bring
1t over himself i'll few days.
" 1T Is false I" the man growled saw
agely; and when Nora repeated her de-
NAL his rage became ungovernable.
"Give it to me instantly or I'll kill
you'll" he Missed through his clenched
teeth.
Nora uttered faint cry and turned
to flee, but the mans hand gripped her
arm like wise, and, with shudder, she
felt the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed
against her temple!
With the quickness Of flash another
figure appeared upon the scene. and two
well-direcied blows, delivered in so
quick succession that they must have