The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-08-19

The retreat became stampede when she
threw out her arm toward the weapons,
and she was left alone. rtf
The retreatcrs came together under a
shed a few rods from the Spread Eagle
High indignation was profanely ex-
pressed. and n proposition tn mob Az
aud burn her house was received with
an enthusiastic "Hooray." But con-
sentative voice said that she was not
much to blame, taking the view of the
matter that she did, and it was good
time for them to make an experiment. III
forbearance.
"An' what in thunder would we lo Of
the Spread Eagle was gone, an not
another bar in No Goe"
That remark presented startling
truth, and no more was heard abou.
destroying Ag's house. Then somebody
laughed with IN infectious cha. ha, and
the woman's exploit came quickly into
favor as piece of rare fun. This view
of the matter prevailed when Billy Wilk,
otherwise William Wilkinson joined the
group.
Billy Wilk was not too young ia have
beard: his flannel shirt was as red and
coarse as anybody's, his long boots as
heavy; and his soft hat as slouchy; vet lie
lacked some of the accomplishments Of
his comrades. He could not swear as
glibly, he was constantly lapsing into
good English, and he could not drink the
ordinary whisky of the town without a
grimace. He had contributed TO the Gift.
mirror, and n full account of its reception
was given to him.
can what does Billy Wiki think of
that ?" the narrator concluded.
"Why. that Ags woman, after all, 4"
said Billy. land therefore sensitive about
her personal appearance. What we want
to do is to convince her that no joke was
intended. Now isn't that so, boys ?"
Everybody said something eilat meant
yes.
81 move," said one shat Billy Wilk
he appointed n convincin' committee.
He's the only camp that dar go into the
Spread Eagle jes now. 'thout casin his
self in bilir iron. Oh, Ag won't hurt him
we all knows she's soft on Billy"
Nonsense" Billy interposed.
Taint no nonsense, nuther. When
Az keeps seprit bottle for Billy Wilk,
jes' cause he's got faint-hearted STUN
mic, it's ease O. clear gone on Billy
Wilk. So Billy's the man to send ia to
squar us with Ag. Eth? Say Aye, if
I'm talkin' wise.
A roar of "Ayes" was decisive. Billy
entered the Spread Eagle on his mission
of Cancellation.
Ag had not changed her attitude ia
the slightest. Her back was still against
the bar, and her sharply bent elbow
rested on il fer support. Her face was
yet hard with anger, bat tears was
trickling down it. aud she could not dash
them away so quickly but that Billy saw
them.
oval, pilly Wiki" she said harshly,
"waa you in the gang in malliu' fun o
me?"
II was with the boys in getting that
glass up from Frisco, certainly" he said;
''but it wasn't done for sport. at all. 1t
was meant for sober, serious testimo-
nial. They hadn't the slightest notion OF
q joke.
She took down a large lamp from the
wall, thrust it close to his face, and
gazed eagerly into his eyes.
''See hyar, Billy Wiki" she said, "if
you will look me squar i'll the face aud
tell me SO TIL believe we. Thar amt
honor, less you said wasn't the home
lest woman We ever seed, an likely we
mought even make me think ye'd some
whar come across an Onsightlier critter
than he, if We tried. Ye never lied to
me, lily. Ye never told me that We
cared a snap o yer fingers for me, cause
yer don't. That's squar as % die. consid-
erin that yer know love every hair in
yer head, BILLY Wiki"
Billy had known it, as she said, but
nothing of the kind had ever been spoken
between them, and he did not find her
blunt avowel comfortable TO receive.
"Oh, we needn't blush" and she put
the lamp back in it's place. II don't,
cause L amt ashamed o lovin' We. IF
We told me We cared o durn fer me, then
We might blush, either for the first lie to
me, er fer shame that we fell in love with
Ag. O. No Gro. Shake, Billy"
His hand though hardened by toll.
was smaller than the one that gripped
it.
Were good friends at oil events" he
said.
"You kin bet; pards, il We like, an
thar's no man in camp I'd rather jim
hans with"
She took the only bottle OF good
whisky in the house from drawer under
the bar, half filled two glasses, clinked
her own against his, and emptied it in
half the time he was occupied in q SINH
lar occupation.
"How are you gettin' on with Kunnel
Dingley's daughter Nell ?"
Billy choked on the last swallow of his
whisky, and Ag's hand came down with
helpful thump on his back.
"I-Colonel Dingley-daughter Nell. y
he sputtered.
"Them's the biggest o. the words.
Eake glass o water. Ye didn't think
/ know'd it. Swaller some moro water.
Thar amt thing We do, Billy-thar
amt an ounce of gold dust We lay by, OF
a headache We have, vr button off yeI
clothes-that L don't know it,. Did We
s'pose that gals photograph could be in
your room an 1 not light onto it? BE
We chokin' yet Mebbe it's emoshine
makes you so red. Wal, axed We bout