The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-07-20

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those in the rear were breaking quietly
for the door. 1t was plain that Ag was
III fnry, and would not long control
herself. Bottles and glasses were within
her reach, and knife and revolver were
known to hang under the bar. A close
observer of her character had described
her as shell on impulse" In her pres.
ent condition she was extra hazardous
The retreat became stampede when she
threw out her arm toward the weapons,
and she was left alone.
The retreatcrs came together under q
shed a few rods from the Spread Eagle.
High Indignation was profanely ex-
pressed, and q proposition to mob Ag
and burn her house was received with
an enthusiastic "Hooray." But a con
sentative voice said that she was not
much to blame, taking the view of the
matter that she did, and it was a good
time for them to make an experiment in
forbearancc.
"An what in thunder would we do eff
the Spread Eagle was gone, an not
another bar ia No Coz
That remark presented startling
truth, and no moro was heard about
destroying Ag's house. Then somebody
laughed with an infectious cha, La, and
the woman's exploit came quickly into
favor as q piece Of rare fun. This view
Of the matter prevailed when Billy Wilk,
otherwise William Wilkinson joined the
group.
Billy Wiki was not too young to have
beard; his flannel shirt was as red and
coarse as aEybody's, his long boots as
heavy; and his soft hat as slouchy; yet he
lacked some Of the accomplishments of
his comrades. He could not swear as
! gllbly, he was constantly lapsHg into
good English, and he could not drink the
ordinary whisky of the town without u
grimace. He had contributed to the gift
I mirror, and full account of its reception /
was given to him.
"An' what does Billy Wilk think of
that?' the narrator concluded.
"Why, that Ag's woman, after all, "
said Billy, ''and therefore sensitive about
her personal appearance. What we want
to do is to convince her that no Joke was
intended. Now isn't that 50, boys ?"
Everybody said something that meant
yes.
81 move" said one chat Billy Wlk
be appointed convnciu committee.
He's the only camp that dar go into the
Spread Eagle ies now, shout casin' his
self in bilir iron. Oh, Ag won't hurt him
we all knows she's soft ON Billy.
"Nonscnse.' Billy interposed.
/ ""Iaint no nonsense, nuther. When
Ag keeps u scprit bottle for Billy Wiki,
jes' cause he's got a faint-hearted STUN
mic, it's ease o clear gone on Billy
Wiki. SO Billy's the man to send iii to
Squar us with Ag. Eli? 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 in
the slightest. Her back was still against
the bar, and her sharply bent elbow
rested on it for support. Her face WAS
yet hard with anger, but tears was
trickling down it, and she could not dash
them away SO quickly but that Billy saw
them.
oval. Billy Wiki" she said horshly
"was you i'll the gang in maxim fun o
mc?'
81 was with the boys in getting that
glass mp from Frisco, certainly, he sald
'but it wasn't done for sport, at all. 1t
was meant for sober, serious testlmo-
NAL. They hadn't the slightest notion OF
joke.
She took down a large lamp from the
wall, thrust it close to his face: and
gaaed eagerly into his eyes.
"See hyar, Billy Wilk, she said, 'if
You will look me squar in tho face ana
tell me so I'll believe We. Thar amt
nothin' | wouldn't take on your word
honor. less you said wasn't the home
lest woman We ever seed, an likely We
monght even make me think yed some
! whar come across an onsightlier critter
than be, if We tried. Ye never lied to
me, Tillv. We never told me that We
cared snap o yer fingers for me, cause
yer don't. That's squar as die. consld-
erin that yer know love every hair III
yer head, Billy WIKI
Billy had knowu 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,
ooh. We needn't blush, and she pat
the lamp back in its place. 81 don't,
cause | amt ashamed o loyln ye. FL
We told me We cared durn fer me, then
We might blush, either for the first lie 70
me. err fer shame that yefell in love with
/ 40, O. No Go. Shake, Billy.
His hand though hardened by toll,
was smaller than the one that grlpped
| it. u,,
"We're good friends at all events, he
you kin bet; pards, if ye like, an
thars no man in camp I'd ruther line
hans with"
She took the only bottle OF good
whisky in the house frOma drawer under
the bar. half filed two glasses, cllnked
Lar own against his, and emptled 1t IN
half the time he was occupied in SINH
lar occupation. .... -, u..o,
GLOW are you gettin' on with kunnel
Dingley's daughter Nell 49,.
Billy choked on the last swallow OF ms
,rbisky and Ags hand came down with
n helpful thump on his back, WI,
"IIColonel Dingley--daughter Nell,
he sputtered.
"Tbem's the biggest o the words.
Take glass o water. Yo didn't think
Tknow'd it. Swaller some more water.
Thar amt a thing We do, Billy-thar
amt an ounce of gold dust We lay by, or
n headache We have, VI button on yer
clothes | don't know it.. DID ye
- ,bot Gals photograph could he III