The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-11-01
WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE.
Get out, YOU old Scamnf"


1t was a brilliant July day, with skies
OF cioudless blue, the air scented with
clover blossoms, and the brook wentino
us melodlous way under green MOSES Of
peppermint; and Mr.. Carey, who had
walked a long distance, and had lust fall,
len into dOze, under the refresLino
shade OF gnarled old apple tree, started
salvanicaiIy up at this ungentle address.
Maam, said he, Il assure you am
rot trespassing: I"
But his apologize words were cut short
by the rafting of a stout stick on the
stone wall, close to him; and in another
moment belligcrent looking red COW,
came plunging through the nigh grass
directly toward his haven of refuge.
lie started to run, but his foot catcb>
ing IN the gnarled root of an ancient tree
he fell headlong. The COW executed a
hurdle leap over his PROSTATE form, and
vanished iii clump OF hazel bushes, and
IA resolute bright eyed woman, of some
lorly years, came to the rescue with =
Tapping sun bonnet tied over her ears
and stuck balanced over her shoulder
Don't strike" pleaded Mr. Carey.
I'm getting off the premises as fast as |
can. l assure you | didn't know | was
trespasing
Desire Welland blushed back very pref
tily, as she pushed the sunbonncf. and
endeavored to adjust her luxuriant red
browp hair, which had broken loose from
Its pins.
"Oh, I'm so sorry said she. 1T wasn't
you | meant at ALL sir; it was the COW
who got into the cabbage patch. Did Init
You with the stick? But never dreamed
of any one but Bossy being there Oh. do
let me run home and Get the camphor bot
tle?"
Slowly, Mr.. Carey raised himself to q
sitting and then standing posture; slowly
he felt his knees, elbows and collar bones.
I'm not hurt" said hc-'not to sig
, nifty that is. 1t wasn't your stick, ma am,
1t was the roots of this COMPOUNDED old
tree. Its enough to startIc any man don't
you see2to hear himself called an old
scamp"
'But it wasn't you meant. breath
lessly cried Desire; 1T was the old COW
Won't you let me run up to the house and
get capcine plaster Oh, do.
| Desire was fair to look upon, in spite
OF her forty summers, with biz black eyes,
a laughing cherry red mouth and cheeks
just Drowned with the hcallhful hue of the
mountain hreezes. Mr.. Carey felt himself
| gradually softening as he looked at her.
No" SAID he 81 don't care for a
capcine plaster But | have walked a
good way, and | should like Il bowl of
coffee if its handy"
''Oh, pray come to the house then,
said Desire. Its only step across the
orchard. Oh, that COW that COW! We
must certainly have her hampcred after
thisW
Perhaps, said Mr., Carey, solemnIy
as he endcavorcd to straighten the edge,
of his hat, ''you know a family by til,
name of Wolland who lives hcrcnbouts
Two old maids, who manage a farm al
by themselves. Very peculiar females,
am told
Desire stood still and began to laugh
deep crimson sulTused her cheeks.
Why, cried She, Its lis. Its me anC
Malvina. We are the Wcland girls.
! 1t was Mr. Carey's turn to flush anG
look awkward, now
"Oh" said he. "WelI, it don't matter
I've business at the Wcllani farm-that'
all.
isn't it strange that things shoul
happen so?' cried Desire, opening III
gate into the dim, shadowy orchard
where scarlet lilies grew in the tall grass
and robins dartcd in and ont Of the droop
inc boughs Here's the house. You Ca
see it now. Malvina and have manage,
the farm ever since father died. PhilO-
that's my brothrr-has house and Al
estate of his own, and his wife don't wan
any single relations. But we've done yer
well, every one says. Here's the place
And here 5 Malvina.
Miss Mavina Welland was Giligentl
hoeing sweet corn in Il mans hat an
boots. She was Il tall Amazonian sort {
female, hair cut short, and a masCulin
way of leaning on her hoe. She locke
D sharply around at the sound of footsteps
as it the new hired man. said she
Then Desire, you may tell him that W
: don't want help that comes this time Of
day I'll have no eight hour men on NJ
/ place
t ION, Malyina. hush!' cried the young
est sister, in despair, ITS gentleman O
e business
In came brother Philo from the bac
yard, with an anger in his hand.
d "Eh?7 said brother Philo, Il wrinklcC
hard featured man in blue overall, an
boots that looked rs if they might hay
y been carved ont of lighum vitae. Bus
- ness? 1t amt SEWN machine, | sui
n pose, or a new Patent reaper, or any
# those labor savin humbugs? Because
n Its about your cousin Rolf, said NJ
r Carey-''Paul WclIands son. He's con
e back from Australia. lie requested II
, to come over here, as | happened TO
passing this way and see what his RELATIVE
would do about giving him home.
At these words Mrs Philo Wellal
emerged from the Currant bushes, whc
she was picking the sparkling, rubycolo
ed fruit to make Jelly, For Mrs. I'm
believed in always picking her neighhor
s. before she began on her own.
in "A home indecdr' said Mrs. Pbilo. II
!, what always told you, Philo! Says
n that manT be sure to come back son
lc day poorer than poverty, says l. Al
n hen expect us to take care of him thel
But we've worked a deal to hard for OF
meney-me and Philo-and if he wan
to be supported, let him just 60 20 Il
moor house. Paul WeIland always was
rowing crcetur, and Rolf amt no bette
I'll go bailT
C MIR. Philo Welland screwed up his ia
;" into an expression of the utmost caution
"Pr'aps you're his lawyer. sir sa
he.
Mr.. Carey nodded.
Il act for him, said he.
Then tell him" said Philo succlnctl