The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-06-01
smile that was little more than a carica-

Pat replied that he had not that hon
or, and might truthfully have added
that he did not crave it, but prudence
prompted him to withhold the latter
part of the assertion.
We'll then," pursued the stranger by
way of introduction, my name is Brax-
ton, Bill Braxton they call me; and al
though | may not be the handsomest
man i'll this here woods, I'm pretty good
wood. Can We say the same for yerself,
young fellow But s'pose We can, at
least the first part of it," he added be-
fore Pat could reply, fur | spose We
kno'c as well as | can see, that old Moth
er Natur' didn't strain herself hand
somin up yer face"
Pat replied by stating that he did
not believe either of them would ever
be so unfortunate as to be hung for their
beauty, and added that he did not con-
slider there was any analogy between
himself and a block of wood, but that
he believed himself to be pretty good
flesh and bone and blood and muscle,
although he was altogether too modest
to openly boast OF it.
The stranger saw at once that he had
not succeeded in making favorable
impression upon the Irishman, and he
left off exchanging compliments, and
proceeded upon another "tack," as nau-
tical men would say.
Been livin' long in the woods?" he
inquired.
About year." replied Pat.
"You amt Mr.. LaVergne, are ye?" he
again questioned.
Pat replied that he was not, but was
employed by that gentleman, and lived
with his family.
90, I've heerd of ye," said Braxton
But I've never had the pleasure of
meetin' We before. But now we've got
bit acquainted, hope we shall meet
often and know each other better. But"
he added as he saw that Pat cast fire.
quent glances in the direction of his AK,
and appeared anxious to resume the
employment in which he had been in
terrupted, 81 wont keep We from yer
work any longer. | was on my way to
git acquainted with Mr.. La Vergne as
| hain't run across him yet since he's
lived here, and bein' such nigh neigh
bors, Twin but about fifteen miles from
here myself, it's about time we knew
each other. BY the way, | understand
he's got iine-lookin' daughter, and as
I'm somethin' of judge of calico, |
want to strike up an acquaintance with
the young lady. Good day" And lift.
ing the gun upon which he had been
leaning during the conversation, he
placed it upon his shoulder and started
away in the direction of Mr. La Vergne's
| house.
Pat stood looking at him for few
moments, and as he disappeared from
view among the trees, he muttered to
himself and shook his head in an omin.
Gus way as he picked up his ak and pre-.
pared to resume his labor.
"As big a rascal as / iver laid me two
eyes on or liver ixpect to. May the howly
Virgin grant that there amt any more
him; for one such in the whole worruld
is one too many! The bloody villain
He names nothing but harrum to any
one, and not hape O. good. | felt as
If / stood right be the side OF q plZen
massauger all the while he was talkin
to me. Ugh! smell the pizen of him
in the air now Bad luck to miSther
La Vergne and the whole family if they
take such divil as he is for friend"
The remainder of his soliloquy was
drowned by the sound of his ak as he
piled his blows with more vigorous
energy than before, as if he imagined
every blow fell upon the neck of some
such person as just left his presence,
until in imagination he had beheadeo
all the rascals in the universe.
Meanwhile BraXton leisTely wended
his way toward the house, which III due
time he reached and introduced himself
to the entire family, who, both male
and female, were employed in planting
seeds in the little garden.
Mr.. La Vergnes first impressions
were adverse to the new conner, but he
charitably endeavored not to be govern
, ed by them, and tried to persuade him.
self that although the mans exterior
! was uncouth, he might be honest and
1 true; for many of the backwoodsmeI
A were rough-spoken and uncouth inthcil
n manners, yet possessed large and faith
Q full hearts; and he argued that such wa
r probably the case with this man.
Carrie cast her eyes toward BraXtol
+ occasionally, and whenever she did so
she invariably met his gaze fastened
f upon her, with bold, curious admlra
ton which made her not only uneaS.
but indignant.
She soon excused herself and entered
the house where she would be secure
, from his bold, bad gaze; and after III
; went away, she returned and resumed
, her employment of sowing flower seed
in a little bed which Julian had spade'
and raked smoothly for her.
Father" said she suddenly, 81 don
/ like that man, and | wish he had neve
y come here"
u Hush, my daughter" said Mr.. l.;
i Vergne; Eve can not expect that PEG
5 pie who have always lived in the wood
> will be refined either in words or man
u ners. You know Mr. Morrison, the oil,
| /. IL. IL,