The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-06

threw himself into it as heartily as if it had been
his life long vocation, and speedily became one
OF the best gcides in the region 1t was observed
however, that whenever he could do SO, he
avoided taking parties in which there were ladies'
Sometimes for whole season it would happen
tnat he had not once been seen in charge of such
party. Sometimes, when it was difficult, in
fact impossible for him to assign any reason for
refusing to go with parties containing members
of the obnoxious sex, he would at the last mo-
ment privately entreat some other guide to take
his place, and, voluntarily relinquishing al the
profits OF the engagement, disappear and be lost
for several days. During these absences it was
said: ''Steves gone to see his wife" or loft
with that Indian wife O his up north, and these
vague idle gossiping cenjectures slowly crystal
hzed into positive rumor. which no one could
either trace gainsay.
And SO the years went on, one, two, three,
four, and Dandy Steve" had become one of the
most popular and best known guides in Adiron
dack country. His seeming effeminacy of attire
had been long proved to mark no effeminacy of
nature, no lack of strength. There was not a
better shot. q stronger rover on the list Of sum
mer guides; neither better cook and provider
Every party which went out under his care re-
turned with warm praise for Steve; with a
friendly feeling, also which would in many in
stances have warmed into familiar acquaintance
II Steve would have permitted it, But, with ali
his cheerfulness and obliging good will, he never
lost certain quantity of reserve. Even the
men whose servant he was for the time belLg
were insensibly constrained TO respect this and
to keep the distance he, not they. determined.
There remained always something they could
not as the phrase was make out" about him.
His aversion to women was well known SO
much so that it had come to be taeitly un-
derstood thing that parties of which women
were members need not waste their time try
ing to induce Dandy Steve" to take them in
charge
But fate had not lost sight of Steve yet. He
had had his period of solitary independence, of
apparent absolute control of his own destinies
His seven years were up. If he had supposed
that lie was serving them, like Jacob of old. for
that best beloved mistress, freedom, he was
mistaken. The seven years We're up. How lit
tie he dreamed what the eighth would bring
him.
1t was midsummer and one of Stoves richest
and best patrons, Richard Cravath, of Philadel
phia, had not yet appeared. For three summers
Mr. Crayath and two or three of his friends had
spent a month in the Adrlondacks, hunting.
fishing, camping under Steve's guidance. They
were all rich men, and generous and what was
to Steve of far more worth than the liberal pay,
considerate of his feelings, tolerant of his reti
cence, not man of them but respected their
queer, silent guides individuality as
much as = if he had been man of
their own sphere of life. Steve had
learned by some unpleasant experience that this
delicate consideration did not always obtain be-
tween employers and employed 1t takes a finer
than ordinary organization to perceive, and live
up to the perception, that the fact shat you have
hired a man for a certain sum of money per
month to cook your food or drive your horses
gives you no right to ask him in regard to his
private, personal affairs prying questions which
you would not dare to put to common acquaint
ances in society.
AS week after week went by and no news
came from Mr. Cravath, Steve found himself
really saddened at the thought of not seeing
him. He had not realized how large a part of
his summers pleasure, as well as their profit,
had come from the months sport with this Phil
adelphia party. Wlstfuiiy ne scrutlnlzed the
list of arrivals at the different houses day after
day, for the familiar names but they were not to
be found At last, after he had given over looking
for them, he was electrified one evening in Sep
tember by having his name called from the
piazza of one of the hotels. ''Steve! Is that
you! You're just the man l want; was afraid
we were too late to get YOU"
1t was Mr.. Crayath, and with him the two
friends whom Steve had liked best of all who had
been in Mr.. Cravaths parties. 1t was the JOY
of the sudden surprise which prevented Steve's
giving his customary close attention to Mr.. era
vaths somewhat vague description of the party
he had brought this time.
You must arrange for eight, Steve" he said
There may not be quite so many. One or two
of the fellows hoped FOR have not arrived, and
it is too late to wait long for any one. If they
are not here by day after tomorrow we will
start" 'And, oh, Steve" he continued
with an affected careless ease but all the while
cycling Stoves face anxiously, Il forgot to men
tion that have brought my wife along this
time. She positively refused to let me off. She
said she was tired of hearing so much about the
Adirondacks She was coming this time to see
for herself. You needn't have the least fear
eler as | am, every bit; I've had her in training
at it for thirty years, and tell her. old AS we
are, we are better campers than most of the
young people.
That's So Mr. Cravath," replied Steve, his
countenance clouded and bis voice less joyous.
III answer for it for you; but, do you think,
sir, any lady could go where we went last year,"
In his heart Steve was saying to himself: 1.-The
idea of bringing an old woman out here.
wouldn't do it for anybody in the world but Mr..
Cravath'
my wife can go anywhere and do anything
that can, Steve" said Mr.. Cravath you
need not begin to look blue, Steve and if you
back out, or serve Us any of your woman hating
tricks. such as I've heard of, I'll never speak to
you again, never"
II wouldn't serve you any trick, Mr., Cravath;
you know that" replied Steve, proudly, land !
haven't the least idea of backing out"
But am afraid Mrs. Crayath will be disap-
pointed" he added, as he went down the steps,
and luckily did not turn his head to see Mr..
Cravaths face covered with the laughter he had
been restraining during the last few moments
Caught him, by Jove." he said turning to his
companion, tall, dark-faced man. Caught
him, by Jove, Randall He never once thought
to ask of what sex the other members of the
party might be. He took it for granted my
wife was to be the only woman"
do you think that was quite fair, Crayathl'
replied DIR. Randall He would never have
taken us in the world if he had known there
were three women in the party"
'Pshaw!'' laughed Mr.. Crayatb. "Good
enough for him for having such a crotchet in his
head. Well take it out of him this trip"
"Or set it stronger than ever" said Mr.. Ran
dali MY mind misgives me. We shall wish
we had not done it. He may turn sulky and
unmanageable on our hands. when ne finds him
self trapped
I'm risk it," said Mr.. Crayath, confidently
IF can't bring him around Helen W!ngate
dumb beast yet that could resist her."
Mr. Randall sighed Poor child" he said
Isn't her gayety something wonderful! One
would not think to look at her, that she had ever
had an hours sorrow; but my wife tells me that
she cannot speak of that husband of hers vet