Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-12-18
THE LITTLE B0OK-KEEPER.
BY j. NJ. MERRILL.

Toward I'
There was ring of infinite scorn in
the voice, and the little book keeper
reeled and shrank under it. He felt his
tnsignificancc then if never before. Whv
could he not be man among men9 He
had uttered this question mentally
hundred times, but he never felt his little
ness as he did that night when that one
word of contempt and scorn fell from
he full red lips of Janet Lyon.
She was the acknowledged belle of
the Muskegon valley, the daughter of
the senior member of the firm of Lyon,
Haight & Co. Janet was not child of
fashion, but strong, healthy child of
the pine woods. Muskegon was the end
of the world to her, and at the time of
which we write was mere village, with
no connection with the outside world. 1t
was yet the lumberopolis of Western
Michigan, and rapidly growing in i'm
portance.
1t was at dance in log house near
Maple Top that Mark Farnham received
the rebuke described. A great, hulk
ing logger had trodden on the skirt of
Janet's cashmere and ripped it at the
waist. The logger merely said 'Blank
the Dress" and went on with his dane
ing.
1.-The insulting puppyw exclaimed
Janet with flushed checks. Aud then, a
minute later, she turned on Mark Farm
ham, her escort, a little, pale-faced
fellow, with mild blue eyes and effemi-
nate cast of countenance, with the one
word that opens our sketch.
What would she have him do9
Too we'll the pale little bookkeeper
knew the backwoods code. 1t was his
duty to insist on an apology from the
bulky logger, or fog him for his inso-
lence. This Mark Farnham was not
able to do. He knew the man who had
insulted Janet as bully and hard pet
from near the dam. a village on the river
some six miles from Maple Top.
"There's no use having any trouble. -
said Mark. 'lf the fellow troubles YOU
Ngain I'll settle with him."
"Oh, the idea" exclaimed Janet. 81
think the next time go out in company
it will be with q man," and she turned
her back on the little bookkeeper and
began relating her troubles to a group of
girls near by. The "set" was disarrang ged
by the incident, and another couple was
called on to fill up the gap, and then the
dance went on as though nothing had
happened.
Mark Farnham noticed indignant
glances turned toward him by the back
woods lasses, and knew that the word
coward was repeated from to lip.
81 wonder if Janet would be better
satisfied if | should offer myself sacri-
fee on the alter of her offended dignity.
might get my head knocked off, but
what would be the use9 I'll see that
Dan and make him apologize, if l die the
Oext minute.n
But the book-keeper was not permitte d
the privilege of receiving thrashing for
Janet Lyons sake. A newcomer had
appeared upon the scene in the person OF
Richard Wellington, a magnificent
picture of muscular development, with
the dress and air of gentleman. He
was Lyon, Haight & Co. y foreman in
the great mill at Muskegon, and prime
favorite with the senior member of the
firm.
"The coward permitted that ruffiian,
River Dan, to insult me grossly It'll
be a long time before / am seen in his
company again, can tell you that, >
Janet was saying, as she passed the little
book-keeper leaning on the arm of Mr..
Wellington.
"Where is the fellow now9" questioned
Wellington.
''Never mind. I do not care to see
him again. Let it drop"
"But l will punish the scoundrel as he
deserves. No man shall insult you while
am around, janet"
''No, no, and the fair girl clung tC
the arm of her Apollo-like companion
sit is not your quarrel, Dick. shan
permit you TO make trouble now. / know
If you had been in Mark Farnham's place
you would have promptly knocked tht
ruffian down. was so ashamed of him
He is a little coward"
Again that word. 1t cut like knife,
and the palIid little book-keeper never
before felt his utter insignifcance as hc
did this night. He was glad when thu
dance came to an end But Janet wa
already tucked under the robes in Dicl
Wellington's cutter when Farnham wen
for her to ride back with him. Anothe
insult. The pallid cheek of the littl
bookkeeper held two spots of flame a
ho went alone to his cutter
''Goin past the dam, amt ye 2"
A stalwart form. in red shirt anC
overalls, loomed up before the book
keeper in the moonlight.
Farnham at once recognized the mai
who had caused him such extreme hu
initiation this night.
II am going past the dam, " admitted
Farnham.
"Alone |"
81 expect So"
"Mebbe you'd take passenger 2"
" Certainly; get IL.
The huge bully thrust himself unde
the robe. Farnham seated himself be
side him, and then they went spinning
away over the openings at rapi,
rate.
"Twas you with that high-strun
Lyon gal, Want ~
"Yes," admitted the book k-keeper.