Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27
TIE BOOKKERPER.

-NO< N%<-
voice, and the little bookkeeper reeled and
shrank under it. He felt bis insignifcance
then, if never before. Why could he not
be a man among men? He had uttered
this question mentally hundred times
but he never felt his littleness as he did
that night when that one word of con-
tempt and scorn fell from the 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 a child of fashion,
but a strong, healthy child Of the pine
woods. Muskegon was the end of the
world to her, and ct the same time of which
We write was mere village, with no rail
way connection With the outside world.
1t was yet the lumberopolis of Western
Michigan, and rapidly growing in import
ance.
It was at dance in Lighthouse near Ma
pie Top that Mark Farnham received the
rebuke described. A great, hulking logger
had trodden on the skirt of Janet's cash
mere and ripped it at the waist. The logger
merely said, Blank the Dress" and went
on with his dancing.
The insulting puppyp exclaimed ia
net, with flushed cheek. And then, min
ute later, she turned on Mark Farnham.
her escort, little, pale-faced fellow, with
mild blue eyes and effeminate cast of coun-
tenance. with the one word that opens our
sketch
What would she have him to do2
Too well 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 insolence. This Marx
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. If that fellow troubles you
again I'll settle him.
Oh, the idea !n exclaimed Janet. " /
think the next time go out in company it
will be with man." and she turned her
back ON the little bookkeeper and began re-
lating her troubles to group of girls near.
The & set I" was .disarranged by the Incl
dent, 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 the indignant
glances turned toward him by the back
woods lasses, and knew that the word cow
ard was passed from lip to lip.
wonder If Janet would be better sat
isfed if l should offer myself sacrifice on
the altar of her offended dignity | might
get my head knocked off, but what would
be the use2 I'll see that DANTE and make
him apologize, if die the next minute"
But the little bookkeeper was not per-
mitted the privilege of receiving thrash
ing for Janet Lyons sake newcomer
had appeared upon the scene in the person
OF Richard Wellington, a magnificent speci-
men OF muscular development, with the
dress and air of gentleman He was
Lyon. Haight Il Co.'s foreman in the great
mill at Muskegon, and prime fayorite
with the senior member of the firm.
The coward permitted that ruffian,
River Dan, to insult me grossly. TIN be
long time before am seen in his COM
pany again, can tell you that Janet was
saying, as she passed the little bookkeepsr
leaning on The arm of Mr. Wellington.
Where is the fellow now" questioned
Wellington.
Never mind. / do not care to see him
again Let it Drop"
But ! will punish the man as he de-
serves. No man shall insult you while
am around Janet"
No. no. and the fair girl chung to The
arm of her Apollo-like companion. at
is not your quarrel Dick | shant permit
you to make trouble now. know if you
had been in Mark Farnham's place you
would have promptly knocked the ruffian
down. was so ashamed of him He is
little coward"
Again that word 1t cut like knife,
and the paliid little bookkeeper never be-
fore felt his utter insigniheance as he did
that night. He was glad when the dance
came to an end. But Janet was already
ftnptrai f1nlpr fho rf,l,ou in
tons cutter when Farnham went for her
to ride back with him. Another insult.
The paliid checks of the little bookkeeper
held two spots of fame as he went alone
to his cutter.
" Coin past the Dam, amt yep
A stalwart form in red shirt and over
alls doomed up before the booAkeeper in
the moonlight.
Farnham at once recognized the man
who had caused him such extreme humii-
iation this night
am going past the Dam" admitted
Farnham.
Alone ~
a expect So"
"Mebbe you'd take a passenger
9 Certainly. Get in
The huge bully thrust himself under the
robe. Farnham seated himself beside him,
and then they went spinning away over the
openings at rapid rate.
Twas you with that high-strung Lyon
gal. wa'n'tit?n
Yes admitted the bookkeeper
She looked mad enough when trod on
her dress. Sieh trails | don't admire no
how. No sensible girl would wear 'ein to
dance. But then I've been thinkin I
didn't do the squar thing tonight, Cap, SO
when you see the gal agin, jest tell her L M
sorry tore her dress; l didn't go for to do
it no how. You'll tell her?"
Farnham said he would. River Dan was
garrulous and did most of the talking. and
the little bookkeeper felt that under his
rough manners the giant river man had q
good heart after ALL
" You see, I'd been takin' too many
drinks was what allied me, cap. wouldn't
insult no respectable gal for nothin' in the
world
The explanation and apology were am pie.
and all this had come about without bad
blood, q row, and bloody faces On the
whole, Farnham felt that he had pursued
the wisest course after ALL
The little bookkeeper left River Dan at
the Dam, and finished the journey to Ok
bow alone.
Mr.. Lyon made no mention of the
trouble at the dance 10 his bookkeeper.
His daughter gave an account of her es-
cort's cowardice, but the lumberman failed
to take that interest his daughter desired.
Matters weEt.on after the old fashion.
Mark Farniam bad been a frequent visitor
at the Lyon house, but since the dance at
Maple Top he had held himself aloof.
The little bookkeeper had been hurt in a
tender spot, and he could not forget how
Janet looked when she uttered the word
coward.
The foreman came often to Oxbow. and
Janet and the handsome Apollo were much
together The loggers coupled the names
of the two, and inlimsfed that Dick would
feather his nest before long. The little
bookkeeper heard, but remained silent.
He could not discuss subject that was of
most painful nature to him. He be-
heyed Janet cared something for him until
that affair nj the Manila Tor, dar,ca Irrl,.,.