River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-11

THE BOOkkEEPEls.
Coward!

Scorn fell from the full red lips ofJanet
Lyon.
She was the acknowledged belle OF
the Muskegon Valley, the daughter OF
the senior member of the firm of Lyon,
Haight X 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 at the same
time Of which We write was mere
village. with no railroad connection
with the outside world II was yet the
lumberpolis of western Michigan, and
rapidly growing in Importance.
II was at dance in log house near
Maple Top that Mark Farnham receiv-
ed the rebuke described. A great, hulk
ing logger had trCdden on the skirt of
Jsnet's cashmere and ripped it at the
waist. The logger merely said BLANK
the dress. and went or with his dane
ing.
The insulting puppy" exclaimed
Janet with flushed cheeks. And then,
minute later, she turned on Mark
Farnham, her escort, a little, pale-faced
fellow, with mild blue eyes and effemi-
nate east Of countenance, with the one
word that opens our sketch.
What would she have him do9
Too yell the pale little boookkeeper
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 a bully and hard pet
from near the Dam. village on the
river six miles from Maple Top.
There's no use having any trouble,
said Mark. IF the fellow troubles you
again I'll settle with him."
''Oh, the idear' exclaimed Janet.
Il think the next time 60 out in COM
pany it will be with a man." and she
turned her back on the little book
Keeper, and began relating her
troubles to group of girls near. The
set was disarranged by the incident.
and another compile was called on to
till up the gap, and then the dance
went on As though nothing had
happened.
Mark Farnham noticed indignant
chances turned toward him by the
backwoods lassies. ard he knew that
the word coward was passed from lip
TO lip.
II wonder if Janet would be better
satisfied if | should offer myself a
sacrifice on the altar of her offended
dignity? ! might get my head knocked
off, but what would be the use? I'll
see that DANTE and make him
apologize, if | die the next minute.
But the little bOokkeeper was not
permitted the privilege of receiving a
thrashing for Janet Lyons sake. A
newcomer had appeared upon the
scene in the person of Richard
Wellington, a magnificent specimen of
muscular development. with the dress
and air of a gentleman. He was Lyon,
Haight * Cos foreman in the great
mill at Muskegon. and Prime favorite
with the senior member of the
firm.
The coward permitted that ruilian
River Dan. to insult me grossly. It'H
be long time before am seen in his
company again, | can tell you that, y
Janet was saving As she passed the
little bOokkeeper leaning on the arm
of Mr. Wellington.
Never mind | do not care to see
him again. Let it drop
But | will punish the scoundrel a
he deserves. No man shall insult you
while am around, Janet"
mo, no" and the frail girl clung to
the arm of her Apollo-like com
panion. ut is not your quarrel, Dick.
| shan't permit you TO make trouble
now. | know if YOU had been in Mark
Farnhams place you would have
promptly knocked the ruliian down. i
was so ashamed of him. He is little
coward
Again that word Ii cut like knife,
and the pallid little boOkkeeper never
before felt his utter insignilicance As he
did that night. He was glad when the
dance came to an end. But Janet was
already tucked under the robes in Dick
Wellington's cutter when Farnham
went for her TO ride back with him.
Another insult. The pallid cheeks of
the little bookkeeper held two spots of
flame as he went alone to his cutter.
Com past the Dam, amt YEP
A stalwart form in red shirt and over
alls doomed up before the bookkeeper
in the moonlight.
Farnham at once recognized the man
who had caused him such extreme hui
initiation this night.
Il am going past the Dam, admitted
Farnham.
.Alone?"
Il expect So
"Mebbe you'd better take passen-
ger?"
Certainly; get in. !"
The huge bully thrust himself under
the robe. Farnham seated himself be-
side him. and then they went spinning
away over the the openings at rapid
rate.
Twas you with that high-strung
Lyon gal, wa MT it?''
Yes, admitted the bookkeeper.
''Shc locked mad enough when |
trod on her dress. Sich trails | don't
admire nohow. No sensible gal would
wear 'em to a dance; but then I've
been a thinkin' | didn't do the Squar'
lIiuE Au-ui-iAs ANps ~ WIFI Ou Stt
the gal agin, just tell her I'm sorry
tore her dress; didn't go for to do it
nohow. You'll tell herr
Farnham said that he would. River
Dan was garrulous, and did most of
the talking. aud the little bookkeeper
felt that under his rough manners the
giant riverman had good heart. after
all.
You see, I'd been takin' too many
drinks, was what allied me, cap. l
wouldn't Insult no respectable gal for
nOthin in the world. P"
The explanation and apology were
ample. and all this had come about
without bad blood. a 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 his journey to
Oxbow alone.
Mr.. Lyon made no mention of the
trouble at the dance TO his bookkeeper.
His daughter gave an account of her es-
cort's COW ardice. but the lumberman
failed TO take that interest his daughter
desired.
Matters went on after the old fashion.