The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-05-28
A BIT OF DRIFT.
BY HESTER STUART.

A BIT OF DRIFT.
BY HESTER STUART.
"Brutus Cassius banks! Are you go
ing after that water Or do you expect
the spring to come to you?"
The man thus pointedly addressed
slid slowly down from the fence where
he was sitting, whiting, closed his
huge jackknifc by pressing its point
against the rail, and shambled toward
Inc house.
The woman in the doorway watched
his leisurcly approach with an express
sion curiously mingled of Indifference
and irritation.
A small. STOPPING figure, with weak
slope to the chin and shoulders; the
aaccid face with a fringe of hay-colorcd
beard, and surmounted by sunburned
straw hat; the loose, unshapely clothes
which seemed to have adapted them.
selves to the wearer's habit of mind
was this the pink-cheeked, trim young
fellow who courted her fifteen years
ago?"
Il was thinkin', Malviny," he said,
taking the pail from her outstrctched
hand, THAT ketch of fish would taste
kinder good. We've had mush pretty
stiddy lately"
cit amt my fault, said the woman,
shortly.
mo! s'posc it ain't," he rejoined
slowly, as though the fact occurred to
him for the first time.
just then little tow headed girl ran
round the corner of the house.
'Where are you goin', daddy?" she
called.
down to the spring. Want to go,
Capitola?" he answered.
She looked lovingly at him with her
china-blue eyes, slipped her grimy little
hand into his. and trudged of beside
him.
The woman stood on the doorstone
looking after them. '.They are we'll
mated" she thought bitterly. Zone
has about as much idea of getting a
living as the other"
She had not lacked warnings years
ago; for Malvina Frost, with her slim,
straight figure and swapping black eyes,
was the ikeliest girl in town; and
mothers of marriageable sons had not
hesitated to enlarge in her hearing upon
the 'Danks shiftlessness, reinforcing
their own opinions by sundry old pro-
verbs, such as "What's bred In the bone
will come out in the fesh," and Like
father, like son." But Malyina only
tossed her black curls, and went her
own way.
So one June they were married. and
went to housekeeping in little house
on the bank of the Ohio; and Melvina,
in the strength of her youth and love,
felt able to move mountains, but she
found the gravitation of inherited shift
lessness too much for her.
He had done we'll for a time. The
little cottage was neatly fixed up, and
when a year after the first baby came,
tho young father, with his own hands,
fashioned for it a cradle that was the
wonder and envy Of the neigllborhood.
But heredity was too strong for him,
and though the cradle had six success
i've occupants, its first coat of paint
was never renewed. Mrs. banks had
never heard of Sisyphus. If she had
she would have found her task very
much like his, with the exception that
hers was infinitely harder and more
hopeless.
What was itp Mental or moral OF
physical weakness, or all threep Or
an evil fate, that whatever he turned
his hand TO Immediately failed? Even
his name seemed an unkind fling OF
fortune. His mother having attended,
shortly before his birth, the perform.
ance of some strolling actors, was Sc
much impressed that the name Of
Brutus Cassius was waiting for him
when he arrived upon the stage where
he was to play SO insignificant part.
It was seldom, however, that he had
the benefit of his full name, for the
community in which he grew up de.
lighted in authorizations. But even
heir rough familiarity hesitated to call
man "Brute" to his face, so he was
dubbed ''Cash,' perpetual satire up.
On him who rarely lad any cash in his
-,ocket. Against all these odds Mrs.
Oanks had fought a good fight; but in
he struggle her straight back had been
sent, and the snap had gone from her
eyes to her voice.
Somehow the load pressed heavier
han ever this morning. 1t might have
ocen because it was early spring,
and the air was full of that indefnable
sense of expectancy, that vague hint Of
rejuvcnation. a rejuvenation that would
touch everything except the banks for
tunes: And perhaps it was because the
Jour barrel was empty, but whatever
he cause, Mrs. DanEs turned from the
doorway thoroughly wretched.
Half an hour later Mr.. banks saun-
tered in with the water, the child fol-
lowing with u string of two or three
fish.
Setting tho pail down, he said in a
deprecating way: II hev about en-
cluded to take up with Badgers offer,
and 60 up to Cooperville.
She made no answer, and he contin-
ued: III anythin' sh'd happen. Icould
'Oh. vest" she answered, ..you could
come home easy enough"
The man WINGED, and his sallow face
Redeemed.
IL don't s'posc I'm master hand at
gettin' livin'. but tell you Malviny,
fate is agin me. just as got a job
across the river that fclon come on nv
finger, and when had chance on the
bridge, ont of twenty mon. was the
only one the derrick hit when it fell.
You didn't ought to be castin' 1t up
agin me that he'd to come home; it's
fate.'
Call it by what name you like" she
answered bitterly, ''it's made an old
woman OF me before my time"
lie made no reply. but went out on
the doorstonc. where the little girl
joined him, and presently his wife heard
him say:
sorry?'
Real sorry" said tho child; adding,
"What'll You bring me daddy?"
"How sh'd We like string Of beads?"
he asked. after some elaboration.
'.Rl.le bcadsp'' cried tina child thon