Iron County register., 1886-09-30
at the hook-keeper saw that he bad re-

at the book-keeper saw that he had re-
sumed work with a conscious look.
Joefs face was flushed, and once OF
twice he acted as if he were going to
speak; then he put on his hat and went
out.
Without looking back John Earling
strobe up the street with set teeth
and walked into the law-office of Bowes
& Woodman. Judge Bower. a tall,
benignant looking man with moist
fair skin and sandy hair, was nodding
over newspaper, while his partner, a
little unkept and greasy of apparel, but
with keen amber-colored eyes, sharp
hooked nose, long, slightly retreating
forehead, long, claw-lfke fingers, SUNK
en- cheeks, chewing nervously and spit
ting momentarily, sat writing vigor-
ously at table. He looked much like
some old and rusty eagle as he sal
there, the most powerful advocate al
the region. He did not look up to see
who had entered, but spit quickly and
without much regard to the direction.
''Sit down. he said, with kind OF
gutteral jerk. and continued driving
his pen across the paper III a maze OF
dizzy hieroglyphics. Judge Bower
looked up with a sleepy. pleasant salu-
tation, and requested the new conner to
be seated.
But John Earling remained standing
with his hat in hand, and directing his
query toward Judge Bower asked il
they could furnish him with something
to do.
'Why, I don't know" said Judge
Bower, laying down his newspaper,
1--WE have good deal of writing, per-
haps we might do something for you. :"
Old Woodman, as he was familiarly
called, turned his head over little
and glanced at the fine looking, clean
cut youth without staying his pen.
whats the matter with the store?"
SAID he as he wrote.
II have been dismissed" said John
Earring.
Judge Bower moved about in his
big chair, and Woodman laid down
his pen and stretching out his legs be-
fore him ran his hands down deep into
his pockets and set his grizzly chin
against his chest. He looked keenly
at the youth. ''What was the troublep"
he asked.
81 would prefer not to explain il
wholly. sir. 1t was not because L was
dishonest"
''It was the other fellow that was
wasn't it?''
(Which? DO you mean the young
man who was discharged this morn.
ing?"
mo; the big one-Joel!''
John Earling hesitated a moment, then
hn
kind to me. | would rather not think
or speak of him in any other than a
grateful way. | owe him three years
of service yet, sir, and as soon as l can
l wish to pay it. y
The old lawyer scratched his grizzly
jaw, spit quickly. glanced at his part.
ner, and said: ''Well, [ guess we can
set you to work. Don't think you will
get rich, but it will keep you from
starving"
He got up, whirfed table against
the wall, threw a lot of legal-cap upon
it, laid some documents by the paper
and wheeled up a chair.
"Now, young man. he said, 'whale
it to it,
John Earring smiled and thanked
him and sat down and began copying
the documents rapidly. Woodman sat
down, threw his legs upon a table,
thrust Il cigar into his mouth and said:
"Now, Bower. l guess I'll smoke"
John Earling continued writing
through the remainder of the day. The
others came and went. In the even
ing the mild-mannered Bower said:
'' MIR. Earling, you can go to supper
whenever you choose"
"Young man." broke in Woodman
''have you been to dinner to-day?"
"No, sir,' said John Earring, 81
forgot it."
Old Woodman glanced at the judge
and eNpectorated in most emphatic
manner.
4 would be glad to have you come
with me to tea," said Judge Bower,
s. L am just going now.'
"Thank you, SIR said Earling, 81
then he broke oil. He seemed
not to have thought of his altered re-
latioEs with Joel Whitney until then.
g had not thought of where l should
live," he said, with smile. Then,
after a few moments: would you
pardon me, sir, if | asked if your
kindness might be considered as
charity?'
Certainly not, certainly not" said
Judge Bower. Il should be glad of
your company"
They arose and went out. Old Wood
man closed one of his eyes very tight
and -kSought his fist down upon the
table with Il crash. Fire! snap! grit!
there's fighter for you!'' he said.
What handfuls of hair he would
bring awayr' then he leaned back in
his chair and scratched his jaw. ''Cool.
proud, and sharp as razor!
Ought to be a lawyer! L-e-e-tle too hon
est, though, I'm 'fraid. But what hair
le would bring away. Snum! snum!
what h-a-i-r"' and the old lawyer thrust
his hand out before him like claw and
erked it back rs if he had divested an
adversary of his scalp.
CHAPTER K.
The home of Judge Bower lay back
along the ridge; large, plain, home
ike brick house. fianked on the one
land by an immense flower-garden,
md on the other by lawn and long
In front was velvet
sweep of smooth, close-shaven sward
'prinkled with native oaks, and be-
ween two of these large swing.
John Earling felt it very cool and
pleasant as he walked up among the
rees and into the tasty parlor, and the
ceiling came across him. rather than
he thought, of what distance lay be-
ween himself, a youth without pros
,ects and worse than penniless. and
uch possessions. Mrs. Bower came
Onward and greeted him with a
pleasant smile, and with her was a
title maiden of perhaps fourteen sum-
ners, who bowed demurely to him.