Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-03-12

cried tho shopman, sharply, as he
scanned Jim's battered appearance.
"Will yer give me yam ov them little
uns, guv'nor? I'm nigh clemmed;" and
he nodded toward the bread-pile. 3..'
mo, certainly not; never give to
beggars or tramrs" ..,@l,., +
"I've not tasted bite nor sup this
blessed lay, God knows"
Cant help that! Come, get out Of tho
shop-do you hear?-or I'll set the con-
stable on to you. The likes Of you ought
not to be allowed to go about the coun-
try. Come, off with you'll" -
80 the social outcast went forth
into the night hungry and in
suited, and the sleek tradesman
rubbed his hands and struck his loaves,
congratulating himself the while on his
refusal to countance worthless vaga-
bond who, regarded from the lofty
standpoint of political economy,
had no right to live on the earth. And
yet Mr.. Jonathan Binner was want to
pose on political platforms as the
Heaven-seat champion Of the masses.
Then, indeed, his sympathy flowed out
in such mighty torrent towards the
universal brotherhood of man that there
was not so much as drop left to give
crust or even civil word to a starving
tramp at his door.
Three times did Jim try his luck down
the length Of the village street, with no
better success; and then he gave it up
and bitterly left the houses of his
fellow-creatures behind him and
faced the bleak open country again.
He dragged himself along for q few
weary miles, then opening q gate.
crawled into half-ruined cowshed and
flung himself down upon some bracken
and straw litter in the farthest corner,
and dozed off. When he woke up, the
moon had risen, and was shining in
through the chinks of the roof, and Jim
could see the countryside was white
with snow. He shivered, and buried
himself completely in the braoken and
tried to sleep again and forget the cold
and his hunger. He had almost suo-
ceeded, when the sound of voices came
to him on the still night-air, and a
minute later three men entered the
shed.
Curse the coldv growled one as he
drew back just within the shadow.
Curse him, you mean," said another,
as he leaned thick oak cudgel against
the wall and began to blow upon his
numbed fingers.
'Pll do more than curse him when
tn time comes," answered the first
speaker.
"Ay, he'd best not have taken US T.
hand. Says he, when with the rest Of
t. beaks he sentenced Tim and jeff:
The poaching rascals shall be stopped,
if have to do it single-handed'
swell, he'll be single-handed tonight
anyways, for he's no groom wi him. So
he can try what he's good for wi three
ov US; Ell, Jack?"
He'll find it tough job, I'm think
ing"
'Is t'wire right, Bob?"
''Surely His mare steps high; but
I've lowed for it. and she'll catch beau
tifully. It's past twelve now; he
oughtn't to be long"
''Hist! mate; there's wheels. Now
fort. Come on"
The three men went out quickly, and
Jim following to the door, saw them
leap into the road and hide in the hedge
on the opposite side; then he stole down
to the gate, out of mere curiosity to
watch what their game was. In few
minutes the ring of hoofs grew louder,
and q high-wheeled dog-cart spinning
round corner came rapidly down the
lane. 1t was occupied by one figure
only, the red glow of whose cigar
CLEANED in the frosty air; and just as
the scent of it reached Jim he saw the
horse suddenly plunge and stagger for
ward. The wire-snare had done its
work, the animal fell heavily, and the
driver, thrown of his balance by the
shock, shot out on to the snow. Before
he could rise the men were upon him;
but somehow he managed to shake them
clear and struggle to his feet. He faced
them boldly, and met their rush with a
right and left handler which sent one to
ground, but the other two closed in up-
on him.
Jim looked on with languid interest.
Evidently it was some magistrate way
laid by three men who had score to
settle against him. It was no business
of his, anyway, and though three to one
was hardly fair, he was not going to in
terfere. The gentleman fought we'll,
whoever he was, and again sent an as
sailant backward with y well-got-in
blow. But the odds were too heavy and
the cudgels told. He began to stagger
and give ground, and blow on the head
beat him down. ''Give it him, lads, if
we swing for IT," cried the tallest of the
three villains, jumping upon him, mad
and blind with rage.
A ray of moonlight fell upon the up
turned face Of the fallen man; it was
that of the gentleman who five years
ago had talked with Jim in the lane!
In an instant he was over the gate and
at the men like tiger-cat, and so sud-
den was his onset that they gave
ground; then, seeing he was alone, they
rushed at him with oaths and threats.
Weak from want of food and hall
dead with cold, poor Jim had
never a chance. For few Sec
onds he held up doggedly against
the shower Of blows; then feeling he
was done for, stopped suddenly, flung