The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-11-05
The HUNpREpTH MAN.


@Now, see here, my FRIEND said John
Proctor. his honest eyes looking grayely
into the tramp's fice, as he balanced
coin n the tip of his finger, no less than
six men, begging, have stopped me in the
street to day; while down there at the
yard"-indicating with his hand row
of tall lumber piles surrounding build
ing in the distance-"we haven't had
three applications for work in month"
TRY me-
DO you imagine you would work if
you had the chance? l have had a little
experience with fellows Of your SOFT"
The man retorted so sharply that one
could almost have fancied the poor rem
nant of spirit still abiding in him stirred
him to something like wrath.
That's always the way" he muttered.
@say We won't work; then won't give us
show. l know we're pretty loE down
lot. but some of US start out square
enough. Ifa man gets down there's 10
getting up again"
There was something almost pathetic
in his very sullenness, as he shufiied
away, his rags tapping in the strong
breeze, and ill-mated shoes elattering an
accompaniment to mis- gait.
Come back here will you ?"
John Proctors voice was stern and de-
cisive. The tramp halted, hesitated,
looked away, and then shufiled back
again.
"Come down to the yard this afternoon
and III give you job. But take this
and get filed up first"
The man did not Immediately extend
his hand to take the money. In the mo-
ment or two that elapsed the young lam
herman thought he detected trace OF
something allied TO resentful pride in his
bearing. But the illusion vanished as a
grimy hand closed greedily upon the sill
yer, and the fellow disappeared without
even troubling himself TO make any for
NAL expression Of his gratitude
/ John Proctor looked after him with q
/ quizzieal smile. Five minutes later he
knew his own name would be the toast
of a drunken crowd of losfers in the sa'
/ loon around the corner. To be sure, i
wouldn't help to advance a certain Quix
otic reputation which had attached itsel
TO him since his first advent in this little
Mexican town. But be steadily adhered
to his creed-grant that ninety-nine ou
of hundred of this population wer'
thieves and mendicants, he was wont t
say that he preferred to be victimized by
the ninety and nine rather than miss tn
hundredth man.
Proctor was deeply engrossed in max
ing out an order for several car loads o
finishing lumber, when a shadow dark
ened the door, and the tramp stood be
fore him. He could not repress an ex
eIamation of surprise. The yagabon'
observed it, and his face lowered as b
asserted himself defantly.
"Yes, I've come he said. "What ar
you going to give me to 90?
/ John Proctor put on his hat and wen
with him into the yard, where an empt,
car was waiting to be filed on an orde
from neighboring town. He showe'
the man a small piece Of paper tackled oil
the end, and was about to explain wher
he would End the material designated
when the fellow threw off his coat ans
deftly attacked pile of scantling, whicl
happened to be the first item on the iis'
"IIullo," said Proctor, gazing at him II
surprise, "you seem 10 know somethin
about this business"
"A little" returned the man, shortly.
The young lumberman took his wa
back to the office. A little later the rud
DIV visage Of his foreman, Maxon, looke'
in at the door as he returned from hi
dinner.
"Oh, 10y the way, Maxon, l have ne'
man at work out in the yard. You nigh
keep an eye on him.
aNow, Mr.. Proctor, exclaimed Maxo
in hopeless protest, lis It another of ther
fellows?'
"Nell, you see, he declared he wa
willing to work, and it seems only iair
give q man a chance"
The broad shouldered proprietor wa
avowedlx on the defensive.
@so far as am concerned, of cours'
it's nothing to me-" observed Maxon d'
iectedly. ~But it puts me out to see yo
made a laughing stock all over the tow
I,,s a shame-well, it's no use talking
yes YOU may depend on me keeping a
eve on him, sir. These fellows viii bes
watching. l say, though, Mr.. Procto
haven't you got mighty close to tbs
hundred ?"
Half an hour later Maxon looked
again, his face lit up with mischieyoG
smile.
"Don't you want to take look at yo'
new hand now, Mr. Proctor? He IS Ju
like the rest of them sitting on the lun
Der pile. all doubled up with pain
At six o'clock, when the hands can
up to receive pay for their days laoc
John. Proctor saw his protege standir
otFa little distance. The man made I
1 demand for wages and his employer toe
,.o notice of him. AS the men filed o
the agent of the Piumbago City train,
personal friend of Proctor's, came ru
ming into the Office with package in B
hand.
Here. Proctor, run. them over quic k
and sign this receipt It's the 5000 fro
Juarez & signor. haven't moment
8 spare
\ The luberman hastily counted I