News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-07-16
IKE BRENNAN'S WATCH.
BY AMELIA E. BARR.

D1 AMELIA e. bAhh.
eff you think your cousin is a scoun-
drel, young man, why, say the word,
If it's necessary to say anything. It's
mean to shake a mans good name
away with shake of your head
that's what | think"
Ike Brennan pushed back his Pana-
ma, and looked with anything but
approval at Lyman Sneed leaning, in
spotless fiannels, against the China
tree.
In spite of his dapper appearance
he was not a pleasant young man to
look at. He had that uncertain, ner-
vOus way, so Irritating to the honest
and purposeful, and it stood written
on his face that he had not loved a
living soul. No, not even the pretty
Mona Duval. whom he quit Ike to go
and meet. He thought he loved her
but no feeling that possessed him was
a more thoroughly selfish one.
His cousin, Dick Burleson, loved
Nona-that was quite sufficient to
make Lyman Sneed sure that she was
necessary to his happiness. So he
went eagerly now to meet her. Ike
watched him up the street, mutter-
ing:
"Of two evils, choose the least; but
I've alters noticed that women, of two
men, choose the worst; wonder if lit
tie Nona'll do that same thing? Her
father rode through many a darned
fight by my side-calculate I'll take
sides here-yes, sir. :"
He rose slowly, lifted his rife, and
went trailing up the hot avenue. He
was on the lookout for Dick, and
very soon found him among a lot of
rough teamsters who were loafing in
one of the pr. s.ncipal stores. Dick was
reading to them a New York paper,
and backing up his own side of some
political question with a good deal of
fervor. The men weraxpuliG@ their
boards and listenina<A ~ e
Texas phlegm -
sion.
Ike waited untr~sSsez :.
Dicks flowing periods, anc
"Thar, Dick, that'll do tOfTfe Dust
| ness of the United States; supposlng
YOU come now with me and look after
your own a spell"
1t was so unusual for Ike Brennan
to meddle in ones affairs that Dick
gave instant heed to his invitation; /;
and with a final broadside of splendid
adiectives for his own party, he
Joined Ike, and they sat down togeth-
er in the first quiet, shady seat.
Lyman Sneed is playing the mis-
chief with your good name, Dick.
It's against my habit to look after
anybody's but my own; but I've rea-
sons contrary this time"
"Lyman Sneed! He is, is he?" And
Dick instinctively put his hand on the
leathern sheath that held his knife.
"No tools, Dick, of that kind It's
me that is making this quarrel, you
know, and let nobody do my fight
ing"
"What did he say?''
"That is it; he says nothing you
can get hold of. Pities your uncle
pities Mona Duval-and is SO sorry
you will"
"What?"
''He don't say-shrugs his should
ers and shakes his head, and tn,
shrug and shake stand for drinking
gambling, anything you like to max
it."
, 'I'n tell Lyman Sneed-"
you'll say neither good nor bad
Dick. Lyman is like a pine coal
he don't burn, he blackens. Onl
; don't throw your chances away fo
T Lyman to pick up-that is just wha
a he wants you to do; give in a bit t
: the old man; he thinks all creation {
D YOU, and if you won't try to pleas
him, why, Lyman will, that's all
:, Pm not going to take my polite
: and my opinions from Uncle Jac
; Burleson, no, not for all his hog-wa
J. low prairie, and his cattle and gol
thrown i'll"
''He is an old man, Dick Life is
country Jack Burleson has gone pre-
ty thoroughly over; stands to re
D son he knows more'n you"
"a He contradlcts me half the tin
u, for the very sake of a fight. He do
n not go into court now, and he hasn
y, y, any lawyers or juries to bully. B
~ he won't make Dick Burleson ST
80 black is white to please him; you b
fs' he won't"
IN ''Dick, you're right; darned if "
. aren'tl But old Jack is wise al
good, and knows a sight more'n
:. writ in books. Say yes when y,
can"
"Sure."
D. "And don't you meddlein my figh
rse Dick. If Lyman Sneed needs hidi
s it | know just how much will be go
Mr. NT' for him"
my Dick saw the conversation was oy
,9s Sa and looking at his watch, saw, ais
hin that he was behind office hours.
gb9 the it happened, n number of trifes h
rise already irritated the old lawyer, u
Lyman's lifted eyebrows and ost,
tatious diligence irritated Dick.
eep flung his books upon his desk, dash
re. re- his hat in cOrnor, and lifted his fl
i. to comfortable altitude His
boots and loose flannel hunting-s -sh
ns gave his uncle great otfense, and
girl said SO.
foGy by Dick replied that she had been ta
was ing with the Lavacca teamsters, a
vas wa had forgot to dress.
'Iavacca teamsters. indeedl
- don't see what on earth makes Y
run after every drove that comes
town"
~ Il was getting their votes for
~ side, uncle, and making friei
against the day / want their votes
myself"
A flash of keen pleasure shot il
the old mans eyes, but he was far
full of fight to abandon the dispu
He first attacked Dicks politics, Il
his personal appearance and ahilit
without hninp cnnsrinns how nrnY