Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-05-02

wandering for hours in the yellow, wine
like air of the mesa, he came in at noon
and nightfall always empty handed, yet
no one derided his failure. There was
something about the man that smothered
derision.
"a sort O thunderin' patience that
knocks fellow" Bert Fox put in.
Mrs. Brandt had always an encourag-
ing word for the weary looking hunter.
"Grea,ewood s bad for huntin'. Joel
says il don't pay to look for quail in the
brush when he does fetch 'em down."
Like enough. l dunno, ma'am.
Reckon I've had a good many shots at
the little wild critters, but they allus
turn their heads so kind O. innocent
like. A man as has been blowed up
oncet hisself amt much at separatin'
families. But l s'pose it amt the shoot
in that's healthy, mebbe ="
And so the hunting came to an end
without bloodshed. Whether the
doctors were right or whether it was
the mingled resin and honey of the
sage and chaparral, no one cared to
ask. Certain it is that the "pesterin'
cough" yielded a little, and the bent
form grew trifle more erect.
81 think likely it's the lookin' up,
ma'am. Mountains seem to straighten
a fellow some way. Pears to me some
body writ oncet NV liftin' his eyes to
the hills for help. Mebbe not, though.
l amt much at recolectin' verses.
Loisy s powerful land that way"
Perhaps the man was right. 1t was
the looking up.
He followed Joel from the table one
morning, stopping outside, his face full
of patient eagerness.
"Fm gettin' rig smart o strength,
neighbor Eff there's odd jobs you
could gi' me; I'd be slow, mebbe, but
seems like most ANYTHING 'ud be better
N this continual settin' round.
Joel scratched his head reflectively.
The big, brawny fellow felt no DISPOSE
ton to smile at his weak brother.
"Fox and was sayin' yesterday we'd
like to put another man on the ditch;
it'll be easy work for week, till we
strike rock again. Then there's the
grrasewool. It's always on hand.
You might take it slow grubbin' when
you was able. 1 guess We'll find you
BIS enough, man.
The SCARED, colorless face frightened.
"Thanh ye, neis Dor. IF you'll be as
kind, there's another little matter. I'll
hev trifle over when I've paid your
woman for her trouble. l wuz thinlin'
like enough you'd let me a run up a
>hanty on yer place here. Loisy
wouldn't mind about stylr-just roof
to bring 'em to. I's for her and the
boy, you KNOW" watching Joel's face
eagerly.
"Yes, yes, Brce, we'll make it all
right. Just take things kind O easy.
l'll be goin in with wood next Wee,
and I'll fetch you out load O lumber.
put u your house.
And S, Brice went to work on the
ditch, gently at first, spared from the
heaviest work by strong arms and rou III
kindlin, SIS.
And SO, ere long, another rude dwell
ing went up on the mesa, the blue
smoke from its fl eside curling slowly
toward the pine p uned mountain tol S.
The building fu d, scanty enough at
bst, was unexpectedly swelled by
sudden and obstinate attack of forget
fulness which seized good Mrs. Brandt.
"No, Brice, you haven't made me
spark of trouble, not a spark. Pm sure
you've paid your way twice over bring
in in wood, and grndin' coffee, and the
IL sl-
the half you've done, so Pm gettin' off
easy to call it square. And the good
lady stood her ground unflinchingly.
you've been powerful good to me,
ma'am. Well be watchin' our chance
to make it up to you-Loisy an me.
I'll lie sendin' for Losy direckly now.
Yes, yes, man, and there'll be the
bits O furniture and things to get.
Spread your money thin, and Mrs. Fox
and NELL come in and put you to rights
when you're lookin' for her.
He brought the money to Joel at last,
motley collection of gold and silver
pieces.
"Ef yell be SO kind as to send it to 'er,
neighbor-Mrs. Loisy Brice, Plattsville,
Indianny-Pve writ the letter tellin' her
how to come. There's enough fur the
ticket and trihe to spare. The boys
master hand at scuffin' out shoes an
things. You'll not make any mistake
sendin' it, will you?"
"No, no, Brice, it'll go straight as
rocket. Let me see now. The letterll
be a week, then lowing 'em week to
get started"
"Loisy won't be week startin', neigh
bor."
Never you mind, man. Lowin' 'em
week to get off, that's two weeks;
then them emigrant trains is slow, say
13 days ON the road-that's about an
other fortnight-four weeks; this is the
fifth, amt ii? Twenty-eight and five S
33; that'll be the third O next month
say. Now mind what tell you, Brice;
don't look for 'em q minute before the
third
spears like long spell to wait,
neiglbor.
Il know it, man; vi it'll seem a thun-
derin' sight longer after you begin to
look for 'em"
81 reckon you're right. Say four
weeks from to-day, then. Like enou in
you'll be goin' in. ="
"Ycs, We'll hitch up and meet 'em at
the train-yuu and me. The women II
have things kind o. snus again we get
home. Four weeks II soon slide along"
Joel went into the house smiling
softly.
II had to be almos savage with the
fellow, Barbara. The anxious sat 5 no
r,lucn for n ohm Like linn, il ii nnnr Lin,