Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-26


which, if he would come back, he should
have days work and be paid in cash
| for it."
THAT was proper; but did he explain
| why ne was in his present fix, or tell where
he came from?''
No. He only said that he had Just
walked into town about an hour before,
and didn't like to ask him anything. Oh.
yes; he inquired who lived in the white
| frame house on the corner, two blocks
down suppose he meant Mr.. Simpsons
place, and so told him. Well, your Simp-
son is a cold blooded snoozer,' he said i
stopped at his back gate, where he was
| feeding some pretty straight looking grub
to bench-legged dog, and asked him for a
handout. He threatened to set the dog on
me, and said if didn't get out of that he'd
have me locked up in the calaboose. l
didn't seem to move with sufficient CELEBRITY
to suit his nibs, so he hung a chunk of
wood at me, and it caught me right be-
| tween the shoulders. I'll get even with
Simpson, old man: you just turn rule
there"
Let US hope he will" remarked. did
| he help you out much?"
| well, should say so! He was back
/ from his dinner in half an hour. and the
way that fellow has been piling up type
since is a caution. He didn't want any
supper-and wasn't surprised, for 1 had
glanced at the meal ticket when he came
back from dinner. About O'Clock he
| borrowed a quarter from me, saying he
wanted to go out and get shaved. didn't
| say anything when he came back with all
his beard. for his breath beat him in. /
| guess he's out now paying for his telegram
with the rest of that quarter"
Hes character, Abe, there's no doubt
on that score And I rather like the ex-
perience. Have the cub go down and tell
| Steve to put up a double lunch for tonight,
and to make it as good as he can. Wemay
not have such royal guest soon again, SO
| let's give him banquet"
| Just then Freddy" entered the room.
and it wasn't necessary for him to say he
had found the telegraph office closed and
another place open. His eyes sparkled
and his step was buoyant. He was primed
| for big nights work-and he did it.
Everything went smoothly, and we got
the first side off at 1890. We got up a long
report of the Grassy Greek meeting, the
specials to the Star" were more numer-
Gus than usual, and didn't have to set
line. At O'Clock everything was up,
enough to fill without using line of dead
| with us before. Morgan called for a
"hump backed rule" and pitched in to
make up the first page When he was
ready to lock up he reached for the cigar
box filed with quoins.
| [Quoins are hard wood wedges made
with mathematical correctness in assorted
sizes and used for Tightening the types
! when IN the form" so that they can be
| handled as one piece of metal
| You haven't got the most complete
plant in the country, boys; but you're bet
ter fixed than a shop / struck up in Iowa
| last week.
| "How's that?" asked Abe.
"Why, when | asked for the quoins up
| there the spider legged rooster they called
| foreman grabbed a Ratchet and rushed
out the back door. In two minutes he
was back with a limb off of scrubby oak,
which he proceeded to chop and split up
| into small pieces. AS he placed about
half a cord of the chunks on the stone be
side me, he said: "Confound it'll I'll break
| that cubs back if he don't quit carrying
my plugs home for kindling woodi [ split
big lot of bully ones the other day
| Fact, boys"
AS soon as the forms were on the old
| Washington handpress l settled with
Freddy" AS handed him his money he
said to me:
| ''Say, boss, may | roll over on that pile
| of paper and get short snooze? l want to
take the boat for St. Louis today-it's easy
beating then1-and | need a little rest"
Certainly. You may lie down on the
| paper. But why do you hurry off? Better
stay while with u.s.
! Cant do it; I've pressing engagement
! in St. Louis, and | don't have to work
when I've got money. I'll be back this
way some day to pay fellow a grudge
owe him; but l can't stay now. What
time will boat be along?"
picked up sheet Abe had just pulled
and after consulting the river news said:
''The Tom Jasper, of the Northern line,
will be along about noon. That reminds
me that have TO be at the wharf when she
comes down; SO I'll see you"
| stepped into the "sanctum" to write a
letter wanted to send by private messen-
ger on the boat. Ten minutes after, when
passed through the work room, "Reddy''
was fast asleep on the pile of paper, despite
the racket made by the old press. Across
his chest lay large piece of cardboard, on
which he had written, in hand large
enough to attract the attention of the men
who worked on the weekly, Call me when
the Tom Jasper blows her horn.''
l was just finishing my breakfast, at
1870, when l heard a familiar whistle.
! ''There's the Mollie, and | must run down
| to her."
When | reached the wharf the Mollie
| McPike, stern wheeler at that time
known to every man, woman and child
| from ST. Louis to Keokuk, was just max
ing landing. A score or more of persons
were on the wharfboat and standing at
one side, with look of unutterable hatred
in his face, was "Reddy' Morgan. He was
glaring at a group of half dozen few
feet away. followed his gaze, and was
made somewhat uneasy to see that the
| most prominent figure of the group was Mr..
Simpson. l remembered 'Reddy's" threat,
and hurriedly stepped to his side, that
might try to restrain him if he should
make any open demonstration of the pas
sion that was so strong within him.
'Well, here you are, my tourist friend;
/! but you are ahead of time"
Eyes; couldn't sleep after 10 O'clock" he
muttered, without turning his head. 81
was knocking around up town when
heard this tub whistle, and as don't know
! their toots like you natives do thought it
was my boat. Say, there's my man over
therer'
Il see; but wouldn't make any trouble
here if were you His wife and little girl
are with him, and they would be badly
frightened if you attacked him."
do you mean TO tell me that pretty
| little yellow heades, girl is his child"
''She is That is little Mile Simpson, a
great favorite with half the people in town.
| ! replied.
Pm done: that beats me- Boss, maybe