Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-01-30

'I'm sorry, Kelfer-I am. indeed!"
said Jaycox, as he spoke the young oper-
ator's doom.
"Thank you!" said Roderick, slowly.
~ suppose it can't be helped"
"l'ye no fault to find with you," went
On the superior.
THAT won't help me to another
place." said Keller, still looking blank
II out toward this distant peaks of the
Rockies.
"Any reference that you may de-
sire"
THANK you." again spoke Rodsrick
"But don't know that references will
be especially useful tony fathers son!
When does the new operator Gomez"
"To-morrow, I suppose. shall com
municate with her tonight. It's that
Miss Minton from Valley Curve. It's
lonesome place for a woman, but I sup
pose she'll bring up her old aunt with
her, and she's used to that sort of thing.
They tell me she's first-class operator;
but, all the same, Keller, I'm rightdown
sorry to part with YOU
'Is il trIe?" said old Andrew Keller
My boy turned out of his place! And
all along o me!"
Eyes, all along O you," said Mrs.
Keller, rocking herself back and forth
in the extremity of her distress. II knew
it would come some time. And now l
hope you are satisfied"
'Rody's a good boy" said the old
man, vaguely. "He never Jaws he,
Rody don't. I amt allays on the
straight, but Roiy amt one to nag"
" Cause he knows it won't do no
good" said the old woman, still vehem-
emily rocking herself. CAL the same,
you hadn't ought to go scot-free. You're
a sofa regular topper! You're disgrace
to the Mountain"
you shut up!" inarticulately NUT
tered Keller. ''Lemme understand it.
Rody turned out, and new hand put in
his place."
eyes, just that" sbrilled the old
woman. "And all your fault, Andy.
My Rody-and the best boy as ever was!
And we may all starve in heap now,
since they've took the flag away from
you"
ats a conspiracy" growled the old
man. "That's what it is-a conspiracy!
was drunk; I own it. The Kelfers
don't lie. But that amt nothin' against
Rody. He's good boy. He amt ever
lastingly pickin' on me. And look ye,
Mirandy, there shan't no operator work
the machine on Hornet Mountain but
Rody Kelfer-not as long as Pm livin',
company or no company! Where's my
supper?" he added, suddenly and sharp
ly.
"There amt no supper, and there
won't be till you go out and dig the
potatoes"
II won't dig no potatoes2" snarlad
old Andy, as he rose and shufled out Of
the cabin.
His wife, bound relentlessly down by
the iron clamps of rheumatism, looked
piteously after him.
Its bad lookout" said she, aloud,
''and don't blame Roderick for getting
discouraged"
1t was nine o'clock at night. The
great blazing stars show like lamps iii
the dry, clear western heavens.
The bark of the coyote sounded across
the hills, and Mrs. Keller sat hel pless in
her splint-bottomed rocker, when the
door opened and tall, slight figure came
in with swift, light steps.
"1Iatty!" she cried out. 'Is it you,
Matty? The Lord be thanked! He has
sent you to my help this night!''
sHYhat for?" said Matty Minton, rosy
and breathless with the climb up Hornet
sleeps. ooh, Mrs Keller, I've come to
tell you that [ won't take Roderick's
place-not if the salary was a million
dollars year and me and Aunt Putney
starving! Do you think I'm as base as
that? No. ia go back and beg my
bread in the East before I'd do that.
But"
''Matty, isten" cried Mrs. Keller,
pale and painting. "Don't tell you that
the Lord has sent you here? Andrew :
worse'n common to-night-oh, a deal
worse!" with a quick catching of her
breath; ''and he's got it in his head that
Rody's turned out and new hand has
took his place, and he's SUNK up the hill
with can O kerosene oil and box O.
lucifer matches to set the place on fire
and it's Just the time my poor boy turns
in for his four hours sleep. On, ny
God! and me a-settin' helpless here ike
an old decayed log! Run, Matty-run.
you're young and quick, and-and-"
The girl sprang to her feet.
GLOW long is it since he left here"
she asked.