The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-12-03


n the corner, the
stif river breeze blowing about her
face certain stray locks OF the soft,
short hair under her beaver hat.
She had looked very sweet to Fields,
coming in sight against the tall Cum
berland cliffs. 1t seemed to him that
she had been smiling, but he surmised
this from the change which struck
across her face upon passing Paxton's
store. Her very coat-collar stood
about her ears aggressively, and
though Fields was not commonly
given to humorous perceptions OF
things, he saw in his daughters small
human assumption OF ignorance a
certain incongruity with the bleak
hills hedging the town, their tops flat,
as II they crouched to keep their bald
heads from striking the hard autumn
nal sky.
"Look like thar's something that
TELLER amt Citing, il trade is q whoop-
ing his way" considered Fields, star.
ing toward Paxton's store, which oc-
cupied the river corner just above the
landing, at which Nashville boats
stopped on their way to the head OF
navigation. 1t was new building,
that store, which in Fields old age
had risen to place his own commercial
merits in the eye OF scorn. Among
the weathered cottages of the town
It's yellow walls rose withgreat dignity
ito clear windows gay with pyramids
OF tomato cans, festooned in bright
prints and cotton laces.
With 80 many odds in his favor it
was natural enough that things should
be going Paxton's way. His way in
deed meant ~adicalism and reform,
and all the rash ventures OF young
blood and unlocked ideas. The village
at first blush had fought very shy OF
Paxton. He was 'up No'th;" he adj
yertised; he was good-looking, q yell
lowish mustache barring his face like
a streak OF sunshine. The town de-
cided against taking stock in SO in.
sidious combination.
Paxton, however, kept right on. It
was q good point for country and
river trade. Fields had made money,
apparently by natural methods and
without the vaguest effort.
His store included hepostoffice and
stood some forty PAGES above Pax
tons. Time had breathcd long and as
dramatically uponthe window panes OF
Fields s'storc, covering them with veil
of gray which, effectually concealed the
fact of dust on the commodities behind
1t. Inside we're some boxes and barrels,
IN odor of tobacco, n pot-bellied
stove, and Fields himself O. slow man
In his fiftics.
With these superannuated attrac-
tions Paxton felt he could scarcely fail
OF successful competing, il only he
could hold out long enough to win the
towns confidence. But confidence is
not an easy thing to win in n Ken
lucky ttwh in which the war is con-
sidered Is barely over and freshly dis
cussable.
1t took Paxton several months to
down the native conservatism, but
once the first wariness of the burgers
was overborne, they gave way on q
sudden to the delight OF getting better
things for less money than Fields had
charged, aud Paxton found an unex-
pected victory in his plumes.
Fields took his defeat calmly. He
took everything, even his whisky and
water, i'm that sort CT way. He
seemed to lack q capacity for any
kind OF action, and it was n common
wonder as to where that girl of his,
that Louisa NJ, got her spirit.
For her Spirit commanded instant
recognition. Fields himself stood in
awe OF it, and rs Louisa NJ. rushed up
tho store steps, he drew back with a
sense Of impending unpleasantness.
Say, Louisa NJ, he broke out in a
conciliating tone II saw ych give Pay
ton the go-by. You're kind-eh hard
on him, amt yeh'"
The girl flung her soft hat on the
counter and plunged into a chair.
"Ohl" she said. "pappy!-I've just
been down to see the new boat land.
They sent an order to him for some.
thing they'd run out of. Ican't stand
itl / won'ti-that man coming down
here and taking everything and dom,
you out OF your rights and-ohl"
Eli gasped little, tossing her hair
with an excited hand, her eyes strange
w blue in tho darkness OF her vivid
little face.
Fields jaw assumed On amiable
Isxity.
Don't tsko on So" hs said. ~
hain't got nobody but you, and
reckon l got enough laid by to keep us.
I'd kindah iiks to quit business any
how, and hev = garden and raise
things. Course I s'pise to zee my
old friends e-chasina into Paxton's
,to . but ( a-conplaiu:n.' He