Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-12-08
A SPASM OF ENERGY,

Steve hlrk was pursuing his usual avo-
cation. Now Steve claimed to be a fisher
man, but his method of procedure was not
rs laid down by Isaak Walton, for Steve
would bait his hook, throw it out into the
river, jab the end of the pole into the bank,
and then lie down in the shade and phi
Josephine.
Steve was long on philosophy and short
on energy. Not that Steve was lazy-men
OF his class are never lazy. But from some
cause never yet explained, they cannot find
the energy to begin work 1t takes more
energy to begin task than it does to COM
plete it. Steve had just enough energy to
do the work and none to spare in begin
ming it.
Steve lived in little cabin in small
clearing about half mile from the river
The nearness of the river, not the fertility
of the soil, was the consideration that
moved Steve to pitch his habitation where
he did. But truth compels the statement
that Steve did not do the clearing. He was
willing, but he conld not muster enough
energy to begin the work. So Mrs. Kirk,
assisted by her daughter Mirandy, felled
the papaw trees and cleared the under
brush. Under Steve's able superintendent
kind neighbors had rolled the logs for the
cabin, and thus the Kinks had a home.
Mrs. Kirk did not live long to enjoy it, for
the miasmic mist that arose in clouds from
the river was more than she could endure,
and she was soon asleep in "A grave on the
edge of the clearing within sight of the
humble cabin door. Mirandy-tawny
haired, supple and comedy Mirandy-took
upon her young shoulders the burden laid
down by her tired mother, and became her
lpE
panion.
She was only sixteen, but upon the little
clearing she raised enough corn for the
winters stock Of pone, and potatoes for
dessert. Wild plums and grapes served
for sauce, and enough were sold to supply
the simple wants Of herself and father in
the way of clothes.
The hogs that fattened on the nuts in
bluffs and the fish that persisted in hang
ing to the hook when Steve wound up his
line to 20 home furnished the supply of
meat.
II Mirandy ever longed for another
sphere Of life she kept her longings secret
II is not likely that she had any longings
Of the kind, for she was born in Just such
= cabin, in Just such clearing, on Just
such a river, in Just such a country And
amid these surroundings Mirandy was
living out her life of drudgery and igno-
rance.
EFT do appear tub me-" said Steve, as
with half closed eyes he watched his cork
floating on the placid surface of the slug
gish river, tibet things in this world amt
ekil." This was common result of
Steve's philosophical moods.
EFT do seem tn harder work tn poorer
gets"
Steve thought he was galley slave
That is, had Steve known anything about
galley slaves he would have thought so
SO Steve settled back after this bit Of
characteristic philosophy and dozed again
"Hello!" suddenly called a young man
who had appeared on the opposite bank.
us the fishing good around heref"
Steve mustered up enough energy To
open his eyes and assume a sitting posture
"Uhi" said he.
IT say, is it good fishing around herep'
Il reckon" said Steve, cautiously, "that
u air ez good round hyar ez IL air enywhar
Yer kyant ketch much fish, but it air q
good place ter set in ther shade an watch
yer cork"
The young man laughed and asked II
there was a way to Cross.
I'm course there air." said Steve. az
amt too deep ter wade, an ef yer erfrad er
gettin yer feet wet yer kin cross on the
foot log a small spell furder down"
II think prefer crossing dry shod,"
said the young man. He went to the foot
log and soon appeared by Steve's side. He
was handsome young fellow, dressed in
u hunting suit of corduroy, and carrying
9 silver mounted fishing rod and a breech-
loading gun. The two men gazed at each
other for a moment, the one with half
amused smile on his face, the other with
an expression Of indolent curiosity. Final
ly the young man asked.
do you live near heret"
"'Bout er half err mile back, =" said Steve,
jerking his head in the direction Of the
cabin.
The young man jointed his rod and bait
ed his hook, and his float was soon resting
in close proximity to Steveis. They fished
IN silence for few moments and then the
young man asked:
Rather q poor country to live in, is it
notf"
mot fur them as kyant get erway," said
Steve.
How long have you lived here"
-Four year"
why don't you move to a better coun-
tryf"
"Kyant, and don't wanter."
That's double reason"
Then Steve, thinking it was his turn to
ask few questions, sat up and began
questioning the stranger.
"Whar air ye frump
''St. Louis"
Watcher doin in these parts"
Taking my summer outing"
"Huhn
Taking my summer outing, vacation,
lay off; seei
The word LAY" had familiar sound
to Steve, and he thought he saw. So they
fished until the sun was low in the west.
Suddenly the young man remembered that
he was a stranger in a strange land, and
the matter of a nights lodging came up
in his mind for consideration. Turning To
Steve, he asked:
Say, do not care to sleep in the open
air tonight. Can you not give me bed
at your home if ! will pay you for the
troubleT