Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-09-09

prairie town. Beyond, inclosed by a
white picket fence, struggled the desc
late graveyard.
The only thing in plenty which
nature supplied was room. There was
an abundance of space. 1t was quite a
walk to cross the street. Neighbors'
houses stood aloof. Nobody was
crowded, even in the graveyard.
The telegraph operator, satiated with
landscape, leaned back, stretched him
self prodigiously, yawned audlbly and
collapsed in his chair, which cresked in
vexed remonstrance. He tossed a re-
mark over his shoulder, $50 this is
what you are yearnin' for, Dave"
Dave took his cane, and, limpng to
the door, viewed the inertness in
silence. Then he reused himself and
said cheerfully:
"a telegraph operator is all Pm good
fur since got hurt"
"Seems like the com'ny might have
done more for you when you got smashed
up in their own accident. 'Twouldn t
have hurt EN- none to keep you as u
conductor" grumbed his friend.
Suddenly the afternoon stiffness was
broken by excited voices and the sharp
barking and yapping of dogs. Joe
brought his feet to the floor in Il hurry.
al can't leave the machine, Dave. Co
and see what the rumpus is about.
bet Brier Rose is up to somethin.' 1t
takes that there girl to stir UP the boys.
No, Foxy" he said to his terrier, who
was whirling around in an tcstacy OF
anticipation, "you stay here. If Bricr
Rose is at the bottom of it, little
Teller like you might get lost in the
shuttle"
Dave obediently limped up the street,
where, in the midst Of crowd Of rough
men, stood girl holding some little
animal high above her head, while the
dogs leaped and snapped around her.
The girl, with scarlet checks, begged
and scolded and threatened them all t
their infinite amusement.
"Csll of your dawg, JIM" she sale
fercely to the owner of the largest
whose leaps sometimes almost reache,
the quivering little object IN her hands
Throw down the beast an | Will,
he answered.
"If that there dawg gives anothe
jump, I'll pizen him before sunup," sh'
said, slowly.
jim made lunge for the dog, and sa
on him to keep him down, while the
crowd hooted in derision of his oOeii.
ence.
whats all this" cried Dave, com
ing up and pushing his way through
their midst.
"Brier Rose is being held up!" erie,
a voice.
The crowd yelled with delight. TIT
girls whole face became white with ra3 ;,
as she singled out the speaker.
"You'll pay for that, Ben Miles, n
you've paid before" she said.
"Call of those brutes," cried Dave
tapping the nearest dog with his cane
"For shame, to tease a woman"
"Look a hyer, stranger said
young giant, menacingly. He lowered
above Dave, who stood his ground.
"I'm lame and no account in u fight,
said Dave; "but half man amt goinl
to see q woman tormented."
"Who in thunder" began hi
threatener, but Ben Miles laid a hand OIL
his arm.
"Hold on, Jim," he said; "tha
there's Dave Comstock, conductor c
the smashed up No. l."
"Not the Teller that got hurt savir
the babyl"
"The same"
"Shc, stranger" said the molife,
jim.
"You're welcome to interfere. Civ
US yer hand. We wouldn't hurt her fe
nothin'. Bless my stars Brier Ros
can take care of herself better mos
men,"
The dogs were all held now, aud tn
girl put her tired arms down. Sh
looked curiously at the man, who's
brave story she knew by heart, as sh
heard him defend her.
To be sure, she had been defended be
fore; there was hardly a man VIII
would not have risked his life to say
hers, but they leased her unmercifull
when they got the chance. Dawes il
reference was on a new line. She di
not quite understand it, but it appeale
to her at once.
When Dave went back to the static
TO tell Joe, the latter roarcd with dc
light.
"Just like heri E1zattly like her
he cried, slapping his leg so inhumanl
that his lame friend WINGED for him.
"Who is Brier Rosel" he repeated, i
answer to Dawes question. "You don
know much if you don't know oil
Bryan's daughter. She's the best know
girl from Horseshoe Gap to Powde
erik. Old Bryan's been engineer o.
the road ever since the track was laid
All eyes she was then, as she is now
What wasn't eyes was temper. Sam
now, savln' that now she bosses the boy
in addition to old Bryan. Size can ru
an engine with the best of EN-. Bryan
taught her all the tricks, and he think
the sun rises and sets for just her."
"Strange she would defend a gopher
when she's so hard on the boys" OF
served Dave.
"That's just it. That's Brier Rose
She's got more tame pets she's friend
Tier with every beast in Weepin' Willie
than with any of the boys. She ain
svea got head fur anybody but oil
Bryan; you notice l make no mention O
heart concernin' Brer Rose; l don
Ger TO talk of what aha amt vot-an,