The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-09-16

teriously until dis
lance blended them into one.
Back of it fiared the wide main street,
with stores and cottages Unfortunately
mingled, which marks the disconsolate
prairie town. Beyond, inclosed by
white picket fence, struggled tho desc
late graveyard.
The only thing in plenty which
nature supplied was room. There was
an abundance of space. 1t was quite q
walk to cross the street. Neighbors'
houses stood aloof. Nobody was
crowded, even in the graveyard.
The telegraph operator, satiated with
land.cape, leaned back, stretched him,
self prodiaiously, yawned audIbly and
collapsed in his chair, which creaked in
vexed remonstrauce. He tossed re-
mark over his shoulder, $50 this Is
what you are yearnin' for, Dave9"
Dave took his cane, and, limping to
the door, viewed the inertness in
silence. Then he reused himself and
said cheerfully:
"a telegraph operator is all I'm 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. 'Twouldnt
have hurt 'em none to keep you as 1
conductor" grumblcd his friend.
Suddenly the afternoon stiffness was
broken by excited voices and the sharp
barking and yapping of dogs. Jos
brought his feet to the floor in hurry.
II can't leave the machine, Dave. Gn
and see what the rumpus is about. ]
bet Brier Rose is up to somethin.' It
takes that there girl to stir up the boys.
No, Foxy" he said to his terrier, who
was whirling around in an ecstacy oil
anticipation, "you stay here. II Brief
Rose is at the bottom of it. a little
feller like you might get lost in the
shuttle
Dave obediently limped up the street,
where, in the midst of crowd of rough
men, stood a girl holding some little
animal high above her head, while the
dogs leaped and snapped around her.
The girl, with scarlet cheeks, begged
and scolded and threatened them all to
their infinite amusement.
Cell off your dawg, Jim," she said
fiercely to the owner of the largest,
whose leaps sometimes almost reached
tho quivering little object IN her hands.
"Throw down the beast an l will, -
he answered.
"If that there dawg gives anothe,
jump, III pizen him before sunup," she
said, slowly,
Jim made lunge ior the dog, and sat
on him to keep him down, while the
crowd hooted in dersion of his obedi-
encc.
whats all this" cried Dave, com.
ing up ana pushing jns way through
their midst.
"Brier Rose is being held up!' criet
voice.
The crowd yelled with delight. The
girls whole face became white with rage
as she singled out the speaker.
''Ioull pay for that, Ben Miles, a
You've paid before" che said.
''Call of those brutes," cried Dave
rapping the nearest dog with his cane.
'For shame, to tease a womanr'
"Look hyer, stranger, said
young giant, menacingly. He lowered
above Dave, who stood his ground.
sym lame and no account in a fight, ,
ssid Dave; "but half man amt goTn
to see woman tormented."
"Who in thunder" began hi
threatener; but Ben Miles laid hand OF
his arm.
"Hold on, Jim," he said; "tha
there's Dave Comstock, conductor {
the smashed up No. T."
t.Nnf tho follor that ~ok L,..l ..-:
the baby2"
"The same"
"Sho, stranser!' said the mollifie,
Jim.
"You're welcome TO interfere. CIV
us yer hand We wouldn't hurt her fe,
nothin'. Bless my stars! Brier Rose
can take care of herself better'n NOS
men,"
The dogs were ali held now, and tht
girl put her tired arms down. Sh,
looked curiously at the map, who's.
brave story she knew by heart, as sh'
Heard him defend her.
10 Uo sure, ouc IIau UCou IorCuu0u Uc'
fore; there was hardly a man wht
would not have risked his life to say,
hers, but they teased her numerically
when they got the chance. Dawes in
reference was on a new line. She dit
not quite understand i, but it appealed
20 her at once.
When Dave went back to the station
To tell Joe, the latter roared with de.
light.
"Just like her! Exzattly like her y
he cned, slapping his leg so inhumanly
that his lame friend WINGED for him.
"Who is Brier Rosel" he repeated, In
answer to Dawes question. "You don't
know much il you don't know old
Bryan's daughter. She's the best known
girl from Horseshoe Gap to Powder
erik. Old Bryan's been engineer or
the road ever since the track was laid
4 eyes she was then, as che is now
What wasn't eyes was temper. Sam,
now, savin' that new she bosses the boys
in addition to old Bryan. SIZE can run
an engine with the best OF EN-. Bryan's
taught her all the tricks, and he thinks
the sun rises and sets for just her."
"Strange she would defend a gopher,
when she's so hard On the boys" OBJ.
served Dave.
GSThat'a met ~ THAT pr;ar Dnon