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


stiff 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 noU commonly
given to humorous perceptions OF
things, he saw in his daughters small
human assumption OF ignorance n
certain incongruity with the bleak
hills hedging the town, their tops fiat,
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 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 oye OF scorn. Among
the weathered cottages OF the town
it's yellow walls rose with great dignity
it's clear windows gay with pyramids
OF tomato cans, festooned in bright
prints and cotton laces.
With so 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
ct first blush had fought very shy OF
Paxton. He was "up No'th;" he adj
yertised; he was good-looking yell
lowish mustache barring his face like
q streak Of sunshine. The town de-
cided against taking stock in so in.
sidious O combination.
Paxton, however, kept right on. 1t
was a good point for country and
~ ,
apparently by natural methods and
without the vaguest effort.
His store included the postofIice and
stood some forty PAGES above Pax
toms. Time had breathcd long and as
dramatically upon the window panes OF
Fields sstorc, covering them with veil
of gray which effcctually concealed the
fact ofdust on the commodities behind
it. Inside were some boxes and barrels,
an odor OF tobacco, pot-bellied
stove, and Fields himself 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 Ken
lucky tAwh in which the war is con-
sidered " barely over and freshly dis
cussablc.
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 Wet DRY in isplumes.
Fields took his defeat calmly. He
took everything, even his whisky and
water, in that sort CT q way. He
seemed to lack a 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 as Louisa M. rushed up
tho store steps, he drew back with a
eense OF impending unpleasantness.
Say, Louisa NJ" he broke out in n
conciliating tone ~ saw yeh give Pax
ton the go.by. You're kindeh hard
on him, amt yeh?''
The girl flung her soft hat on the
counter and plunged into a chair.
"Oh!" she said. "pappy!-I've just
boon down to see the new boat land.
They sent an order 10 him for some.
thing they'd run out of. lcan't stand
i'll won't!-tlat man coming down
here and taking everything and doin,
you out OF your rights and-oh!"
Eli gasped n little, tossing her hair
with an excited hand, hereycs strange
w blue in tho darkness OF her vivid
littleface.
Fields jaw assumed an amiable
laxity.
Don't tfko on So" liz said, 81
hain't got nobody but you, and ]
reckon I got enough laid by to keep us.
I'd kindah like TO quit business my
how, and hev . garden and raise
things. Course ! s'pise TO zee my
old friends e.chnsina into Paxton's
ito but ( a-coonplaio:n.' He