Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-02-01
Through 6 Santa CIaraWheat
By FRANCIS BRET HARTE

OtseZe that swept through it. At
one end was small blacksmith's forge
some machinery and what appeared 70
De part of a small steam engine. Mid.
way OF the shed was a closet or cnn-
board fastened with large paddock
occupying its whole length on the other
sue was a work bench, and at the fur.
ther end stood the workman she had
heard.
He was apparently only a year or two
older than herself, and clad in blue lean
oyeralls, blackened and smeared with
oil and coal dust, Even his youthful
race, which he turned toward her, had a
plack smudge running across it and al
most obliterating a small auburn mus.
tache. The look of surprise that he gave
her, however, quickly passed. He re-
malned patiently and in half preoccu.
pied way holding his hammer in his
hand as she advanced. This was evil
IDENTIFY the young fellow who could do
anything that could be done with wood
and iron"
Sne was very sorry to disturb him, but
could he tell her how long it would be be-
fore the wagon could be brought up and
mended? He could not say that until
he himself saw what was to be done.
If it was only matter of a wheel he
could fix it up in few moments; if. as
he had been told, it was case of twisted
or bent axle it would take longer, but it
would be here very soon. And then
would he let her wait here, as she was
very anxious to know at once-and it
was much cooler than in that other
shed? Certainly; he would go over and
bring her bench, But here she begged
he wouldn't trouble himself; she could
sit anywhere comfortably.
The lower end of the work bench was
covered with clean and odorous shay
ings She lightly brushed them aside.
ana with "a youthful movement swung
herself to a seat upon it, supporting her
self on one hand as she leaned toward
him. She could thus see that his ewes
were of Light yellowish brown, like
clarified honey, with singular look of
clear concentration in them, which,
however, was the same whether turned
upon his work, the surrounding grain or
upon her. This, and his sublime uncon-
sciousness of the smudge across his face
and his blackened hands, made her won
der if the man who could do everything
with wood and iron was above doing
anything with water. She had half a
mind to tell him of it, particularly as
she noticed also that his throat below
the line of sunburn disclosed by his open
collar was quite white and his grimy
hands well made. She was wondering
whether he would be affronted if she
said in her politest way, II beg your
pardon, but do you know you have quite
accidentally got something on your
face?" and offer her handkerchief, which
Of course he would decline, when her
eye fell on the steam engine.
"How odd! Do you use that on the
farmg"
No-he smiled here, the smudge ac-
centing it and setting off his white teeth
in Christy minstrel fashion that ex-
asperated her-no. Although it could
be used and had been. But it was his
first effort, made two years ago, when
he was younger and more inexperienced.
It was a rather rough thing, she could
see, but he had to make it at odd times
with what iron he could pick up or pay
for, and at different forges where he
worked.
She begged his pardon-where?-
Where he worked.
All, then he was the machinist or en-
gineer here?
No, he worked here just like the others,
only he was allowed to put up forge
while the grain was green, and have his
bench, in consideration of the odd jobs
he could do in the way of mending tools,
etc. There was a heap of mending and
welding to do-she had no idea how
quickly agricultural machines got out
of order! He had done much of his
work on the steam engine ON moonlit
nights. Yes; she had no idea how per-
fectly clear and light it was here in the
valley on such nights, although of course
the shadows were very dark, and when
he dropped screw or a nut it was diff
cult to find. He had worked there be-
cause it saved time and because it didn't
cost anything, and he had nobody to look
on or interfere with him. No; it was
not lonely: the coyotes and wild cats
sometimes came very near, but were al
ways more surprised and frightened
than he was, and once horseman who
had strayed off the distant road yonde,
mistook him for an animal and shot al
him twice.
He told all this with such freedom
from embarrassment and with such ap
parent inconsistencies of the blue eyes
that were following lin and the light
graceful figure-which was SO near hi!
own that in some of his gestures hi
grimy hands almost touched is delicate
garments-that, accustomed as she wa!
TO a certain masculine alteration in he
presence, she was greatly amused by hi
naive acceptance of her as an equal
| Suddenly looking frankly in her face h
said:
''Il show you secret if you care :
see it."
Nothing would please her more.
He glanced hurriedly around, took
key from his pocket and unlocked tn
paddock that secured the closet she ha
noticed. Then reaching within with II
O finite care he brought out small me
chanical model.
"Theres an invention Of my own.
reaper and thrasher combined. In
= going to have it patented and have bl
one made from this model. This wi
work, as you SEE"
He then explained to her with gres
's precision how as it moved over the mel