Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1895-02-09

range and told q. few stories in the |
evening. when Alphonse was making
biscuits, he turned in and slept until |
early morning when he silently dressed |
and went into the woods. The cheer
ful toot Of the mammoth horn at meal |
time brought 40 cheerful light to his
eyes.
With this effective presentation of
a misanthrope, dead to the better
feelings OF humanity. Indifferent to
the enticements of good fellowship, il
may be well to proceed to the denoue-
rnent. In a lumber camp, as everyone
knows, space is utilized and the men
eieep two in bunk. Bills companion
vas the antithesis tc himself-cheer.
full. lively as cricket, ioyial and
manIy-a very Hercules in figure and
| an open hearted, affable fellow who
| had few Of the vices Of his compan-
ions-he neither drank 10 excess on
| periodical visits to town nor expended
all his wages ID spring, when the logs
were ID the streams and the camp was
| over. He chafed the m1santhrope
| great ceal. Their conversations usu.
ally we're conducted Oh one side.
''Bil, said this hero of thrilling
tale, twhat makes YOU such a cross
grained cnss?'
Bill only snortcd.
'Why don't you mingle with the
boys2 I'm sure you're not such a
sour, lisagreenble, detestable, unde-
sirable. ugly, mean, unsociahle chap
as you seem. They say beneath q
rough exterior there is often fine in
terror. It does seem hard to imagine
that there is anything pleasant or nice
about you, Bill, but why don't you
surprise somebody some day by show
ing that you are just trifle less self
ish, mulish, obstinate, set and cussed?
See if You can't make your natg1e be-
lie your face.
Bib snarled and turned his fste to-
ward the wall.
''All right, old chap, remarked toe
other. pleasant dreams. Then he
took picture from his bosom. "You
ought to have some woman TO unIuK
Of, Bill, he added almost tenderly.
"Thcn YOU wouldn't be such sour,
contemplate, disayreeable chap SO
saying he pressed his lips to the pic
urc. Bill started and stole look at
him. The face of the mlsanthrope
became convulsed.
'Who is she?' he asked in hoarse
] tone of voice.
$50 YOU are interested, are you:'
Q snil the other, laughinSly. "Who Is
: she? Ny wife, to be sure. We
wouldn't be separated now but for the
hard times. And then there's the
baby to think of, Bill. But there's O
good time coming, Bill, when th.
snow melts and the flowers peep from
: beneath the covering of ice when the
hills are covered with verdure and tht
world awakens to life and love. Their
| shall once more be with my darling
: Good night, old chap. / only wisi
: sou as pleasant dreams as come to ME. ;
With that he turned on his side pa
slept with the picture pressed to hi
lcart In the misantnropes mind
!, thousand conflicting thoughts ra,
riot. for IN the sweet face he had rec
oGnlZed his former lov1, while lvln
by his side, sleeping so calmly an
rest:ully IN the same berth was th
man who hal robbed him OF tha
n which be held most dear, and change
!. him into one Of the most miserabl
.. creatures IN the world. With a ours
% Bill opened his clasp knife anu b
arm hung suspended over the sleepiu
.. claa. the biale directed toward b
: heart. Then the thought came 10 B.
IL that .o Kill him Il would he necessas
/; Tor the knife to pass through the p
B., ,ure Of his old sweetheart
., Carefully be removed the pic,nr
~ and. holding It IN lis band. rals.
h himself or his elbow and gazel a.
81 Tie tears came 10 his eyes, final
., he replaced the picture, gnd. shu,'ii
), ii" hn.:e. l-.l down hy tie side .: !;
Ii. main Mo Aai stolen MS love. bu: :.
q: 70 sleep The other never knew b
,o near :he gates 0: death were % /
as that I light,
u The mex; day Bill was IS cross
=. ever. He ale his b.eaksas: s.lec'