The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-09-03


stones. The horses hoofs struck soft
on the road. Jerry pulled in There
was no use in going fast now He
would gain nothing by it, and John
was quite breathless. He listened in
tently for some sound from the car
riage. There was no talking, only a
smOthered sob now and then, that cat
the faithful fellow like a knife, but
the silence was grateful for all that.
The road stretched out, a long
moonlit line before him, with pretty
villas lying III the shadow on either
hand. There was turning some
where in the distance which meant
home, and home to Jerry's simple na
ture was a sacred place. the haven
where quarreling and pickering dared
not enter. All would be we'll when
they reached home. At the turn of
the road then.
Jerry, stop the carriagem The
voice was his masters 1t struck him
like thunder bolt, but with his usual
obedience he drew rein. sitting erect
and almost passive as young Mr. Ar
mold sprang to the ground. slamming
the carriage door behind him. His
eyes were blazing with anger, his face
pale with passion.
Drive on" he said curtly, Il am
not going home''
Sir" asked Jerry, upon whom the
command fell like dash of cold water,
nearly taking away his breath. He
knew John was listening with greedy
interest, but for the life of him he
cOnld not utter another word.
Drive on, | say" repeated the
young master imperiously, for Jerry
seemed unusually slow of cOmprehen
sion, it was too cold a night to handy
words.
Without you, sir?" questioned Jer-
ry, incredulously.
"Certainly, l am going to walk"
1T will be late when you get home.
sir" said Jerry, respectfully.
Il am not going home. | shall
walk back to the city"
Any other cOachman would have ut
tered an exclamation, but this rare ex
ception sat apparently unmoved upon
his box, though perfectly aware that
Johns elbow was digging persistently
into his side.
It's a freezing night, sir" he began
IN his slow way, land that coat of
yours Is only fit for the carriage. If
you've left anything in the city, I'll
see to itin the morning"
Young Mr.. Arnold stamped his foot
impatiently.
"Confonnd you, Jerry, Can't you
do as tell you? Drive Mrs Arnold
home directly-Im going to tramp it
so be- off"
Jerry frightened his slack rein pre-
paratory to a start. He glanced at
John That functionary might have
been carved in wood for all the sign
he gave. He stopped slightly, and
his searching eyes looked strai ght in
to the angry ones just below him.
Its a pity" he said. You'd bet
ter change your mind. sir. The
weather is horrid cold: YOU might
Il won't" interrupted his master,
so drive on"
''Perhaps you'd be goin' to walk to
that little drug store we passed a
while since, sir" went on Jerry. i'm
perturbably: Its there they keep
good cigars. If yon're feeling a bit
restless you might have a smoke on
your way back, and We'll wait for you
at the turn of the road. | may as well
give the horses breathin' spell any
how"
The devil you will. You trot them
straight home-do you hear?"
Yes, sir. but'-Here Jerry's pre-
rogative of old servitude stood him in
good stead-'I must wait while to
see if you don't come. You some
times are quite changeable. Mr.. Win
ston. Miss Ethel now will be that
Worried if you should take a cold
Winston Arnold laughed there
was no mirth in the sound-it rang
harshly ont on the silent world. He
turned away abruptly and headed for
the twinkling city in the distance.
Jerry touched his hat IN his usual
fashion. but the voice he sent after
his master into the darkness was de
termined against all odds. "Remem-
Der. sir, that drug store is on the right
| hand side going back; we'll wait for
yOu at the turn of the road" Then
he touched his horses with the whip
and the carriage rolled smoothly on
ward
John unbent before the wheels had
made a dozen revolutions.
"Well | never seen the beat of that
for temper" he began; ''p'r'aps you'll
| tell me, Jerry, he was funnin'-it was
the biggest bluff fur fun | ever heard
on-that's all I've got to say about
| it."
Jerry maintained a dignifed sill
ence. He knew Johns last remark
was mere figure Of speech. He had
evidently a great deal more to say.
"Humphw went on this worldly,
wise youth with Il wag of his head
I've see this kind, -many's the time
soft soap afore, and brickbats after
My eye, but he was ragin' when he
tramped off Maybe you think he's
comm back-yer as innercent as the
babe unborn. Jerry-them great big
fellers your size amt much in seein
through things; p'r'aps you're goin'tc
stop at the cross roads an make foo
O. yourself. besides freezin' out the
missus-"
Jerry smiled.
Don't worry. Young one. the missu:
won't freeze and ] guess / know the
master better than yon do I'm going
II wait. You can walk home if yoJ
want TO. amt keepin' you" There
was twinkle in Jerry's eye He wa:
man of few words, bat he usually
hit straight in controversy,
John looked at his immaculat,
top-bocts. and was silent on that head
See here, jerry" he said, return