The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-09-10
Is what ?" dreamily.

Il had ali / wanted, | believe"
An owned that house acrost the
lake, an had horses an stables an
servants, an'-an' government bonds ?
excitedly.
Yes slight tremor came into
the grave voice-"but we will not
speak Of that, Thomas Suppose we
go to work We will freeze If we
stand here talking
They set to work vigorously, each
taking one row of piles which the
wagons had left and spreading SIS far
as the seaweed would cover. But oc
casionally Thomas glanced fnrtively
at his companion.
so its rally true. ne muttered un-
der his breath, ''son gambled an run
off an old man paid his debts an
come here. "Tarnal pity fer the old
feller's a good sort, if he don't talk.
An the son-well. I guess it's chem
kind O sons as makes hangin's."
All through the afternoon they
worked, and only stopped when the
shril! call of the supper horn came
across the fields
As they passed through the barn
yard. a great, hulking figure sIouched
from one Of the sheds.
''Hullo 'Siasr called Thomas, jeer-
ingly: got over bein' sick, have ye?"
Yeas, bout" the man answered,
sheepishly.
We'll, take car you don't git down
az lin when its time for work"
At the door they met Pratt.
jest the fellers I'm lookin' fer he
said briskly. You'll have ter go
back an Go up the barn chores. Bill
an Ike don't seem to think they fit.
You see t the horses yourself, squire"
he added as they turned away to do
his bidding Thomas, amt portick-
Ter 'nough.'
1t was late in the evening when
they returned to the house. Thomas
went into the kitchen. but his com
panion was too tired to eat. He
climbed slowly TO his cold room in the
garret
Come, git up, squire! Bills down
with cold an you'll have ter drive
his team terday. Step lively"
The Old man dressed hurriedly,
and stumbled down the dark staircase
1t still lacked an hour of daylight.
Pratt stood by the kitchen dor
Take a bit o suthin' an be gittin'
Of rs soon's ye can" he exclaimed
impatiently. It'll be daylight fust
ye know. III be boun' there's ~ doz
en- teams on the beach already"
Il don't know as | shall be able to
make load without help" said the
squire, doubtfully, L sprained my
back little yesterday
Tut. int! We've got shirks enough
on the place now 'fhout you irwin to
join 'em. You're all right Git some
vittles an be startin'. We can't ford
ter board ye here fer nothin'.
The squire made no reply. Taking
few pieces Of cold bread he ate them
mechanically, and then opened the
door and went out. 1t was bitterly
cold, and he took a handkerchief from
his pocket aGd tied it around his
neck. When he reached the barn he
found piece Of old sacking, and this
was made to do the duty of an over
coat. 1t did not take him long to
yoke the oxen, and presently the
heavy wheels Of the wagon were
creaking slowly over the frozen
ground.
hen the sun rose he was we'll on
his way to the beach Soon after he
drove across the low ridge of sand
hills which had been washed ND by
successive storms. But, early as he
was, several teams were ahead of him.
The best of the seaweed had been
thrown into piles, and the men were
now loading it into their wagons. As
the wind was off shore there was no
fresh seaweed coming in. The squire
took his fork from the wagon and
drove slowly along the beach, picking
mp stray lunches here and there,
Sometimes he stepped into the water
and rescued masses which were being
tioatei of by the rising tide.
Bat it was SLOW, hard work. The
other teams left and new arrivals
took their places. At St he threw
his fork upon the load ana drove
away. 1t was long past noon.
Back through the sand hills and
across the pastures to the main road.
and then up hill and down till he
came in sight of the farm. On top
of the last hill he paused to let the
oxen rest
Near hIm the road branched, and
one of the forks curved away into the
woods ana around the lake. His CID
eyes grew wistful. it wa, the road
which led to the mansion among the
trees.
rs he s.ool there he saw a carriage
approaching. Driving bis team to
one side he waited; but the carriage
stopped as it came opposite.
Does Squire Burke still live at the
old place." man asked.
NO; he left many years ago"
At the sound of the voice the
stranger started and glanced at the
old man sharply. Then he sprang
from the carriage. But as he drew
near he paused and bowed his head.
like man waiting sentence.
"Richardw The squire tried to
keep his voice steady; but it broke as
the young man sprang forward and
caught him by his arms.
After few moments they stood
back and looked at each other.
Nv here have you been all these
years, Richard?' the old man asked.
Nv hat have You been doing?"
In South America working. After
you disowned me. | wandered about
the country for some six weeks and
then shipped on board of vessel as
a common sailor. Finally | drifted
into place where | obtained a good
situation. After while / went into
business. Then | wrote to the man
whose name | had forged and told
him | was able to pay some OF the
money and would pay the rest as soon
as | could. He answered that If was
paid. OF course | understood. After