The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-09-03
AT THE TURN OF TIE ROAD

|
left, as he gathered up the reins. The
spirited horses needed no touch OF the
whip-they drew the carriage rapidly
along the silent streets. The night
was bitterly cold, but they We're blood
ed animals, and there was fire IN their
veins Jerry had them under firm
contlol. however. He sat erect, look
ing neither to one side nor the other,
the collar Of his sable cap drawn high
up over his ears, entirely hiding his
face in its impenetrable gloom.
John grew restive under the silence
which added to the cold, was IN
bearable. The murmur Of voices com
ing from the interior OF the carriage
provoked him once more to speech.
Listen to that. now. They're hav
in it hot, ] can tell yer-that amt
billin' an cooin', You couldn't hide
the pepper an vinegar in there.
John jerked his finger backward
and downward in his most expressive
manner. No not if yer was to
swamp it in molasses."
Without relaxing his hold on the
reins, Jerry turned his head towards
his companion.
Shut upm he commanded and there
was something in his strong, smooth
shaven face which compelled obedi
ence.
/ The Younger man subsided at once.
but it was clear that he still held TO
his own opinion, for he smiled signiti-
cantly once or twice as al occasional
angry tone was waited from below.
He folded his arms across his slight
expanse of chest and cooked his head
on one side, waiting for jerry to
speak. He was q smart lad in a small
way, and knew the weakness of his
superior. He was sure Jerry's tongue
would wag before the journeys end,
if only IN defense of the couple inside.
and John was not mistaken. He
presently came ont OF his collar and
began to talk in an admonIshing,
though conciliatory manner If l
was in your place, young Cne," he
said, breaking long pause, i would
be careful! about meddling with other
peoples concerns I'd like to know
what difference it could make to you
if Mr.. and Mrs. Arnold had high
words every night of ,heir lives, which
they don't They get along as well
as any young married folks, and bet
ter than most. Why man, Eve drove
for Mr. Carpenter, that's Miss Ethels
Mrs Arnold's father, ever since |
was chap your size. and I've drove
the three young ladies in turn, first
to the church, ana then for whole
year after they were married, and this,
| tell YOU. Is the finest pair of them
all"
You're right about that" owned
John, at is,~'t the Iookin, IFS the
action that gets me-"
You've always got your ears
cooked What did you hear to.
night?" asked Jerry, hiding beneath
his severe aspect a very natural curl
osity mingled with great deal Of
family pride, on the alert TO resent
anything that looked impertinence on
Johns part. jerry was a very staunch
supporter of the family dignity.
Il heard and seen, BOTH asserted
John, quite willing to be drawn out.
Il was standin' on the sidewalk hold
! in the carriage door open when they
came down the steps Mr. Arnold
was a mutterin' to himself kinder,
with black scowl on his face, an the
mistress, she said something very low,
an he answered. mad as thunder,
| BE SILENT Just like one of them fellers
on the stage an she turned as white
as chalk They both got into the
carriage an he slammed the door, yon
! heard him, didn't you? Well, | don't
! call that real lOvin'."
'.Humphm said Jerry, you don't
know thing about it. lust listened
for some such tale as that, Johnny:
you must never Judge by ontside ap
pearances. those two don't take on
much in public"
Don't they" sneered John, dpri-
slvely. I'VE took on land enough for
all the cabbles to hear and grin to their
selves You mark my words, Jerry,
that this couple inside amt going to
live together in peace an harmony
for long. Hark to that, now. What
would you call it?"
Both were silent Each was strain
| ing his ears TO catch the stifed sounds
from the carriage. 1t was woman's
distressed weeping, broken by sobS
which no one could mistake
Jerry's rugged face grew a trifle
pale He set his teeth and laid his
whip with unintentional force across
the unotfending backs of the two
horses They started forward with
an energy which it took some minutes
to subdue, at the end of which time
he was able to speak quite naturally.
Il didn't hear anything SO wonder
full. [ don't never set myself 10 listen
and spy on people like you do. If
you'd been born deaf, Johnny. lou'i
filled your place better"
You know she's cryin' hard-you're
just putting me oil"
We'll, suppose she Is" admitted
Jerry seeing how he could dis
pute> this fact IF you weren't a fool
| which | can't help it if you are,
John you'd understand people cry
for a lot of things sometimes for Just
nothing at adjust as the notion
takes .em. You couldn't tell hy that
if they're mad or glad"
May be so-may be so-but that
there weepin' don't sound joyful, !
tell you what, Jerry"
But Jerry was not listering; he had
graver things to consider than mat
ter of argument with this young jack
anapes. The sounds inside were very
disquieting. Jerry had heard them
several times before, but somehow
they had never struck upon his ear Sc
ominously Is now.
His heart was suddenly oppressed
with strange forehoding what il
John were right after ALL Suppose
there was an end to peace and harmo
ny between those two for whom he
Jerry felt in some odd way responsi
BILE. Had he not openly sanctioned
! the marriage by assuming a public