The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-30

Dolbear and the madam's carriage wa
goin to fetch sissy home i'm place of m
and Kit. blast her lazy bonesp
II don't agree with you about III
carriage. Why should we turn to th
Strongs for assistance i'm every emel
gency? Must the Martins always b
propped up by the Strongs? Can't W
possibly carry on our family affair
without their aid?"
Seth looked toward the excited ques
toner ont of the corners of his blu
eyes--a sheer waste of energy. for TIN
red glow of his cigar revealed only tn,
tip of a straight, delicate nose and sen
sitive upper lip clothed in a silky brown
| mustache.
What's come over you, Strong? Yor
the last one in the world to turn ag in
the gov 'nors people -
Strong struck his heel angrily against
the low dashboard II know what you
want to say. l, the governors name,
sake, who have reaped handsome ben.
eft from my christening in shape of a
four years course at Singleton college,
am the last one to say sharp things, OF
should be. wasn't consulted about q
choice of names. "
That's so, but at one time you was
that wrapped up in Adrien Strong,
when you and him was little fellers,
that you was ready to fight anybody
who wouldn't admit he was made ont
of superior sort of clay -
Il know it, i know that too. But
what's the use of flinging all my i'm
becility in my teeth at once?'
There was the soothing gentleness of
a mothers lullaby in Seth's voice as he
answered:
II don't want to fling nothin in your
teeth. boy l was just sorter outdone to
hear you peckin at the gov'nor's folks.
They's been good friends to our people.
What's come over You, Strong? You've
been down in the mouth ever since you
come home. Don't be feared to speak
out, lad. Maybe Buddy Seth can help
you, like he useter when you got your
fishin tackle all tangled up and couldn't
ontangle it. "
I'm in worse tangle than that. old
fellow, but l don't see how it would
mend matters to talk about it. -
"Git up, mulesr'
Through the stiffness the crack of
Seth's long whip resounded clear and
sharp The mules broke sullenly into
heavy trot. The smell of rank vegeta-
tion filled their nostrils. Tall, coarse
coffee weeds smote them mercilessly
with damp, ghostly fingers. An owl,
disturbed by the unwonted noises be-
low, lifted itself slowly ON heavy wings
and fiuttered, complaining and plaintive,
to safer refuge. The night wind stir
red the topmost boughs and set them
assigning 1t was not cheerful drive.
Seth s thoughts had wandered from the |
sullen boy by his side to Liza.
I'm feared them weeds'll poster her
nightly. If I'd had a head with a
pun kin seed, I'd assent out and had |
EN- chopped down early this mornin
easy enough"
Strong put out his hand to press the |
yaunt knee nearest to him.
Buddy Seth, you've got the biggest |
md the most unselfish heart in the uni
'erse. / did not mean to be sharp with
,ou little back, but have been wan
lering in dark labyrinth for month
low to which this weed choked, mud
utted road is clear travelling"
Seth slapped the hand on his knee
Il knowed it. l knowed it! You
ant hoodwink the buddy that's been
tudyln you ever sence you was little
urly head chap in short petticoats. But
don't want to force your confidence.
trong If you've got anything on your
lind that's worryin you, and you'd like
share it with Buddy Seth, why Just
on heave ahead. But l can wait. 1
int no ways impatient, boy
From under the shadow of the trees
ut into the broad, farTeaching fields,
here the white bannerets of the open
)tton swayed softly in their russell
oils, where the following blades of the
pened cornstalks rustled against the |
des OF the wagon, where much travel
and from the ginhouses had cut deeper
nd more hopelessly into the soft ooze
the road
Sissy won't enjoy this ride as much
she used to enjoy travelin over this
cry road behind Buddy Seth when the
ersimmons was ripe. Bless her heart
ouldn't she put away the ripe persim-
ons, though? l hope she amt out
owed all her cute little ways"
Strong did not answer. He was not
linking of Liza The moment of his
mptation had come to him. He was
resting with himself Should he tell
eth everything? He knew no safer
nfidant could be found, but would
do any good? Would he believe it?
From out the broad, fiat cotton fields
to another and a narrower strip of
oodland, and then out upon the grass
rpeted cliff called the landing, where
r below them, yellow and sluggish.
Dad and resistless, the Mississippi riv-
passed by them on its way to the sea.
Seth drew rein abruptly.
fro BE Continued
Inconvenfent.