Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-06-11

IL IAN wv tlulcS, pup hO
w ! Il never felt his lit
m tleness as he did
~ that night when
- ~ eLSNp that one word OF
contempt and scorn
fell from the full red lips of Janet
Lyon.
She was the acknowledged belle of
the Muskegon valley, the daughter OF
the senior member of the firm OF
Lyon, Haight ~ Go. Janet was not n
child OF fashion, but strong, healthy
child of the pine woods. Mnskegon
wa, the end of the world to her, and
at the time of which we write was n
mere villa &c, with no connection with
the outside world. 1t was yet the
umberopolis of Western Michigan
aud rapidly growing in Importance.
1t was ut II dance in log house
near Maple Top that Mark Farnham
received the rebuke described. y
great, hulking logger had troaden on
the skirt of .Janet's cashmere and
ripped it at the waist. The logger
merely said "Blank the Dress" and
went on with his dancing.
'The insulting puppy' exclaimed
Janet, with flushed cheeks. And
then. u minute later. she turned ON
Mark Farnham, her escort, IL little,
pale faced fellow, with mild blue eyes
and etfeminate cast of countenance,
with the one word that opens orr
sketch.
What would she have him DO?
Too we'll the pale little ook-keeper
knew the backwoods code. tt was
his duty to insist on IN apology from
the bulky logger or ilog him for his
insolence. This Mark Farnham was
not able to do. He knew the man
who had insultel Janet rs a bull y and
hard pet from near the Dam, II village
on the river some six miles from Ma
pie Top.
"There's no use having any trou
ble," said Mark. eff the fellow
troubles you again I'll settle with
him."
"Oh, the idea" exclaimed Janet.
81 think the next time l 60 out in
company it will be with man. and
she turned her back ON the little
book keeper and began relating her
troubles to II group OF girls near by.
The set was disarranged by the in
cident, and another couple was called
on to fill the gap, and then the dance
went on as though nothing had hap
pened.
Mark Farnham noticed indignant
glauces turned toward him by the
back woods lassies, and knew that the
word coward was repeated from lip to
lip.
II wonder if Janet would be better
satisfied if / should offer myself a sac
rifce on the altar of her offended dig
nifty. might get my head knocked
off, but what would he the use? ri
see that DANTE and make him apollo
gize. if die the next minute"
But the little book-keeper was not
permitted the privilege of receiving a
thrashing for Janet Lyons sake. A
newcomer had appeared upon the
scene in the person of Richard Well
ington, magnificent picture Of mus
cular development, with the dress and
air of gentleman. He was Lyon,
Haight Co.'s foreman in the great
mill at Muskegon, and prime favorite
with the senior member of the firm.
"The coward permitted that utlian,
River Dan, to insult me grossly. 1t
will be long time before am seen in
his company again, 1 can tell you that, -
Janet was saying, rs she passed the
little book-keeper, leaning on the arm
of Mr.. Wellington.
"Where is the fellow now?" ques-
toned Wellington.
'Never mind. / do not care to see
him again. Let it drop"
'But will punish the scoundrel as
he deserves. No mau shall insult you
while am around, Janet"
"No, no." and the fair girl chung to
the arm of her Apollo-like companion.
at is not your quarrel, Dick. L shan t
permit you to make trouble now. l
know if you had been in Mark Farm
hams place you would have promptly
knocked the rufiian down. was SO
ashamed of him. He is a little COW
ard"
Again that word. lieut. like knife,
and the pallid little book keeper never
before felt his utter insignihcauce as
he did this night. He was glad when
the dance came to an end. But Janet
was already tucked under the robes of
Dick Wellington's cutter when Farm.
ham went for her to ride back with
him. Another insult. The pallid
cheeks of the little book keeper held
two spots of flame rs he went alone to
his cutter.
Coin past the dam, amt ye?"
A stalwart form, in red shirt and
overalls, loomed up before the book
keeper in the moonlight.
Farnham at once recognized the man
who had caused him such extreme hu.
initiation this night.
II am going past the dam," admit
ted Farnham.
"Alone?'
81 expect So
"Mebbe you'd take passenger"
Certainly; get in"
The huge bully thrust himself I'M
der the robe. Farnham seated him.
self beside him. and then they went
spinning away over the openings at a
rapid rate.
Twas You with that high-strune
Lyon gal, want it?"
EYES," admitted the book keeper.
"She looked mad enough when
trod on her dress. Sich trails don't
admire nohow. No sensible gal would
wear 'em to dance: but then I've
been thinking didn't do the squar
thing tonight, cap, so when you see
the gal agin jest tell her I'm sorry
tore her dress; ] didn't go for to 60 it,
nohow. You'll tell her.
Farnham said that he would. River
Dan was garrulous, and did most Of
the talkins, and the little book keeper