Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-21

IA " IES l 4. nluCaUce tueu, IL
/ |. |. | !. !. !. ! !: !. . /. !. . ] !
~ m NeA1 D never before. Why
4 III SG9S! | could he not be q
lN/uMi lMkj man among men?
u "a Ntl W He had uttered
X 7MlE ~ this question men
IN, lVW ~ tally hundred
IN LIN %Tl times, but he
IN I II - never felt his lit
lN tleness as he did
~ 49, that night when
o. eeSTlb that one word of
e, 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 & Co. Janet was not n
child of fashion, but strong, healthy
child of the pine woods. Muskegon
was the end of the world to her, and
at the time of which we write was q
mere village, with no connection with
the outside world. 1t was yet the
lumberopolis of Western Michigan
and rapidly growing in Importance.
1t was at dance in a log house
near Maple Top that Mark Farnham
received the rebuke described. A
great, hulking logger had trodden 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. minute later, she turned on
Mark Farnham, her escort, little,
pale-faced fellow, with mild blue eyes
and effeminate cast of countenance,
with the one word that opens our
sketch.
What would she have him do?
Too we'll the pale little book-keeper
knew the backwoods code. 1t was
his duty to insist on an apology from
the bulky logger or fog him for his
insolence. This Mark Farnham was
not able to do. He knew the man
who had insulted Janet as bully and
hard pet from near the Dam, q 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 / go out in
company it will be with man." and
she turned her back on the little
book-keeper and began relating her
troubles to 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
4 glances turned toward him by the
backwoods lassies, and knew that the
word coward was repeated from lip to
lip.
'I wonder if Janet would be better
satisfied if 1 should offer myself sac
rifice on the altar of her offended dig
nifty. L might get my head knocked
of, but what would be the use? I'll
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, a 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 ruffian,
River Dan, to insult me grossly. II
will be a long time before | am seen il
his company again, can tell you that, ;
Janet was saying, as she passed the
little book-keeper, leaning ON the arm
of Mr.. Wellington.
"Where is the fellow now?" ques
toned Wellington.
Never mind. I do not care to see
him again. Let it drop"
But will punish the scoundrel as
ha deserves. No mau shall insult YOU
while am around, Janet"
"No, no" and the fair girl clung tc
the arm of her Apollo-like companion
SIT is not your quarrel, Dick. L shan
permit you to make trouble now.
know if you had been in Mark Farm
hams place you would have prompt,
knocked the rufIian down. I was 81
ashamed of him. He is little COW
ard"
Again that word. Itcut like knife
and the pallid little book keeper neveI
before felt his utter insignifcance a.
he did this night. He was glad whel
the dance came to an end. But Jane
was already tucked under the robes o
Dick Wellington's cutter when Farm
ham went for her to ride back will
him. Another insult. The palliC
cheeks of the little book-keeper helc
two spots of flame as he went alone t,
his cutter.
"Goin' past the dam, amt ye?"