Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-15
he LooKED ROUGH EVEN IN THAT WILD
NEIGHBoRHOOD.

NE LOOKED ROUGH EVEN IN THAT WILD
NEIGHBORHOOD.
looked rough even in that wild neigh
borhood and impressed the beholder at
first sight as being middle aged, though
closer inspection gave the idea of few
er years. He carried a dilapidated
black satchel, evidently nearly empty,
slung oye his shoulder on a bit Of pine
slab. apparently a piece of driftwood,
but still fresh from some up river saw
mill. His coat vas suspended on the
end Of this stick beyond the valise. He
wore a rather wide leather belt, and
his trousers were thrust in his boots,
from.the top Of one Of which projected
the handle Of q dirk knife, d utensil
much affected by the steamboat men
and raftsmen of the time and region,
Ostensibly for table and other uses OF
domestic peace, but really for employ
ment in public brawls when the hand
of these worthy citizens was turned
against their brother men. Every
thing, in fact, indicated that the man
plodding onward was a river man on
his way to the harvest fields Of the cul-
tivated strip.
1t was late in the afternoon when he
reached the first house, still a little be-
low the level Of the prairie. He turned
up the steep incline which led from the
road and dragged himself, almost stag
gered, toward the house. At the door
he dropped his coat and bag, sat down
Snsthe lower step and rested his head
IN his hands. Some one was moving
about inside the house, but he made no
effort to open communication.
By and by a woman, thin and per-
haps 80 years Of age, came to the door
with a dish pan in her hands. She
started slightly as she saw the figure
before her, but only slightly, for fig
ures Of the character were too com
mon.
well, what do you vanity she said
rather sharply.
He looked up and for a moment
seemed to be pulling his wits together.
Then. he said simply, "Work."
well, we want another man, but he
needs to be right smart. Can you bind
your stationy
"Yes-tomorrow.n
"You don't pear as II you could to-
day" She looked at him a moment as
he sat with his head bowed. Then she
added, 'Have you been drinkingY He
looked up quickly and for the first time
gazed %squarely in her eyes.
Eyes," he said.
Thought so,' was the woman,s
comment. We'll, rest up, and. when
my husband comes down from the field
he'll talk with you"
The man rose and looked toward the
barn. 'I'u just go out and camp on the
hay" he said. Then he added quickly
as he drew a very black brier pipe
from his pocket and laid it on the step,
tsIIl leave that here"
you'd better leave your bottle here,
too" said the woman.
The man started slightly, then drew
an empty flask from his pocket, looked
at it a moment and turned and threw
1t down the rocky gulch.
III you'd done that before you
emptied it, you'd "a been better off,"
said the woman. He made no reply.
"You look more intelligent than most
Q f9these fellers that come along went
on the m candidly. Don't you
know better?" y
YES"
'Then why don't you stop?a
II can't"
"s'posen you try. If you stay here,
wen do what we can to help you"
The nan looked at her, his manner
showing more surprise than anything
else. II never had much help lie said
slowly. "But 1t wouldn't do any good.
1t doesn't matter anyhow"
ut must to some one" returned the
woman. sIIaven't you got friends7"