The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-22

AN the sight of him-an' the voice or
him. I dunno-I dunno what IL is; but
an, he means no good. know it, 1 know
IT," sobbed jimmy; nor could the master
sitting there in his wisdom give back to the
child so much as a word.
1.-THE hussy, was all he could say; "oh,
the jader' And so silence fell.
Presently, from the corners came a sound
Of stiffied sobbing, from the box a voice
that waxed swiftly to clamor and fury.
jimmy ceased sobbing and stood looking at
her hands; the master woke suddenly to a
and rose.
"Heigho." he sighed; then stepped from
the hearth. whats all this hear. boys?"
he called cheerily towards the hooks and
corners. "Come, come-that's a poor noise
to be making. Jinnys not crying-are you,
Jinny?" He took her by the arm, led her
to the doorway, and turned her face to his.
Never mind" he said; be brave, Jimmy.
Do the best you can. Your mother will be
home soon-if 1 meet her I'll hurry her.
She must go to town sometimes you know.
Anyhow. don't fret; and come up to Emo
one Of these days for an old dress or some
thing 1 heard the mistress talking about.
Come now-cheer up-and away in like a
girl and see to the baby. Run now"
ct will sir-I WILL
That's a girl" And the master went.
Turning away towards the left, he went
through the fields, over the Round hill,
across footstick, and striking the Curlock
road made towards Emo. His feet dragged
heavily, his eyes sought the road. 1.-The
IL
1.-THE hussy," and again, God help them
all!' Very busy were his thoughts. but not
now did they turn to work, or cattle, or
the coming of spring.
Right at the foot Of the hill, where the
road curves away from the river, sights the
willows and makes straight for the Cur
rach bridge, just there the master stopped
raised his head and stood listening-with
hands clasped behind him, shoulders slack
and head twisted from the river, stood
listening to an irregular thud of chopping
broken and smothered by a sullen roar of
coughing that came to him across the
hedge. A minute he stood In the roadway
motionless and hearkening; then, groan-
ing as If in pain, mounted the ditch, put
hands around mouth and shouted into the
wind.
Henry! Henry" The sound of chop
ping ceased. Henry! Henryr' The roar
Of coughing came clearer. With his head
bent to the wind the master stood on the
ditch. steadily cycling the figure that came
toward him across the grass.
A man of about forty-five he was, big
Of bones and body, but wofully meagre of
flesh. his eyes burning bright, face brick
red, a latter of whiskers on his cheeks and
iron-gray stubble on his chin. He wore
cords old and patched. a sleeved mole-skin
waistcoat and brown felt hat; from knee
to boot his legs were wound about with
ropes twisted from hay; round his neck
was long wooden muller. His hands
were chapped and scratched, his lips blue
and dry; through the open front of his cot
ton shirt you had sight of his naked chest.
Slowly, awkwardly, one foot listlessly
dragging after the other, this long arm
swinging by his side, the other curled
round the haft of a billhook. he came along
the hillside, stopped before the master and
raised his eyes.
Good evenin'." he said with nod. "Its
brave weather"
ut is, Henry" answered the master
What are you doing over there?'
Il was hedgin'," came back slowly.
gruffiy; 'clearin' the briars. The ditch
was choked," said the man, after a pause:
and again. 81 wanted something for the
fire." He let the billhook slide through
his arm. fixed the blade between his feet,
leant his chest upon the haft and stood
looking behind him.
"Briars make bad firing, Henry" said
fHa mo 1onGtncr IL.
of bramble that lay by a ditch out in the
field
''The worst" came back. .But they're
better than nothin'"
mo turf. Henry?'
Next to none.''
mo sticks?"
"Sorra a stick"
The mans manner was slow, listless
weary. He spoke with an effort, wasting
not word. His gaze across the field was
bovine in its steady contemplativeness.
From time to time he shook from head to
heel with paroxysm of coughing
Can you do anything for that, Henry p"
asked the master at last. with jerk of his
head and look at the heaving chest
'I've tried Everything"
Been to the doctor. lately?"
81 have"
''Well?"
He said I'd make fine ould man with
a new pair of bellows in me-"
"Ah!" The master pursed his lips, shook
his head; looked away. Wouldn't 1t be
wise. Henry, to get button on that shirt
and wear a coat"
81 dunno. Mebbe it might"
Nothing seemed of interest to the man.
He stood there leaning on his billhook
just answering and coughing, waiting
seemingly for nothing in the world but
word to go on.
1--WE been beyond at the house, Henry"
said the master again. 'I wanted to see
you"
"Yis."
II suppose the cattle are thriving?"
They're doing well-all but that red
heifer. She's only donny."
II know. And-I must come to see her.
Yes" Somehow the master seemed iii
at ease. He had the air OF one who beats
about the BUSH Then Henry turned.
I'VE say ye didn't see her when We were
over?" he questioned. wonderingly. "Ye
passed them and niver looked at them,
The master stood accused. Never be-