The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-08
l.eIdV 10 RESPOND when Punch. after

WIS WOi.
No sooner were the miners safely en-
gagged with their coffee than heard
great noise Of bells and Of men shout.
ing. and on reaching the street saw
that the men from the lumber camp
were coming in. Two immense sleighs,
decorated with ribbons and spruce
boughs, each drawn by four horse
team gayly adorned, filled with some
Gftv men. singing and shouting with
al their might. were coming down the
hill road at full galloD. Round the cor
ncr they swung. dashed at full speed
across the bridge and down the street
and pulled up after they had made the
circuit Of block, to the great admira-
ton Of the onlookers. Among others,
Slavin sauntered up good naturedly,
making himself agreeable to Sandy
and those who were helping to unhitch
his team.
"Oh, you need not take trouble with
me or my team, Mike Slavin. Batch
ees and me and the boys can look after
them fne," said Sandy coolly.
This rejecting of hospitality was per-
fectly understood by Slavin and by all.
Oats too bad, heh?' said Baptiste
wickedly. And, Sandy, he's got good
money on his pocket for sure too"
The boys laughed, and Slavin, join
ing in, turned away with Keefe and
Blaney, but by the look in his eye I
knew he was playing Brer Rabbit and
lying low.
Mr.. Craig just then came up.
"Hello, boys! Too late for Punch
and Judy, but just in time for hot cof-
fee and doughnuts."
Bon! OATS fuss rate" said Bap-
tiste heartily. where you keep him?'
"Up in the tent next the church
there. The miners are ali in"
"Ah! OATS so? OATS bad news for
the shanty men, heb, Sandy" said the
little Frerchman dolefully.
"There were a clothesbasket full Of
doughnuts and a boiler Of coffee left
as l passed just low" said Craig en-
coura Singly.
"Allons, mes garcons. Vite! Never
say keelw cried Baptiste e1citedly,
stripping off the harness.
But Sandy would not leave the horses
till they were carefully rubbed down,
blanketed and fed, for he was entered
for the four horse race, and 1t behoov-
ed him to do his best to win. Besides,
be scorned to hurry himself for any
thing so unimportant as eating. That
he considered hardly worthy even Of
Baptiste. Mr.. Craig managed to set
word with him before he went of,
and ] saw Sandy solemniy and en-
phatically shake his head, saying: "Ah,
we'll beat him this dayr' And gath
cred that he was added to the vigilance
committee.
OLD man Nelson was busy with his
own team. He turned slowly at Mr..
Craig's greeting. Glow is it, Nelson?'
and it was with q very grave voice he
answered:
81 hardly know, sir, but 1 am not
gone yet. though it seems little to hold
to-
Gall you want for a grip is what your
hand can cover. What would you have?
And, besides, do you know why you
are not gone yet?''
The old man waited, looking at the
minister graYely.
Because he hasn't let go his grip Of
you"
Glow do you know he's gripped me?'
"Now, look here, Nelson, do you want
to quit this thing and give it all upT
''No, motor heavens sake, no! Why,
do you think I have lost it?" said Nei-
son almost piteously.
"Well, he's keener about it than you,
and III bet you haven't thought 1t
worth while to thank him."
"To thank him." he repeated almost
stupidity, "foF'-
"For keeping you where you are over
night" said Mr.. Craig almost sternly.
The old man gazed at the minister, O
light growing in his eyes.
You're right! Thank God, you're
rightp'
And then be turned quickly away and
went into the stable behind his team.
1t was q minute before he came out.
Over bis face there was trembling
JOY.
"Can't DO anything for you today"
he asked humbly.
Indeed you just can," said the min
lister, taking his hand and shaking it
very warmly, and then be told him
Slavin's programme and ours.
SANDY is all right till after his race.
After that is his time Of danger" said
the minister.
"pll stay with him, sir" said old Mel
son in the tone Of man taking cove
nant and Immediately set of for the
coffee tent.
Here comes another recruit for your
CORPS" | said, pointing to Leslie
Graeme, who was coming down the
street at that moment in bis light
sleigh.
81 am not so sure. DO you think
you could get him?"
I laughed. "You are a good one"
"WeN," he replied half defantly,
sis not this your fight too"
"You make me think so, though !
am bound to say hardly recognize
myself today. But here goes" And
before l knew it was describing our
plans to Graeme, growing more and
more enthusiastic as he sat in his
sleigh, listening with quizzical smile
didn't quite like.
Hes got you, too" be said Il fear
ed So"
"Well," l laughed, perhaps so. But
1 want to lick that man Sla7in. I've
just seen him, and he's just what Craig
calls him, a slick son Of the devil
Don't be shocked. BE says it is Scrip
ture."
Revised version" said Graeme
gravely, while Craig looked a little
abashed.
"What is assigned me, Mr.. Craig?