The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-06-05
An Incident At
Beaver Lake.

her there is but one which has its hea
at clty--a city which sets like bo,
of ribbon with its ends hanging rag
gcdly on either side. This particula
CITY hae u mayor whose name is Cad
gers, and whose av0irdupois is trcmcn
dous. 1t also has a city hall whicl
might be placed entire III New Eng
land wOodshcd and still leave room fO
winters supply Of wood. And i
has corporate heart which IS out 0
all proportion to its corporate body
and moral standard which is ice
to suspicion.
One November day, when the frs
gale of the new season was sweeping
across the lake from the ice regionf
not many miles away, a woman alight
ell from the stage ut the door of the
postotlcc IN this city and inquired of
the postmaster, who came in person to
receive the mail, whether or not he
could direct her TO the hotel or board
ing place where James Clifford was
stav,ur. Whcrcupon the oiliclaps
mouth dropped open, and he stared at
her for 80 long time that pink spots
appearcd on the woman's thin cheeks,
and the soft expression IN her brown
eyes gave place to the hard expression
of anger
"Why, yes, madam,' he said at last ,
noting these signals and recognizing
there import, 81 beard there was Il
man of that name here while ago,
but he never called for his mail, and |
never saw him, and | couldn't say
where he might be stopping now, and
and reckon you'd better make in
quiries at the mayors otlice."
lie pointed the way to the city hall
watched the woman draw her thread
bare shaw more closely about her
shoulders, and re.cutered his place of
business, dragging the lcathern pouch
behind him. Curionsly enough his
forehead WAS damp with sweat.
"'rhat was nothing short of an in
spiration of mnc that sending her
down TO Cadgcr's,' he told himself
drawing Il long breath Cadaers I'll
know how to handle her, but me-
Lord. I'd rather light regiment of
drunk Indians than brack bad news to
q woman
Meanwhile the woman was entering
the mayors office, and the ponderous
Cadgers was turning slowly about tO
greet her. Cadgers never displayed pre-
cipltation in any of his mayoral func
tions, partially for the reason that i
was physically inconvcnicnt for hin
to do so, and partially because he ha(
high and fitting regard for the dignil'
Of bis position. He waved the woman
gracefully to a box by the stove, AM
listened attentively to her question
Where are you from, madam?" h
asked bluntly.
From Blue River Falls" she re
piled.
"And the postmaster, you say, sen
you to mc?"
Yes, SIR
"Thcn he Is COMPOUNDED coward
and Pm sorry | signed his petition
What, may ] ask, is this James Gif
ford's relation to you? Maybe now he's
owing you money for board or some
thing like that?'
"No," said the woman after mo-
mcnt of hesitation, " he | we're
promised to each other"
"Oh!" The light Of hope that hau
spread over the mayors counlenanc,
was eXtlnguishcd without ticker. II,
drummed deliberately with his fat tin
gers upon his knees, positive evidenc,
that his nerves were vibrating. ii,
cleared his throat. L" Madam, ther
was a gang Of men here some httl
time ago engaged in erecting an Ollie
for the Dogstal Lumber Company
which building you may have observed
near the wharf. While here thci
number was constantly being increase,
and reduced as the cXigcncies of tn,
company's various other enterprises
permitted. The company's men,
l have been informed are under annu
al contract"
Yes" interrupted the woman
Jlm's contract was for a year, but i
expired last week, and he was not in
tending to renew it. He thought h.
could pick up odd jobs to keep him 90
ing till spring, when he'll have good
place down at st. Max. It's strange
he isn't here"
The mayor drummed more vigorous.
ly. "This 10 very uncertain world
madam" he observed; "it Is, to tel
the truth, alfred uncertain. Som,
of the strangest things in it are not sc
strange when the adjoining and abut
ting circumstance 8 are known-nheml'
Some quality in his tone or in tn
expression Of his eyes caused the VIC
man to lean forward and catch he
breath sharply.
80, Sir, what is it? Don't be afrai
TO tell me. What has happened t
jim ?''
Madam, to hesitate longer woul
be unjust and cruel. BE brave
madam, / will tell you. Your love
fell into the lake last Wednesday, tn
day of his arrival here. No one sa
him when he fell. But his jacket on
vest were found on the wharf, an
were identified by the other workmei
The gang left here the following da
since which time we have spared I
effort to recover the remains of the u
fortunate man. In fact, we are no
awaiting the arrival of profession
body-hnder from Blue River Falls,
obtain whose services we have su
ms thnH =