Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-07-19
CHAPTER V.

bOrerS, and mules with the place, anu w
the hay shed stood Morris, the oVerseer,
scanning each forkful as it was carried
to the mules stables, lest a wisp should
remain on the ground. His watch was
in his hand, and as the last negro march
ed to the stable, forkful over shoulder,
he closed it with snap and went to the
corn house. There, in a file, they came
with their baskets "Where's yo' ham
per, BobT Morris called, sharply, to a
burly negro who was trying to tote"
his corn off in his shirt without being
seen. Dunno" the negro answered,
sullenly, packing the ears in the hollow
of his arm. Morris worn notebook came
out, and. pulling a pair Of spectacles from
his pocket, he laboriously entered the
charge Hugh accosted him as he strug-
gled with the intricacies of penmanship,
and they went to the cutting room, or
feed passage, together. 1t was quite dark
inside, and the cheerful sound of teeth in
the corn and the rustic of noses In the
hay and the stamping of greedy feet
greeted them. Morris, with the lantern,
made the trip down the long line to see
II any mule was off his feed.
Mr.. Maude Joined them, clad in unim-
peachable breeches, white shirt and care
fully BACKED field boots.
They went the round of the stables.
Maude was a thorough horseman, and
ne made critical examination Of all the
hunters for any sign of strain. Then
the big bell in the yard sounded, and
the hands came from breakfast to the
stable for their teams. Morris, watch in
hand, stood by the doo:, and at the min
ute cried, ''All out!' The twenty-one
mules tramped forth, with their plough
gear dangling from the names, and the
days work began.
Anybody been here, Maude?" Hugh
asked, over the breakfast table.
Lucky you asked. Old Henry was
here yesterday. Said he must see you"
HIM" Darlington muttered.
''And two men drove up here the day
before" Maude continued, between dips
into his egg. They looked like shopkeep-
ers or that class. I told them you were
not here, and they as good as told me 1
lied"
Aunt Mandy, a before-the-war Deepen
dent, and the cook of the establishment,
came in at this juncture.
There's a Teller tying his buggy in
front, Mr. Hugh" she said, briefly.
Darlington gave Maude covert look
and slipped from the room. His tenants
face expressed no emotion.
Aunt Mandy ushered in a soft-voiced
Virginian with bushy whiskers.
Hugh in?" he asked, taking a chair
"NO," Maude answered, turning away
from the table.
"Hugh's a good feller," said he of the
bushy beard, and he stared into the fire
place. He's got a little in debt. The
truth Is, he's too unsystematic. He amt
business-like, and so l had to come out
with this here levy. I'm sorry to do it,
but then it's my business" The visitor
seemed in no hurry. After a long time
he arose.
''Where re the mules?" he yawned. 81
believe the law requires me to see them
before | levy. Hulloa! who's this"
Two men came in at opposite doors.
The front door opened upon the red face
and white head of Mr.. Henry; from the
inside door came Darlington, nonchalant
and smiling.
Morning everybody" called Hugh
Henry drew Darlington aside, while
the sheriff blinked at the fire.
'Will you pay this execution" the law
yer demanded, fercely, 'or shall II"
you may. if you like" Hugh answer
ed, with laugh He stepped up to the
sheriff. Let me see your little BILL" he
said
The sheriff CROPPED uncertainty in his
pocket as he sprawled in the chair but
without success. Cant find" he muir
INJURED, and went sound asleep.
Hugh pulled a lot of papers from the
sleeper's pocket. picked out the right one,
and returned the rest. He glanced over
1t and struck Il match.
What are you doing?" cried Henry.
Settling the execution" Darlington
replied, gayly. The excitement, you see,
ends in smoke"
DO you fancy that ends it?" Henry
asked, augrily.
st ends this" Hugh said, pointing to
the ashes. Come and take a walk, my
esteemed tutor In the noble game of
poker. Sorry my friends interrupted
your breakfast, Maude If the baby
wakes, give him his bottle; and if he
seems very Predetermined, try to trade
him out of old Chunk, who has running
walk smoother than a Pullman-and can
jump, too"
Hugh must have managed to restore
the lawyers temper. for the latter was
all jokes and lazy good humor as they
came out from behind the stables into
the big pasture field where Maude was
trying to coax a big chestnut gelding into
humor for jumping.
He's in the sulkiest mood possible, y
Maude said, refining up by them, and
holding a stirrup on the toe of his boot
from which daugled a broken strap.
Mice leather one gets in America. isn't
A9 Whoa Won fooIf This follow - rho
best jumper in the string, but he's deu-
cedly hard to school,
Henry rubbed his eyes. and stood of
from the horse to get a better view of
him. We'll, if that isn't Buckingham,
the colt that cost me near thousand
dollars. not to mention running my tenn
per for life. Jump. If you want him
20 jump. just turn him loose t'other side
of a fence from cawnfeld"
Unfortunately, they don't have corn
fields on the other side of q Liverpool.