The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-07-18

cho-bustin', an eff it'll help the gang
any to have it come by red-headed
lightnin', all right"
Hes never baked at proposition
yit, firm bob-cat up" said Timber
Jack, exultantly; "an' eff he causes
Miss Merry to s'render, he'll be good
to her. We don't want to s'press her.
understan', merely to-er-to miti-
gate her, so to speak"
Again the post Office door opened,
and again she of the auburn hair is
sued an ultimatum.
"Such Of you as expect any mail
may come in now-single file, remem-
Der. No, Thomas Ketchum," holding
up warning hand, 'you amt even
had circular from n whisky-house
in year. You stay out"
"But want some terbacker," ex-
postulated the man.
'Wait till the mails distributed"
she snapped. I'm not a storekeeper
now; I'm the COMMENTS representa-
tive"
The last letter and paper were
handed out to the file that came and
went, but the crowd loitered outside
as moral support to Tom, who en-
tered last and alone. The minutes
went by, but no sound was heard
from within.
II tell We, boys" gloated Jack,
s'Tom's the one for Miss Merry. He'll
give her just that mixcher o. firm
ness an blarney that1l cam even a
red-headed woman. Why amt we
thought u this afore? While he's
courtin' her, we boys kin hev some
liberties when we come to town"
The door opened with explosive
suddenness. Tom. with petrified face
came hastily down the steps, and Miss
Merry appeared so quickly behind
him as to almost tread on his spurs.
IF any of you men want to buy
goods here, come on! If not, get
away from my premises!" Her square
jaws fairly snapped shut. Sand if
your business is done, get back to
work! Towns no place for you'll"
And Toms spirit was broken. He
took his share of the work in dull,
logged manner. that hurt his fellows.
Whatever Miss Merry had said or done
had been as an acid that bites deeply.
A smothered aversion to the woman
came to life, and among those who
frequented Waxhaw, and loitered to
trade with Miss Merry and listen to
her vinegary speeches, the Flying
Flag" men were conspicuously abb
sent. One usually transacted business
for the outfit, and even his visit was
brief.
AT first Miss Merry ignored the alb
sence of the Flying Flag" contin-
gent, but finally curiosity-a failing
common even to goddesses-mastered
her. She was handing sheaf of mail
across the counter to Timber Jack.
''The Flying Flag seems to be CIV
ing us a needed rest" she observed
sarcastically. HAS the foreman
really got them to work at last?"
They're mostly takin' turns at
nursin' Tom Ketchum in their spare
time" answered Jack, nonchalantly,
as he slowed away the mail.
"What nils Ketchum?" she queried,
shade of interest crossing her face.
Seems to hev been breakin' down
fer the las three months" replied
Jack. ''Acts jest like man / knew
at got clawed up with a wheat, an
los his sperret. Sos when cayuse
at Tom was breakin' fell on him two
weeks ago, an smashed some ribs,
he kind o give up an got fever.
We boys don't know much to do; but
Bob Vermillion, ats been boss
doctor, he fixes up some mashes now
an then. We're all sorry"
"a horse-doctor! What pack of
fools!" scolded Miss Merry. you'll
kill him amongst YOU"
Jack was at the door, but"he turned
and drawled, gently, "Oh, no, Miss
Merry; his death won't be at our
door. We all knows what's killed
Tom. He allays had more backbone
an life than any man on the range,
and no man er gang o men could do
him up hathaway"
"Who's that?" asked Sam, later in
the day, pointing across the prairie.
A blackboard drawn by a rangy sor-
rel was approaching.
"Rig b'longs to the eatin'-house at
Waxhaw," said Jack, "but 1 can't see
who's drivin,."
Just then a turn \of the road
brought the slanting sun direct on
the figure on the drivers seat. 1t
was u woman, and even at that dis
lance they could see the CLINT of
FURNISHED copper.
'Miss Nervy,"e CALCULATED Bob. "Now
we're in fer It'll"
II don't see it hathaway" answered
Jack, cycling the approaching figure
sternly. "Wee1 meet her in n body,
an calmly ask her to go back to
Waxhaw, whar her talents'll be more
appreciated. Toms he'd 'nough o. fe,
male wir-cats.n.
AS Miss Merry jumped nimbly to the
ground in front of the group, Jack
advanced trifie.
'We boys think ye'd better go back,
Miss Nervy-meanin' no disrespec.'
They amt nothin' fer we to do here"
For brief moment only Miss Merry
looked at Jack, but twas long enough
to shrivel him into nothingness.