Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-02-10

SHINY fashioned, with slight stoo,
to the shoulders, and both had the
lifeless compilations of those who
spend little time in the open air
They had clear eyes Of steel-blue
and the hair of the elder curled
slightly. He had, moreover, an in
significant brown mustache.
Come out in the sum-" said Ros
sitter to the one he had rescued;
It'll brace you up"
He gave the young man a helping
hand, and steadied him after he had
got upon his feet.
"Cripe, but Pm weak!" the whilom
swimmer said. you wouldn't think
it 'ud take it out of fellow So" and
he sat down near where he had laid
his clothes.
Rossiter now began to realize the
condition of his own garments.
II believe I'll have to wiring nv
things out" he remarked, "and let
them dry in the sum-" and he pro-
ceeded forthwith to put this scheme
lnCO execution.
For space little was said, the two
brothers absently watching the va
grant as he spread his worn articles
pf apparel upon the grass. Finally
the elder spoke up quickly.
How'd you happen along just as
you dido" he inquired.
"Oh, was having nap over yon-
der" answered Rossiter, waving his
hand in the direction of the elm un-
der which he had been reclining, "and
heard your brother shout
Having nap eh?" this with con-
siderable surprise, as though the
| speaker could not understand the
philosophy of mid-morning indul-
| gence of that character.
eyes, but"-with swift shift of
the topic of conversatipn-"you
haven't told me what was the trouble
with you out there" and Rossiter
nodded towards the water.
sob, cramp caught me. I must
have been too warm when 1 went in.
1t doubled me all up on one side,
and l called to Jim, who was pad
dim about in shallow water. He ran
out onto the bank scarf stiff, and be-
gan yellin' like mad. It's darn lucky
he did, guess"
AT this the younger brother
laughed foolishly.
Say" continued the elder, "you've
done me blamed good turn"
Don't mention it," said Ressiter,
interrupting him.
but, by gosh, I'm goin' tot" cried
The young man. What do you take
me for? Now, as 1 say, you've done
me good turn, and I'd like to do
you one, if You'll let me-"
He locked at Rosstter appealingly.
SWELL" said the latter.
"You're in hard luck, amt you?
No offense meant"
Rossiter lowered his eyes.
Suppose am?" said he.
SCOT anythin' at all to da3n
II had an offer this morning"
"aomethin' that you care about?"
III can't say that it is"
"Come along with us, them" this
with sudden enthusiastic burst of
confidence. "My mother nd sister
md Jim md mes goin' hep-piclSin',
We've just come up this mornin'
from FallsbNFgh down the river
where we live, and are goin' into the
country this afternoon. Fine place,
bully grub md all that. A chum
| o. mine was to have been along, but
he backed out at the last mlnute, so
it'll be all q, h, wont it, Jim?"
"spEa!" exclaimed the boy.
Rossiter was more than surprised
at this spontaneous proposal. He
was not accustomed to gratitude,
and that he should inspire anyone
with enough confidence to suggest
such an arrangement struck him
with something like amazement.
But the more he meditated upon the
suggestion the more tempting it was
to him. Three weeks and half had
yet to elapse hesare the first of Octo-
| her. Ii he should decide to return
and accept the offer made by his
brothers acquaintance, here was an
opening which would enable him to
go back with a little money IN his
pocket, doubtless mere than he could
carr, as a hastler.
SITS mighty good of you to men
tlon such thing" said he. "Are
you sure you really mean it?"
"Mean it," echoed the young man
-"well, guess,"
"Then I'M with you!" exclaimed
Rosstter, surprised the instant he had
spoken ut his own earnestness and
decision.
MY names Joe Becraft," said the
young man, land this is my brother
JIM"
| "AIine is Philip Rossiter-Phil, if
you like" said the vagabond, and
then he was suddenly conscious that
he had given his full name for the
first time in three years. Ross he
had been accustomed to call himself
when there was any question OF
identity.
''Is it good omen," he asked him
self, "or is it but the beginning OF
another failure?"
ITO be continued
.~ VI ~ -