The Laclede blade., 1903-05-02

than block when they saw a bar
ber's striped pole, and entered littl,
shop where dapper young man
with elaborately brushed hair and Z
not over-clean white duck jacket
was making change for customer
whom he had been shaving.
"Hullo, Joel" said this individual
"what are you up to?"
"Oh, the mills shut down for q
few weeks, an I'm off hop-piclin
with the family" answered Becraft
''Friend of mine, here" he continued
indicating Rossiter, "wants you to
fix him up"
The BARRIERS attention was for the
first time directed to the companion
of the Becraft brothers.
"Say-" he began.
"No Jollyin', now," interrupted Joe.
"He took an oath while ago that he
wouldn't get shave or hair cut till
you cleaned your streets properly,
but he's backed out"
The barber exploded in guffaw.
"Lucky for him he has," he an
swered, "unless he means to hire out
to Forepaugh or Buffalo Bill as the
wild man of Borneo."
While Rossiter's locks were being
trimmed and his beard removed, Joe
Becraft and his tonsorial friend kept
their tongues continually wagging.
Their conversation had chiefly to do
with the town of their nativity and
a certain portion of it's inhabitants,
and Rossiter listened with not a little
inward amusement, for each young
man had, in his way, a sense of broad
humor that flashed out in their COM
ments upon people. Finally the bar
ber's task was accomplished, and he
removed the soiled apron from Ros-
siter's neck with a flourish and a
"There you are, sir!"
"Gosh!" Joe Becraft exclaimed, II
wouldn't believe you were the same
fellow"
The change in the vagabond's ap-
pearance was indeed great. His
rather large, clear-cut features
showed to an advantage without
beard or mustache, and though the
lines of his chin indicated lack of
decision, one studying his face for
the first time would have said that
it's possessor was endowed with a
strong individuality. His deep brown
eyes were laughing and grave by
III
which showed in the expression of
his mouth were not to be seen habit
ually. Dissipation had left no mark
upon his countenance, for although
at times Rossiter had imbibed freely,
he was very far from being drunk
ard; indeed, he had no special taste
for liquor, and had frequently re-
sorted to it not so much because he |
,raved it as because it took him out |
Of himself.
Becraft produced some silver and
paid his townsfellow.
"Its my treat to-day" he ex-
planned.
They now retraced their steps to
Aeneseo street, and followed this
jhoroughfare until they came to the
elaborate lift-bridge spanning the
Ontario canal. From time to time
3ecraft regarded his new friend spec
"Say," he at length broke out, as
he three paused and leaned over the
ailing, idly scanning a steam packet
hat was moored below, "you've been
sed to a different sort of life, haven't
-ou?"
Rossiter did not reply at once.
"Yes," he said finally.
Had an education, an all that?"
"Yes."
81 thought so. You don't talk like
well, like most of the people I
now."
I'm not aware of any difference"
"Oh, yes, you are. That is, you
7ould be if you'd stop to think about
="
81 got through thinking some time
go, at least so imagined until
ltely"
"You know, an education" said Be-
raft, not needing Rossiter's last re-
lark, sis something I'm always wish .
+ had. It's great thing"
"Ive certainly not done very much
18th mine," replied the wanderer.
How'd it happen?"
"It's hard to say. ] don't doubt !
nother-you, for instance, would
ave profited by it, but as for me-" 8
e ended with an expressive shrug r
his shoulders. Z
They continued to look at the {
for several minutes r
niger, and then resumed their walk 7
wards the Cottage hotel. +
Don't b'lieve we'd better say T
lythin' about my swimmin' ex- v
,rience to Ma, Jim," observed Joe Il
ecraft, as they left the main street t
r the narrower thoroughfare O
here the hotel they sought was v
tuated. Like as not she'd have q n
ue fit" n
''Bet she would" replied Jim. c
''She's pretty nervous about my
alth sometimes" Joe explained. h
you see, father died O. consump- h
,n." h
''Why should you say anything to f,
r about it?" inquired Rossiter.
so far as 1 am aware, e.
ere's not the slightest reason for h
ur doing So" Il
'Oh, but 1 want her to know some a,
y what you did for me. I'll tell @
r about it up in the hop-yard. She b
mt take on so there. l mean, she o.
mt give it to me quite SO strong r.